Traders count cost of roadworks

Local businesses have been concerned about the ongoing roadworks - first on the bridge, and now in South Way - which, they say, has cost them thousands of pounds in lost sales.

The chamber is now asking the county council to look at ways of advertising the fact that the town centre is still open because shoppers are passing by and going elsewhere.

'We are open and we need people to support their local traders,' Mr Amy said. 'The last thing we want is shops going out of business.'

The current roadworks, which are hampering trade are, however, intended to open up Newhaven town centre and improve business.

In a letter to the chamber, John Robbins of the county council's highways department, said that locals have, for a long time, 'bemoaned the decline in the town centre, and many people attribute this to the ring road which, they argue, strangles the town centre'.

And for some pedestrians, attempting to get to the shops the choice is between 'a bleak footbridge, an intimidating subway or a dash across two lanes of fast-moving traffic' Mr Robbins has been told.

There have been many calls for the town centre to be made more accessible, as well as studies by consultants and local authorities. Now, Mr Robbins explained, following an exhibition in January outlining measures for an improved town centre core, the first phase is being carried out.

Work at the junction of South Way and Bridge Street is to enable a new access from the ring road into Bridge Street.

Phase two of the project will see environmental improvements to Bridge Street and the High Street, plus traffic signal control at the Denton Island junction.