A LONG-AWAITED project to upgrade the drainage system and carry out extensive road resurfacing on Battery Hill and Fairlight Road has been completed.

East Sussex Highways began upgrading and repairing the drainage system between Martineau Lane and Lower Coast Guard Lane in August.

Following the completion of the drainage improvements, three miles of road from the junction of Lords Lane to the junction of Rosemary Lane was resurfaced. The project also included pruning back hedges and overhanging trees to help with visibility and safety, the replacement of the existing speed cushions and high-friction surfacing, and road lining.

The cost of the scheme was approximately £900,000.

Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: “I am delighted to see this extensive road improvement project in Fairlight completed.

“Work of this nature will inevitably cause disruption, and the highways team have worked hard to keep that to a minimum working day and night.

“I would like to thank the local community, businesses and road users for their patience both while this project was being planned alongside the other competing demands across the county, and over the last two months as the work was carried out.”

The improvement project also involved working with the local community to carry out pothole repairs at Hastings Country Park, and to build up verges in Rosemary Lane and Peter James Lane.

In addition, a new 124 metre footpath was constructed from Lower Coast Guard Road to the existing bridle way using recycled materials from the road resurfacing project.

Full details of the improvement programme and other forthcoming roadworks are available at www.eastsussexhigways.com.