Bexhill faces summer of road chaos

And it's all because of a safety scheme which local critics fear will be of limited value.

Signs on Barnhorn Road and Pevensey Marsh Road warn of road works beginning on Monday.

The signs say 10 weeks but the Highways Agency says they will last for 14, taking the scheme into October.

Lane restrictions will apply in each direction throughout the works. A stretch of trunk road from the junction with Coneyburrow Lane to the Hooe turn-off will be affected.

The Highways Agency says the measures will create a shared footpath and cycle route alongside the A259 which, with better speed signage and anti-skid road surfaces at key points, will make the trunk road safer and cut speeding.

But, while welcoming attention to safety, Cllr Brian Gadd, a county member, and his wife Cllr Joanne Gadd, a Rother member, say the measures will not go far enough.

Twice the couple thought they had sold their Barnhorn Road home only for the deal to fall through because buyers were concerned about the weight of passing traffic. Neighbours have had four deals fail for the same reason.

Joanne initially approached the Highways Agency for information on behalf of an elector worried about the effect of stored plant and materials during the work.

A copy of the Highways Agency's plans arrived on Wednesday. She has asked for an on-site meeting with an agency engineer and Rother colleagues on Tuesday.