RESIDENTS have voiced their frustration over a "congestion nightmare" caused by people trying to get into The Range's new store.
The Range in The Drove, Newhaven, opened its doors yesterday to the delight of customers from across Sussex.
However, there are reports that the A26/B2109 roundabout is being blocked by cars attempting to get into the retail park.
The AA reports slow-moving traffic across the town as people flock to the new home store.
Sussex Police said: "We understand it causes disruption and it is not ideal for road users, however we cannot stop people from visiting the store or manage the traffic to enable this to run any smoother.
"It is a temporary disruption and traffic should eventually subside."
Hi, I understand this will be frustrating for other road users however it is not a road incident that the Police would manage and with the store's new opening it would be expected there would be some congestion but this will be temporary. Thanks. Sussex Police.
— Lewes Police (@Lewes_Police) June 4, 2021
About 80 new staff members have been employed to work in the store and have been busy preparing the shop ahead of the launch.
The Range will be open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Sharing a picture of the congestion at the roundabout, Twitter user @Sussex_SX326, a Sussex 4x4 responder, said: "It's a congestion nightmare and I would not be surprised to see an RTC (Road Traffic Collision) there within a week after today's 20min observation.
"The entry/exit would have been better suited on Railway Road or even merged/cut through with the Lidl, KFC, Factoryshop parking to have 2 ways in/out.
READ MORE: First look inside The Range in The Drove, Newhaven
"The little mini-roundabout was already blocking up most (busy) days and this is definitely not helping."
Another Twitter user added: "That little roundabout the entrance on is going to be a nightmare.
"Such a poor place to have an entrance."
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The Range was contacted for comment.
Customers braced the wet weather yesterday to become the store's first.
The brolly-wielding and eager shoppers waited for as long as 30 minutes in the heavy rain ahead of its 9am opening.
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