What Uckfield residents say about tackling traffic congestion

East Sussex County Council has released the first results of its consultation on options for tackling traffic congestion in Uckfield.

It says in a press release today that nearly 800 people visited a three-day exhibition in March where council officers talked with them about possible transport improvements and ways to encourage a healthy local economy.

People also shared their views via the council website and on Twitter and Facebook.

In total there were 572 responses, 276 online and 296 on paper.

There were four different options which included:

Option A - Smarter choices (making different travel choices)
Option B - Providing more parking spaces
Option C - Northern road
Option D - Southern road

Read more about the options in a previous Uckfield News story: Four options on improving traffic flows in Uckfield town centre.

When asked which option would address traffic congestion problems in Uckfield people responded as follows:

Extra car parking 51%
Southern road 37%
Smarter Choices 33%
Northern road 23%

Full results can be seen in this county council report.

Cllr Carl Maynard said in the press release: "“Everyone living or working in Uckfield knows the town centre already suffers from congestion, and with more housing being built, traffic will only increase. To keep Uckfield as a vibrant and flourishing town we need to take action now.

“I’m really pleased so many people shared their views on our proposals – almost 800 people is about 7% of the population of Uckfield. Now we’ll need to look at all the responses in detail.

“We know the extra car parking option is popular, and that’s likely something we can look at sooner rather than later. We will also need to look in more detail at the Smarter Choices option, and discuss with people exactly what would be most useful for them, whether that be better pedestrian and bus facilities.

“At the same time, we will continue to investigate other options, including roads, without prejudicing possible future developments such as the reopening of the Uckfield to Lewes railway line.

“Once again I’d like to thank people for taking part. All the comments and suggestions that were put forward will help us plan for the future of the town.”

What happens next?

After looking at all the comments received, the council will come up with more detailed short and long term proposals for Uckfield.

Recommendations for any next steps will be considered by the lead cabinet member for transport and environment.

The date for this meeting has not yet been agreed.

In the meantime, if you would be interested in being part of a focus group to discuss Uckfield traffic improvements, please contact the council before 31 July: 01273 482254, development.control.transport@eastsussex.gov.uk, or: BS/Transport Development Control, East Sussex County Council, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE.