Tree planting toimprove road

The programme will eventually see 108,000 trees and shrubs planted, as part of East Sussex County Council’s pledge to plant two trees for every one removed for work on the new road.

The environmental work being carried out will create 47 acres of woodland and see extensive hedgerow planting to provide cover while improving views and reducing traffic noise.

Meanwhile, favourable weather conditions have enabled progress on the construction of several bridges as well as significant work at both ends of the new highway, to be named Combe Valley Way.

Bob Pape, the county council’s Link Road project manager, said: “The early spring-like weather has given us an opportunity to move forward and I am pleased with the progress that has been made this month.

“The tree and shrub planting programme is a vital part of our commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of the scheme.”

Other works completed this month include resuming work on the remaining earthworks along the line of the new road and progressing work on the Ninfield Road Bridge where the beams have been installed and work to construct the new deck is underway.

The main digging operation has been completed at Hillcroft Farm Cutting and highway drainage installed.

The Link Road is expected to bring 2,000 new homes, 3,000 jobs and more than £1 billion of economic benefits.