No signs for businesses hit by A27 road closure

Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Lewes, Jason Sugarman, called last week for the Highways Agency to look again at what it was doing.

A letter from Tracey Arnold, at the Highways Agency, told him it was not possible to erect signage advising that there are shorter routes available than the proposed diversion route, as this would lead to confusion and the possibility of large vehicles finding their way onto inappropriate roads.

'Signage has been placed east of the closure to advise that businesses are open as usual.

'Further signage has been placed west of the closure at Beddingham and Berwick roundabout advising that businesses are open as usual and indicating that the A27 is closed at the junction with the A2270 in Polegate.

'We are unable to place signs giving information about specific businesses or villages,' she wrote.

She added that it was sometimes necessary to close roads to carry our works safely. 'In these instances some inconvenience is inevitable,' she said.

Polegate county councillor Stephen Shing has criticised the Highways Agency for its lack of direct control over the re-direction of traffic whilst they undertake work, at weekends, at the junction of the A27 and A2270 there.

He said: 'Residents were horrified this weekend when a large supermarket delivery vehicle was allowed to attempt to gain access via the small residential roads on Stud Farm '“ at 1145 at night.

'I have insisted that the Highways Agency take charge of this situation to ensure that no further traffic is diverted on this route. The residents are horrified '“ and quite rightly so.'