A two-year battle continues by residents in Polegate to improve safety measures on the Cophall Roundabout.
More signage and improved road markings are required as a matter of urgency, accord- ing to local resident Graham Leeper who has been campaigning local councillors and authorities to improve the Hailsham Road junction of the busy roundabout.
Email correspondence seen by Hailsham News suggests Highway authorities are aware of the problem of drivers using the incorrect lanes to enter the roundabout, causing ‘a high accident rate’.
Mr Leeper says signage and road markings should force traffic entering the roundabout from Hailsham Road to use the right-hand lane, leaving the left-hand lane for drivers turning left only. Currently, both lanes are being used to enter the roundabout causing
numerous accidents on the junction.
Supports of Graham’s campaign have taken to Facebook to air their frustrations. Jules James said: “The whole roundabout is a disaster. No one knows which lane to be vin, no clear markings. I’m surprised there haven’t been more serious accidents on it to be honest.
Local resident, Caroline Clark, commented: “It’s a terrible junction! I nearly had a car run into the side of me again the other day, I had my baby grandson in the back and they would have hit the door by him.”
Councillor Oi Ling Shing wrote to East Sussex Highways on behalf of the community in an attempt to get the junction layout, or signage changed to make it safer. How- ever, a reply from Highways England said: “These improvements are dependent on the widening of A27 southbound exit and the roundabout being resurfaced, which was proposed as part of the A27 East of Lewes Major Project, under construction at this time. For efficiencies, our proposals have since been handed over to be delivered as part of the A27 East of Lewes Major Project and are currently under review. Whilst, these improvements are under consideration which we believe will influence the bad driver behaviour experienced we’re not seeking to install further signage.”
Graham Leeper told Hailsham News: “The solution is simple. The current road markings are almost non-existent and need repaint- ing. This alone will hopefully help new users of the roundabout to use the correct lane. A ‘left-hand lane for left turn only’ sign before the junction would also go a long way to sorting the issue. After all the millions of pounds spent on the recent improvement project, you’d think it would be easy to give the junction a bit of attention before a serious accident happens.”
Peter Phillips, Network Highways, route manager, South East, told us: “Safety runs through everything we do at National High- ways and we’re aware of the issues at this location. The East of Lewes Major Project is making changes to one of the roundabout exits and this will involve changing the lining on the Cophall Roundabout.
When making modifications to our Network we carry out Safety Audits of those changes to ensure the continued safety of all road users. We will continue to monitor the safety of this location and look at ways to encourage motorists to alter their behaviours and follow the correct lane discipline.”
