Welcoming completion of the first phase, Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead County Councillor for Transport and the Environment, said:” This ambitious scheme is attempting to woo shoppers into the area by creating a pleasant environment with a properly organised traffic system.
"The scheme went ahead after extensive public consultation but we are aware it hasn’t all been plain sailing. I would like to thank the traders for the robust debate that has taken place over the last couple of months. There was disruption because of the road works and there are still some concerns, particularly about traffic flows. The County Council will continue to monitor these to make sure the scheme is working efficiently.
"The next phase is to make junction improvements at the pier and this will not go ahead until we are happy that we have a workable solution.”
Public consultation has again been carried out on the possible reopening of Queen’s Gardens and Colonnade Road. Opinion was divided with approximately two to one in favour of reopening the roads. The County Council will publicise the Traffic Regulation Orders to reopen the roads and if there are objections the County Council Planning & Highways Sub-Committee will decide whether the roads should be reopened.
The Improvements to Seaside and Terminus Roads aim to encourage more shoppers to the area and boost the local economy. They include safer crossing points for pedestrians, wider pavements and new street lighting. Parking has also been re-organised to help shoppers, and business deliveries.
The works on Seaside Road have been jointly funded by East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne Borough Council and English Heritage. The Terminus Road works were funded by the County Council.
Notes to editors
The scheme was identified in 1999 when the local community was invited to participate in the development of the Eastbourne Urban Area Local Transport Plan.
Wide ranging consultation with both local residents and businesses has followed. In March 2002, an evening surgery was held at TJ Hughes to obtain the views on the problems in the area and how they could be addressed.
In October 2002, an evening exhibition was held at the same venue where a range of options for Seaside Road and Terminus Road were displayed and comments invited.
The plans were also displayed for a three-week period in Eastbourne Borough Council’s offices with comment forms available for the public to express their views.
Further individual meetings took place in early 2003 with local councillors, traders and resident groups to finalise the design.
A drawing showing the final scheme has been on show throughout the construction and updated weekly.
The public consultation period for the possible reopening of Queen’s Gardens and Colonnade Road closed on the 22 September 2004. Consultation forms were delivered to 920 residents and businesses in the area and 24 responses were received. The results were: 16 in favour of reopening the roads; 6 against reopening the roads; 1 for reopening Queen’s Gardens but not Colonnade Road, and 1, don’t know.
Reference:
04/316/JW
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