A POPULAR market town remained 'open for business' as eight months of construction work started yesterday (Friday July 1) on a £2.6million scheme aimed at easing traffic congestion.

The work in Hailsham is expected to take 34 weeks to complete, including a five week break for the Christmas period, and East Sussex County Council aims to keep disruption to a minimum.

“Open for Business” signs are being placed around the town for the duration of the work.

Councillor Bill Bentley, county council member for Hailsham and Herstmonceux and chairman of the steering group set up by the four councils involved, said: "Keeping the town open for business and disruption to an absolute minimum is as important as the scheme itself."

Improvements include changes to the road layout and the number of parking spaces in the town centre, plus new pedestrian crossings on the High Street, Vicarage Lane, Vicarage Road and George Street and additional disabled parking and loading bays.

Councillor Bentley said: "This project gives us an exciting opportunity to improve the appearance of the town centre so it remains an attractive place in which to live, work and shop, with all the benefits to the economy that brings.

"With significant new housing development, Hailsham will continue to grow and this will result in increased traffic in the town centre.

"This scheme will help to reduce congestion and ensure we can cope with an increase in traffic, while improving the area for pedestrians and those using public transport.”

The work will be carried out in phases with a break of more than a month at the end of the year to allow traders to take full advantage of the festive season.

Access to all of Hailsham’s free car parks will be maintained for the duration of the work.

All work is expected to be completed by February 28, 2017.

The cost of the scheme will be partly funded by housing developers provided work takes place in the next 12 months.