February 17th, 2017.

Peacehaven Focus Group release:



Residents groups have launched joint petitions to East Sussex, Lewes and Brighton and Hove City Councils to carry out a new detailed traffic study of the A259 South Coast Road between Newhaven & Brighton Marina, because they believe the original study is flawed and the road is already at full capacity and therefore the petition calls for any further development to be halted until a new traffic study is carried out.

In a statement last week an ESCC spokesman said: "The council had limited resources and a detailed study would be very costly to complete and is not a priority at present time and the South Downs National Park limits the construction of a new relief road. Therefore, our approach to tackling congestion is to improve existing infrastructure by increasing capacity at key junctions, to ensure developers provide suitable bus services, pedestrian and cycle improvements to mitigate the impact of new housing schemes.We are also calling for the Department of Transport to support a new dual carriageway north of the existing A27."

Vivian Carrick, Secretary of Peacehaven Focus Group, in response to the comments above said: "We are not against housing development, but is must be with suitable infrastructure.

"ESCC knows that the south coast road is the only way in and out of Peacehaven, Telscombe, and East Saltdean, and gave information which LDC used to plan proposed housing developments of approximately 900 homes in Peacehaven between 2015-2030.

"The improvements in infrastructure which ESCC state are minor alterations to Sutton Avenue roundabout in Peacehaven and Telscombe Cliffs Way junction with the south coast road, pedestrian and cycle improvements, which shall have a miniscule effect to mitigate traffic congestion compared with the planned housing developments. At the moment the bus service serving north Peacehaven is poor, especially travelling to Newhaven.

"All these measures will not mitigate the impact of traffic arising from new housing schemes, and it is impractical for many people to travel to work or schools by bus. If you are stuck in traffic queues on the A259 coast road you are unable to reach the A27, as mentioned as a solution by ESCC above."

In addition to planned developments in Peacehaven are hundreds of houses proposed in Saltdean, Rottingdean and Ovingdean and over 1000 new homes in Newhaven, of which many residents shall use the South Coast Road between Newhaven and Brighton.

Therefore, we call upon residents and commuters to sign 'THE BIG PETITION' on-line petition for both ESCC, LDC and BHCC. Also, paper petitions can also be signed in Peacehaven at Acorn Chiropody & Podiatry Ltd, Coffee Haven, PC Help, Bonnies Newsagents.

The above petitions come at an interesting time as prospective local candidates seek election to East Sussex County Council in elections to be held in early May 2017 and the electorate would like to know if the local candidates support the above petition's requirements.


For further information visit: www.peacehavenfocusgroup.co.uk