Speed Management Programme

Funding of £500,000 has been allocated to a three year Speed Management Programme to review speed limits across the county’s A and B class road network, assess whether existing speed limits are appropriate and identify areas where they could be reduced or made more effective.

The Road Safety Team have now completed the appraisal process which assessed each road against a prioritisation framework. This took into account a range of factors such as the character of the road and the environment, the average speed of vehicles, the likely number of vulnerable road users, facilities such as schools, shops and medical facilities in the area and the existing crash record.

Through this process a priority list of 16 sites has been identified which will be taken forward over the first two years of the Speed Management Programme. Further sites will be assessed and prioritised in future years. Improvements that will be introduced include extensions or reduction in speed limits, Vehicle Activated Signs, road surface treatments, and new signage and lining.

Traffic regulation orders

To put in a new speed limit or amend the length of an existing speed limit on the public highway, a Traffic Regulation Order must first be made. A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Traffic Management Act 2004 and other enabling powers.

A TRO involves a legal procedure that requires a two stage consultation process. The first stage is consultations carried out with a number of statutory consultees. If this stage is successful, the second stage of consultations involves, the displaying of public notices on street, online and in local newspapers to ensure that the general public are given the opportunity to comment on the proposals. 

Consultations

Consultations on the 13 sites where a new speed limit or the length of an existing speed limit has been proposed will begin in 2025 with the sites at the top of the list being considered first. The consultation process for each site will vary depending on the level of support or objection received during the consultation procedure. Any objections that we are unable to resolve will be dealt with at a Planning Committee meeting when the decision will be made whether or not to proceed with the proposed changes.

 The 13 sections of road due to be consulted on are;

  • B2169 Bayham Road, Bells Yew Green
  • A272 Curtains Hill/Main Road, Hadlow Down
  • B2096 Battle Road (Cade Street), Heathfield
  • A267 Mayfield Road/Wellbrook Hill, Five Ashes
  • A267 Mayfield Road/Heathfield Road (Cross in Hand)
  • A259 Pevensey Bay Road/Eastbourne Road, Pevensey Bay
  • A21 Sedlescombe Road North (near Harrow Lane), St Leonards
  • A268 Hawkhurst Road, Flimwell
  • A272 Station Road, Chailey
  • A267 Horam Road, Horam
  • A22 Horney Common Road, Maresfield
  • A269 Ninfield Road (Lunsford Cross) Bexhill
  • A272 Pound Green, Buxted/The Toll, Hadlow Down

A further 3 sites have been identified for measures to improve compliance with the existing 30mph speed limit. These sites are:

  • B2087  Flimwell
  • A272  Hadlow Down
  • A275  Danehill

The works proposed at these sites include measures such as improved signage, amendments and additions to road markings and red surfacing to highlight the existing speed limit and aim to encourage drivers to comply with it. These measures do not require a Traffic Regulation Order and we are working to put these measures in place by the Summer 2025.