This is why the A259 in St Leonards has flooded - cause revealed

A section of Bexhill Road on the A259 has flooded twice since Monday (February 26) following torrential rain, with the road expected to be closed until the end of today (Wednesday, February 28).

The road, which is the main route between Hastings and Bexhill, is closed between Filsham Road and Harley Shute Road.

Southern Water said its teams attended the scene on Tuesday and revealed that the stream in the area had burst its banks, causing extensive flooding of the road.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: “We are aware of flooding in the Bexhill Road area of St Leonards. Our teams attended and found that the water course had burst its banks, but that our local network was operating as it should. We are supporting partners as they address the flooding.”

On Monday, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) was at the scene with firefighters helping motorists who had become trapped in the flood water.

An ESFRS spokesperson said: “We were called at 12.49pm on February 26 to a person stuck in a vehicle in water on Bexhill Road, Hastings. Crews from Bexhill and Seaford were in attendance.

“One vehicle and one occupant were moved to a place of safety. Crews also assisted with diverting traffic. There were no reports of any casualties.”

The flooding also affected community arts group, W.Ave Arts, which has premises in Bexhill Road.

Carol Cook, director, said: “We actually put a call out to all residents because the bank at the back was about 3 ft away from our building and that is a great concern. I feel we need to act now to stabilise the river bank for the future.

“Water was coming up through all the drains in the road. It seems to be within a specific time and subsides before the sea gates are opened. We will continue to monitor and document times and levels.

“For now this isn’t significantly impacting us, but if it continues and the road closes it may affect the amount of people we can provide to, as we will need to close our doors while this is happening. We will however, be on hand to give people lifts, like we have been doing, if they need to cross over as long as it is safe to do so.”

On its website, Stagecoach said a number of its routes will be diverted while the section of road remains closed.

It said: “Bexhill Road is closed until the close of service on Wednesday, February 28 due to flooding. As a result of this road closure buses will be diverted as follows.

“Services 70, 98 and 99 towards Bexhill will divert via Filsham Road, Gresham Way, Fern Road, Fernside Avenue and Harley Shute Road resuming normal line of route from the stop adjacent to Aldi.

“Services 70, 98 and 99 towards Hastings will divert via Harley Shute Road, Fernside Avenue, Fern Road, Gresham Way and Filsham Road resuming normal line of route from the stop opposite Cinque Ports Way.

“We regret any inconvenience caused as a result of this road closure which is beyond our control, Please follow @StagecoachSE on X for regular service updates.”

An East Sussex Highways spokesperson said: “We closed the A259 Bexhill Road on Monday evening due to surface water flooding.

“Spring tides are causing higher than normal water levels at high tide, blocking an outlet in the drainage system which means the excess flood water is unable to drain away as quickly as it normally would.

“The road remains closed to ensure the safety of road users as more flooding is expected at high tide on Wednesday.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure and will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.”