ANGRY villagers are staging a demonstration today against controversial plans to install three sets of traffic lights on its much-loved medieval high street.

They argue the picturesque village of Alfriston is threatened by East Sussex County Council’s plan.

Conserve Alfriston will be demonstrating outside East Sussex County Council’s offices to protest against the plan.

Spokesman Bill Rendall said: “The plans to install three sets of traffic lights go against the wishes of many of Alfriston’s residents.

“Consultation with residents has been inadequate as no alternative to traffic lights was considered.

“The scheme is unnecessary and we have proposed a less draconian plan which would preserve the special historical atmosphere of the village and respect its community spirit.

“This alternative plan has not been fully considered by the council, despite its own policy of localism and the expressed wish of many residents that it be explored.

“I will speak at the meeting, explaining local objections to the scheme.”

East Sussex County Council is looking at the feasibility of placing six traffic light from Weavers Lane to Star Lane, various permanent street signs and extended double yellow lines through the main street.

Mr Rendall said: “This presents potential dangers at peak times because long queues will build up.

“Drivers will take less care if green lights make them assume the road ahead is clear and businesses will experience major difficulties in loading and unloading supplies, affecting the village economy.

“There is also a threat to pedestrians in ‘the narrows’ where drivers will assume they have priority.”

Conserve Alfriston says the answer is to reduce the speed limit to 20mph, enforce the limit, enforce parking restrictions and reduce the weight limit to prevent traffic of more than 7.5 tonnes coming through the village.

The council is proposing that a trial traffic signal scheme should take place alongside a further four week trial of a 20mph speed limit so the community can consider the two schemes independently of one another.