New Gunters Lane survey will take in full facts

Their voice and the efforts of their county councillor have now won an important concession.

Around 25 volunteers took part in the bid to win changes in traffic-calming measures proposed for the Gunters Lane area which include a one-way section controlled by traffic lights.

On Tuesday morning, King Offa Division county member Cllr Graham Gubby accepted the petition from John Hollands, who leads the protesters, for presentation at County Hall.

John had wine and nibbles laid on to thank those who had worked to produce the petition.

Cllr Gubby had encouraging news for them.

Road studies in the Gunters Lane area are now being expanded to take into account the effect when the 37m new High School is built in Gunters Lane.

He told protesters: "This is NOT a deferral. It is NOT a delay. I have been promised a full re-appraisal with traffic flows and traffic management."

Cllr Gubby had earlier told the Observer: "I had a meeting with the lead county cabinet member, Cllr Matthew Lock.

"He has agreed to a full re-appraisal of the traffic management and road-calming measures.

"I have already received an e-mail from the officers confirming that the consultants

have been asked to expand their traffic flow and speed assessment work to include the whole of that corridor from Ninfield Road down through Little Common Road right the way through to Little Common and to ensure that when they do the modelling they assess the impact on the side roads and in particular the likes of Glenleigh Park."

He said the aim was to retain islands in Gunters Lane in the scheme which would be invaluable in assisting pedestrians to cross in safety.

"There will be a full reassessment because when the first assessment was done and this project was first designed the county had not made the decision for the building schools for the future project to be at the High School.

"I am extremely pleased at this outcome."

Cllr Gubby emphasised that he did not want anything to prejudice the building of the new High School, which was essential for the children of the town.

John Hollands said: "This petition has been signed by both residents and visitors who use Gunters Lane.

"The ESCC survey only contacted some of the residents living in Gunters Lane and a small number of houses in Glenleigh Park Road.

"The many roads that link into Gunters Lane were not consulted and many who have signed this petition were totally unaware of this proposed scheme.

"In fact one family on the new estate lives 10ft from Gunters Lane and had no knowledge of this survey.

"Over 150 signatures from people who used Windmill Drive post office and come from various parts of the town as it is easier to park here than the central post office.

"One-Stop shop in Turkey Road also supplies the local area and again residents from surrounding areas use Gunters Lane to access this and other local shops.

"Residents in other local roads are very upset and concerned that people trying to avoid grid-lock in Gunters Lane will use alternative 'rat-runs' through their residential areas.

"Charters Ancaster, who have sent off their own petition, would be between the proposed traffic lights and would not be able to determine when it was safe to proceed.

"Gunters Lane is a main thoroughfare for residents from a wide area. They travel to and from Bexhill and are obviously aware of the dangers at this bend.

"The bends in the lane do have a calming effect and to overcome the narrowness of the lane it has been suggested that the lane be widened.

"Even if there is sufficient land to do this and provide a footpath (preferably on both sides of the lane) this would increase traffic speeds and create even more danger.

"It has also been suggested that temporary lights could be installed to prove one way or the other how traffic flow would be affected.

"The ESCC survey was conducted on present use and they have described the road as 'dangerous'. Should the new school development take place in this established highly residential area, with increased daily use of Gunters Lane by potentially 2,150 children and staff, the FIRST PRIORITY has to be the safety of those pupils and staff and a free-flowing road system which does not cause havoc and grid-lock for the residents and members of the public using Gunters Lane and the surrounding roads."

Also attending the meeting were Cllr Paul Lendon and Cllr Michael Ensor.