Traffic fears over park-and-ride bid

An application to Lewes District Council proposes a 100 space car park with shuttle bus to Lewes prison for staff of Longley Kier, contractors at the prison and room for three containers.

It will be on Firle Estates land below the roundabout.

The area is currently subject to delays because of extensive roadworks as the Beddingham flyover is built.

Sy Morse-Brown, of Wallands Crescent, has a business in the area and said there were already traffic problems.

He said: 'Considerable time was spent at the public inquiry into the A27 Improvements discussing the already unacceptable traffic through Southerham.

'With the support of East Sussex County Council a width restriction was provided between Cliffe Industrial Estate and Southerham to prevent all

but private cars from shortcutting between the A26 and A27.

'Since then one of the industrial units has been taken by a business providing children's

play facilities and there are regularly 50-60 cars parked in the estate and along Southerham Lane.

'Any additional traffic from whatever source would be unacceptable.

'The arrival and departure each day of 100 cars in this new proposal plus the additional

journeys ferrying the staff to and from Lewes Prison will cause a disastrous increase in traffic along the narrow lane through this rural settlement.

'The A27 scheme which is now under construction and due for completion in August 2008

includes a "no right turn" at the junction of Southerham Lane and the A27.

'This means that any vehicles wishing to reach Lewes Prison will have to drive all the way to Beddingham and back.

'There is already enormous congestion at Southerham roundabout due to the road works.

'Doubtless cars will be tempted to cut through the Cliffe Industrial Estate to avoid this and will cause additional difficulties at the junction with the A26.'

A spokesman for Longley Kier said the scheme would cut traffic problems.

He said: 'Longley has applied for planning permission to use a plot of land for temporary parking and storage while carrying out building works at HMP Lewes.

'For security reasons there is limited parking facility at the site itself, and as we hope always to be considerate of our neighbours

Longley is attempting to create a short-term space in a bid to minimise traffic in the town and alleviate any impact on local parking.'