Newhaven Port Access Road

History of the scheme

What is the scheme’s history and when did it get planning permission?

In June 1994, the County Council’s Highways and Transportation Committee approved 4 route options for the Eastside Distributor Road (as the Newhaven Port Access Road was then known) for consultation. These options comprised:

  • an eastern alignment
  • a central alignment
  • 2 locations for a link between the distributor road and Beach Road

Following public consultation in December 1994, the Committee resolved to approve the eastern alignment as the route for the Eastside Distributor Road. It should be noted that the northern and southern links to Beach Road were proposed in addition to the Eastside Distributor Road, not as an alternative to it.

Planning permission for the Newhaven Port Access Road was:

  • first granted in 1996
  • renewed in 2002 and 2007, when construction started but was not completed

Delivery timeline

  • 2020 – Construction complete
  • January 2019 – Main construction commenced
  • Summer 2018 – Funding decision
  • Spring 2018 – Advance translocation of species
  • Spring 2018 – Submission of business case to the Department of Transport (DfT)
  • February 2018 – Advance vegetation clearance completed
  • Autumn 2017 – Detailed Design completed, construction works tendered
  • April 2017 – Newhaven Enterprise Zone established
  • Summer 2016 – Lewes District Council Joint Core Strategy adopted by Lewes District Council and South Downs National Park
  • Spring 2016 – East Sussex County Council Local Transport Plan Implementation Plan published
  • Late 2015 – Construction of Phase 1 completed by developer
  • Autumn 2014 – Local Growth Fund monies provisionally awarded to the scheme through Coast 2 Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP’s) Strategic Economic Plan
  • 2012 to 2013 – Scheme details reviewed and funding allocated from East Sussex County Council Capital programme
  • 2007 – Planning permission renewed and construction started but was not completed
  • 2002 – Planning permission renewed
  • 1996 – Original planning permission given for the Newhaven Port Access Road

Panoramic progress photographs

See a selection of panoramic progress photographs taken in 2019 and 2020.

Scheme details

What route does the road take?

The first phase of the road up to the Pargut Roundabout was completed in 2015. We are now looking to complete the route with a bridge over the Newhaven to Seaford railway line and Mill Creek. This takes the road into port land to the south, linking to the East Quay area.

The scheme is 700m of single carriageway road, with an adjacent footway and cycleway.

The new road rises from the Pargut Roundabout. It crosses the Newhaven to Seaford Railway line and Mill Creek on a new 120m long, 3-span bridge and ends at a new port roundabout just south of Mill Creek.

Site Plan DRG 5A928/13/2 [1.0 MB] [pdf]

Bridge DRG – 5A928/102/1 [323.8 KB] [pdf]

Why do we need a bridge?

Other routes have been looked at for the road over the years. However, none deliver the full benefits that the approved scheme does. Routing the road north of the railway was an option that has been considered. However, that would still bring traffic out onto Beach Road. This was always intended in addition to the full Newhaven Port Access Road. Not as an alternative to it.

This route would still require significant earthworks to overcome the Pargut flood bank. It would also likely require the demolition of some industrial units. Port traffic would still have to cross level crossings. Nationally, Network Rail are increasingly looking to close level crossings, or limit their use.

The approved route for the road:

  • avoids any level crossings
  • bypasses the residential area completely

Finally, the land over which that route would cross is an allocated site for development. This means to re-route the road through there would also restrict the development potential of that site.

What environment mitigation was undertaken?

The planning permissions considered all the impacts. This included the visual impacts from the surrounding areas. Environmental mitigation was provided within the Ouse Valley project completed some years ago. We also instructed ecologists to look at whether any further measures are now needed.

We carried out ecological surveys to understand the biodiversity of the area. This ensures all necessary measures are being taken to protect the various species present.

The scheme includes a new cycleway and footway alongside the new road. This will link up with existing footpaths in the area, both north and south of Mill Creek, to provide new circular routes. Landscaping will also be provided to screen the traffic from view.

Post-construction report

In May 2024, a one year post opening report was published. 

Post-construction panoramic photographs

See a selection of panoramic progress photographs taken in 2019 and 2020.