Uckfield traffic improvements 2012
We asked for your views about our plans to improve traffic flow in Uckfield.
This consultation closed on Monday 23 April 2012.
Consultation results
We received 572 responses to the consultation. A summary of the results shows preferences for,
- Option B, car parking – 51%
- Option D, Southern road – 37%
- Option A, Smarter Choices – 33%
- Option C, Northern road – 23%
Full details are available in this report,
- Uckfield Traffic Improvements – Consultation results [197.2 KB] [pdf]
Background information
Uckfield town centre already suffers from congestion and with more housing being built, traffic will only increase. To keep Uckfield as a vibrant and flourishing town we need to take action now.
There are a number of things we could do, which are set out below. Each option could be introduced on its own or together with one or more of the other proposals.
- Option A – Smarter Choices (making different travel choices)
- Option B – Providing more parking spaces
- Option C – Northern road
- Option D – Southern road
Our proposals
Option A – ‘Smarter Choices’ – making different travel choices
Travelling by car is easy, but contributes to congestion and pollution. Congestion makes journeys slower and raises the cost of transporting goods. Buildings, plants and wildlife are all affected by increased vibration, noise and exhaust fumes.
To help people make ‘Smarter Choices’, we could introduce changes in Uckfield such as:
- making it easier to walk and cycle, by improving pavements and cycle routes
- encouraging car sharing and introducing car clubs
- improving facilities for bus users, with better bus stops, real-time information and more buses on rural routes
Smarter Choices could reduce car journeys by between 1% and 3%. It would not solve all the congestion problems, but could be combined with any of the other options. The cost of this option would be about £3 million.
Option B – Providing more parking spaces
Most parking in Uckfield is at the northern end of the town, which means travelling through the town centre in order to park.
There is an opportunity to build a new car park with 130 spaces at the southern end of the town, on land near the station. This would reduce congestion in the town centre, and:
- reduce traffic at the junction of Bell Farm Lane and the High Street
- provide parking near the railway station
- reduce on-street parking
A new car park on this site would not solve congestion issues alone. It would also have an impact upon the flood plain and may attract more traffic to the town. The cost of this option would be about £1 million to £2 million.
- View map of Option B – Providing more parking spaces [1.0 MB] [pdf]
Option C – Northern road
A road between the traffic lights in Bell Farm Lane to the centre of the High Street. The route is yet to be decided and would be subject to discussions with landowners.
This road would be sympathetically designed and pleasant for cyclists and pedestrians as well as encouraging low vehicle speeds. This option would:
- reduce traffic at the junction of Bell Farm Lane and the High Street
- reduce traffic through the High Street
- provide pedestrian crossings at all junctions
- allow technology to prioritise buses at key junctions
- have less impact on the flood plain than other options
This option could have an impact on Holy Cross School, Tesco, High Street properties at Civic Way junction and Luxford Field. The cost of this option would be about £5 million to £8 million.
- View map of Option C – Northern road [1.0 MB] [pdf]
Option D – Southern road
- Phase 1 – a road from Bell Farm Lane roundabout travelling south with a bridge over the river
- Phase 2 – a road that bridges both the river and the railway
Both phases would link into the southern end of the High Street. The High Street between River Way and Mill Lane is shown as being closed to traffic but open to cyclists and pedestrians, but could be left open for traffic under Phase 1. The High Street would have to be closed to traffic if the railway line was reinstated.
Network Rail’s study said that there is currently no business case to reinstate the Lewes to Uckfield railway line. However, if this changes, Phase 2 would bridge the railway line. The location of our proposed Phase 2 bridge is very similar to the one in the
This option would:
- reduce traffic at the junction of Bell Farm Lane and the High Street
- allow better pedestrian facilities in the High Street
- have no impact upon Holy Cross School and Luxford Field
This option would have an impact on the flood plain, pub, petrol station, shops, parking, access to Waitrose. There would also be environmental and visual impact.
Phase 1 would cost around £5 million to £8 million. Phase 2 would cost around £15 million to £20 million.
View maps of Option D – Southern road:
- Map of Option D – Southern road (Phase 1) [2.7 MB] [pdf]
- Map of Option D – Southern road (Phase 2) [2.7 MB] [pdf]
Who could take part?
We asked for the views of everyone, particularly those who live or work in, or travel through Uckfield.
Background information
In November 2010, we carried out traffic surveys in an area that included the town and the bypass. The results showed that changes need to be made to accommodate both existing traffic and future growth. See our page,
What happens next
The outcome of this consultation and the action plan for the next steps were considered at the meeting of the Lead Member for Transport and Environment – December 2012.
Enquiries
If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Transport Development Control:
- Telephone: 01273 482 254
- Email: Transport Development Control
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