Update: The results of the consultation showed strong support for the proposals to restrict longer HGVs in Rotherfield. 97% of the 304 people who responded to the questionnaire were in favour of the ban.
A request for clearer signage on the A26 was made by Crowborough Town Council.
On 19th September a ban on lorries over 10 metres in length was approved at the Lead Members Meeting for Transport and Environment. The matter will now progress to detailed design and construction.
Plans to ban some HGVs from struggling through the narrow streets of an East Sussex village will go on display later this month.
East Sussex County Council will hold two consultation events in Rotherfield at the end of this month, over proposals to stop HGVs causing gridlock and damaging buildings.
Residents and business-owners will be asked for their views on plans to ban all HGVs over 10 metres long from using the village as a through route.
The proposals are in response to a petition started by residents demanding the County Council do somthing to alleviate the problems of heavy traffic damaging buildings. The King’s Arms pub in Station Road has been hit about seven times in about the same number of years.
Cllr Carl Maynard, the council’s lead member for transport and environment said:
We have worked closely with the parish council and the community to ensure that any proposals we put forward tackle the issue without having a negative effect on business in Rotherfield.
The plans include banning only lorries travelling through the village, allowing those drivers delivering to local businesses to continue to use village roads.
It is anticipated the ban, along with new road markings, will reduce congestion by limiting the number of HGVs and minimise the risk of damage to buildings.
The ban will not affect waste tankers travelling to the old landfill site near Dewlands Hill, public transport vehicles, local agricultural vehicles or delivery vehicles.
As there is a height restriction of 12’9’’ at the railway bridge on the B2100 Crowborough Hill, Town and District Cllr Greg Rose is concerned that a solution for Rothefield will have a knock-on impact for residents of Crowborough:
Whist I fully support Rotherfield in trying to resolve their HGV issues, a solution for them which causes the lives of Crowborough’s residents to be worsened isn’t something I can support.  Particularly if this means additional HGV’s directed down Western Road / Walshes Road / Fermor Road, which is complete lunacy and therefore something I would most strongly oppose.
Cllr Maynard added:
A complete ban on HGVs in Rotherfield is not an option as this would have a massive impact on business and the local community, but we are confident that the steps we are suggesting will address many of the issues in the village.
I would urge as many people as possible to visit the exhibitions, find out more about the proposals, speak to county council officers and give us their views. The feedback we receive will help shape the final design of the scheme.
The consultation exhibitions will be held at Rotherfield Village Hall in North Street on Friday 29th April from 2pm to 7pm and on Saturday 30th April from 10am to 2pm.
Questionnaires will be available at the exhibitions and can be returned to the county council by Friday 20th May 2016. For those unable to attend the exhibition, plans and an online questionnaire will be available at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/haveyoursay.
Once all responses have been received and reviewed, a report on the outcome of the consultation will be published on the county council website.
Reader might also like to see Petition to modify the railway bridge at Jarvis Brook.
Have Your Say – add your comments below or join the conversation on Facebook.
