BUILDING a new bridge may be the solution for traffic chaos at one of the county's worst bottlenecks.

Temporary traffic lights are to be installed at Exceat Bridge, situated between East Dean and Seaford, for four days this week - Thursday until Sunday.

That is because of the expected 250,000-plus visitors coming to the four-day Airbourne Show in Eastbourne, and thousands of extra motorists will be using this stretch of road.

But now discussions have taken place between various agencies regarding a long-term solution, and a bid has been submitted for possible funding.

The bridge, which is next to the Cuckmere Inn at Cuckmere Haven, would be built on a site away from the existing one, as opposed to knocking the existing one down and rebuilding it on the same site.

It would be built on the right hand side of the existing bridge as you drive towards Seaford.

County councillor Stephen Shing said: "Highways are investigating various options, including the introduction of a new off-line bridge north of the existing one.

"This would provide a two-way traffic flow on this section of the A259 and also improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

"However, any such scheme would need to take into account the surrounding area which lies within the South Downs National Park."

The Argus reported back in April that more than 2,000 people had signed a petition calling for traffic lights to be installed at Exceat Bridge, situated between East Dean and Seaford.

The road gets blocked every day, especially during the rush hours, and fed-up drivers have had enough.

Councillor Stephen Shing said that permanent traffic lights are not the answer because this would lead to more queues coming out of Seaford towards Eastbourne.

He said: "The bends on this approach would obscure any queues here and it is likely this would lead to shunt type crashes."

East Sussex County Council has confirmed it has submitted a bid to the Local Growth Fund for funding.

A spokesman said: "A joint bid has been submitted through the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership for £13.5 million of government Local Growth Fund cash.

"This is for schemes to 'support housing and employment growth' by improving the transport network in the Newhaven, Peacehaven and Seaford areas.

"It includes a number of measures to 'improve movement and access along the A259 corridor', one of which is the replacement of Exceat Bridge."