2009 press releases

17th July: Local MP praises Highways Agency's u-turn on A27 lane closure

Lewes MP Norman Baker can today reveal that, following a phone discussion with the Highways Agency, it has now abandoned plans to close one half of the busy single carriageway A27 between Berwick and Firle during the holiday period to conduct a survey of motorists.

The Highways Agency was planning to carry out surveys on the A27 between Berwick and Firle to enable it to assess future road safety improvements. This would have required the closure of one lane of the carriageway, with two-way temporary traffic lights in operation. The work was to have taken place during daytime off-peak times for four weeks between 9.30am and 3.30pm in August.

Norman Baker said: "It was madness to suggest that this work could be carried out on the A27, when it is obvious that August is a peak holiday time with families travelling at any time throughout the day. Because of the recession many more families will be travelling throughout the UK this summer instead of taking holidays abroad, and this kind of road closure would have caused chaos and misery to many holiday makers, let alone companies and other individuals who would be going about their usual daily business.

"I am very pleased that the Highways Agency has reappraised its decision and will now begin smaller works in August with further works to continue in September, neither of which will involve lane closures."

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