Residents fears after Hastings '˜rat-run' closed

Closing the end of a '˜rat-run' between Hastings and Westfield has led to safety concerns from angry residents.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Jan 2016, 12:15 BST

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Stonestile Lane has been closed on The Ridge to build a new pub and restaurantStonestile Lane has been closed on The Ridge to build a new pub and restaurant
Stonestile Lane has been closed on The Ridge to build a new pub and restaurant

People living on Stonestile Lane are annoyed East Sussex County Council sanctioned the closure at the junction with The Ridge to build a new pub and restaurant.

Residents fear the treacherous conditions on the road mean frustrated drivers using Stonestile Lane as a rat-run will cause accidents. Carole Prescott said: “They say they shut the road for health and safety reasons but what if we need the emergency services – what about our safety?

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“I just feel like we’re being pushed from pillar to post in the hope that we go away.”

Mrs Prescott said they were given no prior warning about the closure and when it happened, residents warned about the possibility of accidents if drivers were travelling too fast.

Their fears appeared to come true as residents reported a crash involving multiple cars on the road on Tuesday morning (January 19), apparently due to the icy conditions.

A county council spokesman said the junction is temporarily closed to allow for development work on a new pub and restaurant.

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Highways lorries have not been able to grit the road as they were not allowed in by the contractor, until now.

“We are aware of the issues some residents have experienced and have now come to an arrangement with the developer whereby they will allow us access so we can grit Stonestile Lane at the same time as we grit the diversion route,” the spokesman said.

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Related topics:HastingsWestfieldPeopleEast Sussex County CouncilFacebook