Major road project opens nine years late

Businesses claim the delays have caused a reduction in their earnings

A major road designed to improve traffic flow in East Sussex will open on Tuesday - nine years later than scheduled.

The Queensway Gateway Road, which will connect the A21 Sedlescombe Road North and Queensway in Hastings, was first set to open in November 2016.

The final section of road was the subject of an unsuccessful judicial review, meaning the project was delayed.

East Sussex County Council said the road would open in August this year, then pushed the date back to September.

Sticking to its promise of launching in September, the council has confirmed the new road will open on Tuesday - the last day of the month.

A council spokesperson said the latest delay was due to "a number of technical challenges" at the junction of the new road and the A21.

"We appreciate that the project has caused disruption and apologise for this but with the road open, local people will now be able to enjoy the benefits," they added.

But the council has warned that "a small amount" of overnight work still needs to be completed and that the public will be notified of dates when they are confirmed.