A road designed to improve traffic flow and transport links between Bexhill and Hastings is set to open to traffic tomorrow (Tuesday, September 30).

The completion of the junction linking the new Queensway Gateway Road to the A21 has been complex and has opened later than expected having faced a number of technical challenges.

Since taking on the final phase of the project, East Sussex County Council and its contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places have carried out remedial work along Whitworth Road, installed new drainage and gullies as well as a new traffic island and signals.

A new public right of way and cycle path were created and improvements were made to the A21 Sedlescombe Road North with the installation of new traffic signals.

Before work on the necessary relocation of a water main could begin, 3,000 cubic metres of earth – enough to fill eight standard swimming pools, had to be removed from an embankment.

A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council, said: “As well as making travel between Bexhill and Hastings quicker and easier, the new road will unlock land for much-needed employment space.

“This has been a significant and complex project. We appreciate that the project has caused disruption and apologise for this but with the road open, local people will now be able to enjoy the benefits.”

As well as the new road being opened to traffic, temporary traffic restrictions including those on Whitworth Road and Maplehurst Road have been removed.

The new junction includes adaptive traffic signals designed to adjust signal timings based on the current traffic conditions. The new signals can take time to fully adapt to traffic patterns, and these will be checked during the period of monitoring.

Overnight work will be needed to enable a small amount of work to be completed and details of this will be shared with the public when confirmed.

Ends.