Uckfield traffic improvements 2012
Latest
Find out more about the completion of stage 2 of the project in our latest press release, putting final touches to Uckfield improvement scheme
Uckfield town centre improvements
We are working with Wealden District Council and Uckfield Town Council to reduce traffic congestion and improve transport infrastructure in Uckfield town centre.
The Uckfield Town Centre Highway Improvement Scheme is the first phase of improvements in the town. Phase 2 (the Town Centre Reinvestment Project) is the wider regeneration of the town centre.
Phase 1 has 3 stages:
- Stage 1 – Framfield Road to the Bell Lane junction – completed in November 2014
- Stage 2 – Bell Lane to Church Street junction
- Stage 3 – Bus station improvements
Please see our Stage 2 - list of works, and background to the improvements, below.
- Frequently Asked Questions – Highway Improvements, Stage 2 [63.1 KB] [pdf]
Stage 1 – list of works
Stage 1 of the scheme was completed in November 2014. Improvements included,
- new street lighting
- new drainage
- wider pavements with better visibility for drivers of pedestrians when leaving the proposed new station car park and the junction of High Street/River Way,
- new paving slabs in the High Street
- new traffic lights at Bell Lane and Framfield Road junction
Stage 2 - monthly updates
August 2016
Colas, the contractors, are due to start road resurfacing work during the week commencing 22 August.
There will be full one-day road closures with associated diversions in Church Street (between the High Street to Regency Close), Bell Lane (between the High Street to Bell Farm Lane) and High Street (between River Way to Bell Lane). Resurfacing in the High Street itself will be ongoing and access will be maintained via the existing one-way system.
- Monday 22 August – No diversion on existing one-way system
- Tuesday 23 August – Bell Lane junction closed with diversion marked
- Wednesday 24 August – Civic Approach access closed, use Library Way instead
- Thursday 25 August – Church Street junction closed with diversion marked
- Friday 26 August – No diversion on existing one-way system, resurfacing work will be completed in the High Street
Colas is now working between Kamson’s Pharmacy and Barclays Bank. This phase has seen old kerb stones removed and replaced with new kerbs and Yorkstone paving slabs. Work on the phase between Peacocks and Freeman & Foreman is also underway. Work has included removing the safety barrier, installing a new kerb line and new signs, carrying out drainage work at Bell Lane junction.
July 2016
Work progressed up to Kamsons Pharmacy, on the eastern footway and moving swiftly northwards. Works on the northern footway at the junction of Bell Lane, outside Shoe Zone on the southern footway, and outside Boots are complete. Temporary traffic lights were in place at the Bell Lane junction along with the southbound one-way traffic management already in place.
All of the planned trees have now been planted.
The one-way system southbound on the High Street remained in place and with two-way traffic flow north of Library Way.
June 2016
The works moved to the eastern side footway, along with the traffic management and Civic Approach is now open. Starting at Freeman Forman the works are moving swiftly northwards. The Bell Lane junction phase of High Street was brought forward in order to enable to programme to progress. Temporary traffic lights were put in place at the Bell Lane junction along with the southbound one-way traffic management already in place.
May 2016
The works progressed well on the western footway continuing to Church Street. The works on Civic Approach were brought forward in order to minimise disruption later in the scheme. Changes were made to the programme in order to complete the most disruptive elements of the work on the western side of the High Street before moving back down to start work on the eastern footway.
April 2016
We completed the works on the High Street between Superdrug and The Old Post office, and we continued the work northwards towards the Church Street Junction. See the press release:
March 2016
Work progressed northwards as far as the old Post Office building. Works during this phase crossed Civic Approach and during this time there will be no left turn from Civic Approach onto the High Street.
February 2016
The Uckfield Highway Improvement Scheme from Superdrug was started on the western footway travelling north up the High Street.
Bus services
For details of how bus services are affected, including a revised timetable, see the Uckfield road closure document on
Car parking
Network Rail constructed a new station car park in the old station goods yard site, creating approximately 174 new parking spaces.
Wealden District Council has updated Luxford Field car park with new controls on the length of stay. Commuters will have the option to use the new station car park.
Temporary short-stay parking for shoppers in the High Street
A section of newly-completed layby in the High Street has been made temporarily available for parking, up to an hour.
Motorists are being urged not to exceed the one-hour limit, otherwise the scheme may have to be reviewed. It is planned to try and keep open some High Street spaces for shoppers where possible, as the work moves up the High Street.
Stage 2 - list of works
See the works on a plan:
- Uckfield High Street Phase Plan [1.6 MB] [pdf]
Stage 2 of the scheme started in February 2016 and is expected to last about eight months. Improvements will include:
- wider pavements, with Yorkstone slabs
- traffic lights that can adapt to the amount of traffic
- removal of unnecessary signs and disused street furniture
- improved bus stops with shelters and seats, and real-time bus information
- a 20mph speed limit in the High Street and Church Street
- improvements to pedestrian crossings
- better street lighting
- new street furniture such as bins and benches
- tree planting to help with flooding and improve the overall environment
Stage 3 - Uckfield Bus Station
Following on from stage 2, there will be a new bus station layout and a larger shelter for passengers.
Background to the improvements
We want to make Uckfield town centre more attractive to shoppers and visitors, and improve traffic flow and access to public transport. This will help deliver economic growth, jobs and a thriving economy for Uckfield.
Significant housing developments are taking place, which will result in increased pressure on the roads and transport infrastructure. The cost of the improvements is around £3.5 million and is funded by contributions from the housing developers.
Press releases
See the website of the Uckfield newsroom,
Contact us
If you have any questions about this project, please contact:
- Telephone: 0345 60 80 193
- Email: Uckfield town centre improvements