ROAD improvements in Lewes will take place at the same time as installation of fibre broadband cabling – to minimise disruption to residents.

East Sussex Highways is resurfacing Fisher Street, Market Street and West Street, with work starting on Monday, August 21 2017 and due to last three weeks.

The work was scheduled after consulting Lewes Town Council, which agreed with the plan for the three town centre roads to be resurfaced together.

The dates have been co-ordinated by the county council with Virgin Media, which will carry out work to install fibre cables at the same time, as part of a programme to expand its network in the town.

Cllr Nick Bennett, East Sussex County Council lead member for transport and environment, said: “The work we are carrying out will provide a safer, smoother surface for some of the busiest roads in Lewes.

“While there will be some disruption, co-ordinating our work with Virgin Media means we can minimise the impact on residents and avoid the need to dig the road up twice.”

The work will begin in Fisher Street, which will be closed for 24 hours a day from 7am on August 21 to 6am on August 26.

Market Street will also close for 24 hours a day from 7am on August 29 to 6am on September 5, while West Street will close overnight for six nights, from September 5 to 10 from 7pm to 5am.

Neil Bartholomew, regional director for the South East at Virgin Media, said: “Our aim is to bring faster, more reliable broadband to more homes and businesses in Lewes, with as little inconvenience for the community as possible.

“Co-ordinating with East Sussex County Council to lay our fibre cables during their roadworks is a very sensible and welcomed way to minimise disruption while ensuring the speedy delivery of better internet connectivity.”

Diversion routes will be in place during the work, which will also see pavement resurfacing in Fisher Street and drainage repairs in West Street.

Parking will be suspended in Lancaster Street, which forms part of the diversion route, but residents can use other car parks within their zone from 5pm to 9am.

More information is available at www.eastsussexhighways.com/events/fisher-streetmarket-streetwest-street-lewes

Diversion routes

Diversion routes will be in place during the road closures as follows:

Fisher Street closed
Traffic will be diverted via High Street, Western Road, Spital Road, Nevill Road and Offham Road

Market Street closed
Traffic travelling eastbound along High Street will be diverted via Fisher Street
Traffic travelling westbound along High Street will be diverted via High Street, Western Road, Spital Road, Nevill Road and Offham Road

West Street closed
Traffic will be diverted via Abinger Place, Lancaster Street and North Street