MOTORISTS are facing further disruption in Hailsham as major gas works on South Road move into their next phase, while residents have raised concerns about vehicles ignoring closure signs and turning in residential roads.
The junction of South Road and Diplocks Way is now closed while contractors lay a new gas main as part of SGN’s major programme of works in the area.
The latest closure has been in place for four days and has led to increased congestion around Hailsham as traffic is diverted onto alternative routes.
Residents living close to the works have also raised concerns about cars and HGVs continuing towards the closure despite road signs, before having to turn around in nearby residential streets.
One resident in The Holt told Hailsham News: “We’re now getting lorries all day turning round in our road whilst kids are out playing during the holidays.
“I have been asking East Sussex Highways to increase signage or make it clearer from Eagles Roundabout to avoid this. I fear something dreadful will happen.”
It has also been reported that the BP petrol station on South Road has blocked one of its entrances in an effort to prevent motorists from using its forecourt as a cut-through.
The disruption comes as SGN progresses with its major project to replace a nearly 100-year-old gas main running through the South Road area.
Work began on July 27, with SGN warning beforehand that the project would have a high impact on traffic.
The programme is being carried out in phases affecting South Road, Diplocks Way, Gordon Road and Ersham Road.
The latest stage involves replacing the gas main across the Diplocks Way junction, requiring Diplocks Way to be closed where it meets South Road. SGN’s original programme indicated that this part of the work would last approximately three weeks.
South Road also remains closed to through traffic between South Close and Ersham Road as part of the first phase of the project, with the closure originally expected to last around eight weeks.
The combination of restrictions is having a wider impact on traffic around the town as motorists seek alternative routes.
Bus services are also being affected by the closures. Brighton & Hove Buses services 28 and 500 are being diverted and are unable to serve Gordon Road, Ropemaker Park or Ingrams Way.
Passengers are being advised to use Hailsham Police Station for buses towards Eastbourne or Hailsham Tesco for services towards Brighton. Stagecoach service 52 is diverting via Ersham Road and Stone Cross in both directions between Dittons Farm and Gordon Road, while services 51 and 53 are diverting via the A22 Hailsham Bypass, Diplocks Roundabout and Diplocks Way in both directions between Woodside Hall and Gordon Road.
SGN says the work is necessary because the existing gas main is nearly a century old and can no longer be subject to long-term repairs.
It is being replaced with plastic pipe which SGN says has a lifespan of more than 80 years and will provide a safer and more resilient gas network for local homes and businesses.
SGN previously said: “We appreciate that this is a busy location and that the road closures will have a high impact on traffic.
“We’re committed to completing the project as quickly and safely as possible, while keeping disruption to a minimum.”
The overall programme is expected to continue until the end of October, with further phases of the gas main replacement affecting Gordon Road and Ersham Road.
