Road to Nowhere – Lost in Time
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN
Work on the Queensway Gateway Road, the so-called road to nowhere, which began last September and was initially due for completion before Christmas, has faced further delays. The project is now unlikely to be finished before September—at the earliest.
The latest delay is due to complications involving a water pipeline. A spokesperson for East Sussex Highways explained: “As with any large-scale project, the Queensway Gateway scheme is highly complex, and we have encountered several unexpected challenges, including cables and pipes that were inaccurately recorded on official plans. As part of the process, we are now working closely with Southern Water to relocate a water main.”
The spokesperson added that East Sussex Highways is “currently finalising plans for the final push to completion with the removal of 3,000 cubic metres of earth from an embankment–equivalent to about eight standard swimming pools. We are working well with partners and need to ensure we have an agreed plan and timeline in place before we reintroduce temporary traffic lights to allow us to carry out the work. Timings will be shared with the public as soon as they are confirmed. Work that doesn’t require traffic management is continuing on the site.”
East Sussex Highways acknowledge that “any work carried out on the road network creates disruption and we would like to thank the public for their patience and assure them that we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on residents and businesses, where possible, and get the new road open as quickly as possible.”
Phil Scott, Labour East Sussex County Councillor for Hollington, described the traffic congestion as “unacceptable.” He said the ongoing roadworks were severely impacting local businesses, threatening jobs, and negatively affecting the daily lives of residents.
His views were echoed by local Labour MP Helena Dollimore. She has written to Southern Water’s Chief Executive, Lawrence Gosden, seeking clarification on whether the troubled utility company has played a role in the setbacks and says she is currently awaiting a response.
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