RESIDENTS and motorists in Hastings are being advised of temporary traffic measures being put in place as part of a highway improvement scheme in the Old Town.

On Monday, February 1 2016, East Sussex County Council begins an eight-week programme of work in High Street, part of a package of measures approved in January 2014 following a public consultation.

The scheme will see a new pavement built between George Street and Swan Terrace, widening and repaving the footway around the junction of High Street and the A259 and repaving the footway between West Street and George Street.

Traffic management measures will be in place during the work, including temporarily closing part of High Street during the first phase of the scheme.

Cllr Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council lead member for transport and environment, said: “This scheme is aimed at improving conditions for pedestrians and making the Old Town a more attractive place.

“There will be some temporary disruption while the work is carried out but we’d ask people to bear with us as we complete this scheme, which will have lasting benefits for residents and visitors to Hastings alike.”

The scheme is being carried out in four phases, with traffic management measures including closing High Street north of George Street and south of Swan Terrace during the first phase, which will see a new footway built on the west side of High Street and is due to last for three weeks.

During this section of work, High Street will be made one-way southbound between Roebuck Street and Courthouse Street, with two-way traffic using a single lane controlled by temporary traffic lights between Swan Street and Courthouse Street. The pedestrianised area of Courthouse Street will be temporarily opened to traffic.

The second phase, lasting two weeks, will affect the eastern side of High Street around the entrance to East Street, while phase three, lasting one week, will see work from the western side of the junction of High Street and the A259 to West Street.

The fourth and final stage will affect the western side of High Street between West Street and George Street, and will last for two weeks.

During the final three phases, High Street will be one-way northbound between the A259 and north of the East Street junction, meaning vehicles entering High Street will only be able to exit in a northbound direction.

Local residents and businesses in the affected areas have been notified about the work. More information is available by calling the county council’s highways contact centre on 0345 60 80 193 or via Twitter @esccroads