MOTORISTS in Uckfield are being warned of possible delays as work is set to begin on a roundabout to serve a new housing development in the town.
The seven-month scheme is being carried out by infrastructure firm Mildren Construction Ltd on behalf of Welbeck Land, which is building the new 1,000-home Ridgewood Farm housing development.
The work to install a new roundabout on the A22 Uckfield bypass is due to begin on Monday, August 17, and will be carried out in phases, with completion due by February 2021. A reduced speed limit of 30mph will be in place to protect workers for the duration of the scheme.
During the first phase, traffic will be reduced to one lane with traffic lights in place during off-peak times, while during the second phase the road will be subject to a series of overnight closures.
Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for transport and environment, said: “This work is being carried out not by the county council, but by Mildren Construction on behalf of the developer.
“However, it will have an impact on our roads and therefore we will be monitoring the scheme as it progresses, to ensure all works are to the required standard.
“We will also work with the developer and contractor to ensure any disruption to motorists and local residents is kept to an absolute minimum.”
During the first phase, due to last for three weeks, traffic will be reduced to one lane between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday, with two-way traffic lights in place.
The second phase of traffic management, from September to February 2021, will see traffic flowing in both directions but with narrowed lanes.
From September to December, the narrow lanes will remain in place and a series of night time closures will happen from 8pm to 5am, with the A22 closed and traffic diverted via Uckfield town centre.
Overnight closures will be timed to avoid late night shopping and any other events in the town centre in the run-up to Christmas. Signs will be in place on the A22 to advise motorists before and during the work.
The new roundabout is being funded by the developer. More information about the housing development is available at www.ridgewoodfarm.co.uk There is also a web page giving information about the roadworks at http://community.mildrenconstruction.co.uk/projects/ridgewood-farm-uckfield/
At present, it’s not anticipated that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will have any impact on the scheme, but any changes will be notified via social media or on the East Sussex Highways website at www.eastsussexhighways.com