About the Bexhill to Hastings link road
We are planning to build a road that will provide an alternative route between Hastings and Bexhill. This will help reduce the congestion on the A259 and will benefit the economy in East Sussex by improving access to homes, jobs and essential services.
Benefits of the link road
Building the link road will bring real benefits to Bexhill and Hastings, including:
- faster and more reliable access to the Conquest Hospital
- easier access to jobs, particularly on some of the major industrial estates
- creating access to allow others to develop much-needed housing
- reducing the number of accidents on local roads
- re-routing traffic from less suitable roads.
It will also improve the air quality along Bexhill Road (A259) which is an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). This means it is an area where we are trying to improve air quality and reduce pollution.
Current timetable for building the road
We aim to start building the road in summer 2010. The first stage of the work will be preparing the land, such as re-housing wildlife. Construction is due to start in January 2011.
These dates are subject to the results of the autumn 2009 Public Inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Orders.
Cost of building the road
The link road will cost about £99.8 million, bringing substantial economic and other benefits to both towns. As we have agreed with the Department for Transport that this is a priority project, it means that most of the cost of the road will not be paid for directly by East Sussex residents.
What do local residents want?
In a 2004 consultation, over 2,500 out of 65,000 local residents sent us their comments. 84% of residents are in favour of a link road. 24% of residents were in favour of the ‘Modified blue route’.
Find out more about the autumn 2004
Bexhill to Hastings link road consultation.
Link road route
The road will link the outskirts of Bexhill and Hastings, improving congestion and air quality on the A259 at Glyne Gap. This route was chosen because it minimises impact on the environment and best improves quality of life for people in the area. The total length of the road will be 5.6km
Starting at the A259 in Bexhill, the road will follow the route of the disused Bexhill to Crowhurst railway line, passing through the built up area of Bexhill.
The road will then pass around the northern side of the Combe Haven Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It will cross Crowhurst Road and the Hastings to London railway line, then run south of the Marline Valley Woods SSSI, joining Queensway just north of the existing junction with Crowhurst Road.
The rural part of the road will include a separate safe ‘greenway’ for cycling, walking and horse riding and enable users to enjoy this part of the Pebsham Countryside Park and wildlife area.
View a map showing the route of the Bexhill to Hastings link road.
Protecting the environment
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out to find ways of reducing the effect of the road on both natural and man-made features. An overview of the results of the EIA can be downloaded in the Environmental Statement – non-technical summary.
The link road team are working very closely with local authorities and other organisations including:
Together they will make sure that the link road has as little effect as possible on the valley and that it is protected so future generations can enjoy it.
Further information
For more information about the Bexhill to Hastings link road, please contact:
Phone: 0345 60 80 193
Email:
Bexhill to Hastings link road
