Work starts on slowing down traffic

Over the years there have been a number of accidents where children have been injured by vehicles on the busy road and parents have called for a safety scheme.

Work will include speed cushions, a raised carriageway area at the junction with Hanson Road and footpath widening to create a safe pedestrian crossing point south of the junction with Western Road.

East Sussex County Council lead cabinet member for transport and environment, Cllr Tony Reid, said: 'For some time there have been requests for traffic calming in Gibbon Road, particularly related to local concerns over vehicle speeds and the numbers of children using the road.

'These traffic calming measures are intended to ensure that drivers reduce their speeds and, in combination with other traffic management measures, make it safer for all road users.

'In particular there will be improved and safer pedestrian facilities which will assist children going to and from Tideway School.'

The work started this week and is expected take around eight weeks to complete.

A council spokesman said: 'It is likely that there will be some inconvenience during the construction for which the county council apologises. Any restriction on vehicular access to individual properties during construction will be kept to a minimum, and the county council's contractor, Edburtons, will advise householders in advance, if this is the case.

'A temporary road closure will be needed for a few days to allow for the resurfacing of the raised areas, and construction of some speed cushions. Every effort will be made to maintain vehicular access to properties during the closures, although through traffic will be restricted and a diversion route set up.

'It is expected that the closures will be implemented at weekends to minimise disruption, and will be during working hours only.'