'Fury' as major road project delayed again

A council said it was sorry for the delays

Residents and businesses have said they are "furious" a long-running road project has suffered further delays.

The Queensway Gateway Road, which will connect the A21 Sedlescombe Road North and Queensway in Hastings, was due to open on 31 August.

East Sussex County Council (ESCC) apologised for pushing that date into September, explaining that work to relocate the water main had taken longer than expected.

John Bownas, manager of the Hastings Business Improvement District, told BBC Radio Sussex people were "furious and incredulous - they simply cannot believe how long this project has taken."

Mr Bownas said traders were "incredulous"

The project was originally scheduled for completion in 2016, but the final section of the road - which was delayed by an unsuccessful judicial review - remains unfinished.

When it was announced last year, the local authority said the work would take two months.

Since then, Mr Bownas said businesses and traders in the immediate vicinity of the roadworks had seen their takings fall 20-25%.

"For one business, they told me they are down a million pounds in takings year-on-year," he said.

"It's decimated the local economy and lost jobs."

Helena Dollimore, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye said residents were getting stuck in huge tailbacks every day going to work, school or the shops.

"It is just unacceptable," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

'We are working quickly'

Announcing the latest delay, a spokesperson for ESCC said it was "very sorry", adding that it was "only a few weeks later than originally planned".

"We appreciate the frustration the ongoing works are causing to drivers and the local community," they added.

"We are working as quickly as possible to complete the last phase of what is a major infrastructure project."

ESCC has been approached for further comment.

Temporary traffic lights are in place

Contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places now needs to complete the new filter lane onto the A21, before resurfacing the junction, adding markings and installing lights, the council said.

The A21 Sedlescombe North will be closed seven days a week overnight from 20:00 BST to 06:00.

Temporary traffic signals will also remain in place during the day.

ESCC said the opening of the road would improve traffic flow and transport links between Bexhill and Hastings as well as unlock land for much-needed employment space.