PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MASHH STEERING GROUP

PEOPLE in Hailsham and Hellingly are being invited to give their views on a series of transport schemes – including major improvements to the town centre.

The plans include widening pavements and installing new crossing points, with the aim of creating a safer, more attractive environment and encouraging more people to visit the town centre. 

Also proposed are reductions in the number of on-street parking places, and introducing time limits to parking in High Street and George Street, to allow improvements to footways and crossings and to enhance the appearance of the town.

The proposals, which will be showcased at a two-day public exhibition in Hailsham, also include improvements to key road junctions around the town, as well as bus, cycling and walking improvements.

The development of the proposals has been overseen by a steering group consisting of representatives from Hailsham Town Council, Hellingly Parish Council, East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council.

Cllr Jo Bentley, chairman of the steering group, said: “The proposals will provide a welcome boost to the local economy in Hailsham town centre and improve key junctions in the town.

“I would strongly urge residents and local business people to attend the public exhibition we will be holding or view the proposals online so we can ensure local views are taken into account when finalising the designs.”

The proposals for the town centre include a new zebra crossing in George Street and making Vicarage Lane and Vicarage Road a one-way route southbound.

Proposed improvements to key junctions around Hailsham include a new roundabout at the junction of the A22 and Hempstead Lane, improvements to the junction of Ersham Road and Diplocks Way and increasing the capacity of the Battle Road-London Road Junction.

The schemes would be funded from money secured through development contributions associated with existing and proposed developments.

Cllr Carl Maynard, East Sussex County Council lead cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “With considerable new housing being planned in and around Hailsham and Hellingly, these improvements are needed to ensure that the transport system can accommodate the additional demand.”

The consultation runs from Friday, April 25 to Friday, May 23. Copies of plans showing the proposals and a consultation questionnaire will be available on the county council website at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held at the Civic Community Hall, in Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, on Friday, April 25 from 1pm to 8pm and Saturday, April 26 from 10am to 4pm.

Following the consultation, a decision about how the proposals should be progressed is expected in September 2014, with the aim of beginning work on the town centre improvements in Spring 2015.

MASHH stands for Movement and Access Study for Hailsham and Hellingly, the name of the study carried out by East Sussex County Council which led to the formation of the steering group in 2012. 

The proposals include improvements to the Hailsham to Eastbourne ‘sustainable transport corridor’, which will look to tackle the congestion problems along the key links between the two towns and improve conditions for those travelling by bus. As part of the scheme measures to improve cycling and walking are also being developed.