Construction for Exceat bridge on A259 near Seaford to begin next year

Planners are looking to preserve the “unique nature” of the area around the Exceat bridge near Seaford which they say is ecologically sensitive.

Negotiations are ongoing to find new land to replace “environmentally important wetland that is needed for the construction of the bridge”.

The new bridge, which is being funded by an £8 million government levelling up fund, will be wider than the current 150 year old structure and have viewing platforms, as well as a wider footpath on the south side.

• READ MORE: Plans for new £8 million bridge for A259 approved by national park

There will also be crossing points near the bridge, as well as bike racks and seating outside the Cuckmere Inn.

Councillor Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “For years we have been working on options to address the bottleneck created by the existing one-lane bridge at Exceat and I am pleased that we are able to move forward with our plans.

“But we recognise the huge responsibility we have to protect the unique nature of the area and ensure that the work we do not only benefits those using the road, but also protects and enhances this ecologically sensitive location.

The current bridge was built in the 1870s

“We are keen to get started on construction but will only do so once we have carried out the extremely important and necessary survey, investigation and mitigation work.”

The planning application was accepted by the South Downs National Park Authority on December 8.

The county council said detailed designs for the bridge are expected to be completed this year.

Temporary traffic lights are in place on each side of the bridge. Some people say they have helped ease congestion (Image: Transport Futures East Sussex)

The work will include surveys of protected species and habitats as well as the installation of ground water level monitoring equipment in the area.

Cllr Rupert Simmons, lead member for economy at the county council, said: “It will be some time before people will begin to see evidence of construction work, as there are a number of important steps to take before that happens.”

The current bridge which used to have a give-way system but now has traffic lights (Image: Google Maps)

Some people have called for the current bridge to remain with the traffic lights, stating that it has helped solve congestion problems and “bad driver behaviour”.

The bridge should be completed by 2026 if construction starts in 2024.