Eastbourne residents call on county council to make road safe

Alan Shuttleworth with Evelyn Winter by busy Sevenoaks Road

Eastbourne residents are anxiously awaiting a verdict from East Sussex County Council on whether to put in place traffic-calming measures on a busy road near a school and play area.

The community-led campaign aims to make Sevenoaks Road, Langney, more safe by adding a zebra crossing to the recreation ground and West Langney nature area.

Concerned about speeding vehicles, residents have brought their case to be considered by a county council panel meeting on February 20 before finally being determined at a County Lead Member for Transport and Environment meeting in March.

Resident Evelyn Winter said, “Speeding is a real problem in this road. I know many people live in a state of constant anxiety, especially after a speeding car crashed into a house in Sevenoaks Road.”

Langney councillor Alan Shuttleworth has led the campaign group, which includes West Rise Infants and Junior School, Eastbourne Borough Council Neighbourhood Team, local councillors, Eastbourne Homes, Eastbourne Access Group and local residents.

Cllr Shuttleworth said, “Our partnership group has held several meetings with county council road safety officers, police, community Safety and local community representatives, before we submitted a bid for Community Match Funding to East Sussex County Council Highways.

“Local people face daily problems of vehicles speeding along Sevenoaks Road, using it as a short cut.