CALLS to lower the speed limit on the A259 are set to be considered by a senior county councillor next week. 

On Monday East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport Claire Dowling is to consider how to respond to a motion calling for lower speed limits on the way into Seaford, as well as safe pedestrian crossings on the road.

The motion, from Liberal Democrat councillors Carolyn Lambert and Darren Grover, also calls on the council to hold a road safety survey in the town.

There have been repeated crashes on the A259 on the approach to Seaford.

An elderly woman was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries after a serious crash on the A259 on December 2.

READ MORE >> Woman fighting for life after crash near Seaford on A259

The motion reads: “Members will be aware of the two accidents in two days that closed the A259 in Seaford at the junction with Marine Parade.

“Statistically, the roads in East Sussex are among the highest in the country for killed and seriously injured people. Seaford is the biggest town in Lewes district and is continuing to grow. 

“[By endorsing this motion] East Sussex County Council agrees to request the cabinet to: undertake a proper survey of the whole town, not just the Buckle by-pass, with particular focus on all the junctions with the A259, to identify the areas of greatest risk to both car users, cyclists and pedestrians, and to come up with some concrete proposals to enhance road safety;

“[Cabinet is also requested to] impose lower speed limits on the approaches to Seaford and to work with partners to ensure these are enforced; [and] provide safe pedestrian crossings at key points of the A259 including at the Bishopstone junctions.”

While the motion will be debated at a full council meeting, Cllr Dowling is asked to approve the county council’s official response to it. 

Officers are recommending that the motion should not be supported by the council, with the calls for lower speed limits considered to be out of keeping with policy.

Officers say previous requests have been made to reduce the speed limit on the A259 to 40mph, however a significant level of engineering work would be required to make this effective.

They go on to say that there is not currently funding available for new pedestrian crossings on the road and also argue that road safety surveys are already being undertaken on the A259.

In a report to Cllr Dowling, a council officer said: “Two studies are already underway or planned to consider these issues. The Transport for the South East’s Outer Orbital Corridor Study which is currently underway will consider strategic and regionally significant interventions on the A259 corridor.

“The county council-led A259 South Coast Road corridor study planned to start this year will identify, using appropriate evidence, more localised interventions for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users as well as congestion and safety measures along the corridor. 

“Both these studies will then inform the development of a business case to secure major road network funding from the government to deliver the preferred package of interventions.

“As this request is already being actioned, it is recommended that this element of the notice of motion is not supported.”

After the response is considered by Cllr Dowling, the motion itself is to be debated at an upcoming full council meeting.