We’re coming back to a story from earlier in the year about the housing construction works on Marshfoot Lane.
The developer has been trying to keep lorry traffic under control – in the last few months, no waiting signs have been added to the road to manage the HGV traffic going to and from the building site.
But residents such as Neil Stone have been in touch with us to tell us that some lorries are causing obstructions in the road, meaning that other lorries must mount the pavement to get past them.
Residents are worried that this is dangerous and could damage the pavements making them difficult to walk on.
There are also concerns that with the rain expected this autumn, the roads nearby are being covered in mud also making driving conditions dangerous.
Mr Stone told us: “On 18th August ESCCH [East Sussex County Council Highways] declared that merely ‘jet washing’ the HGV’s was inadequate and a full wheel wash facility was required.
He added: “Nearly 4 weeks later nothing has changed and the state of the road is unacceptable to residents, as you can see from the photos.”
Residents are also concerned that potholes are not being repaired on the road. East Sussex County Council Highways are not planning to repair the road in the near future.
However, the contractors have tried to help by making their own temporary repairs to the potholes. These have not been permanent and did not last long as they were only filled with ballast and not tarmacked or finished professionally. This has meant that the gravel and ballast has come loose and spread along the road.
We spoke to Hailsham Town and Wealden District Councillor Gavin Blake-Coggins and he told us that flooding in the area is a real concern, he said: “Everything that I told them [at the time of planning approval discussion] would happen, so far has happened.”
He added: “The flooding that has become quite apparent over this last week is only going to get worse.
He also told us that he wondered where the excess water will go from more below ground excavations “especially if they start other new development in Mill Road with 220 houses”.
We have asked the developers for a comment – which we will bring you online at www.hailsham.news and in our next edition.
In the meantime, let us know what you think about housing developments in Hailsham. Especially if you see them as bringing positive news to the town – send your comments to letters@hailsham.news
