Uckfield traffic survey results
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Traffic congestion in Uckfield town centre is damaging business, according to people responding to an exclusive UckfieldNews.com survey.
The survey also shows that 60 per cent of respondents believe the right turn from the southbound High Street into Church Road is a key cause of delays.
Our survey came in the wake of East Sussex County Council saying building a new road, either north or south of Bell Lane, was one of the ideas being considered to prevent traffic congestion becoming "unmanageable". See: New road could be built in Uckfield.
WE ASKED:
How bad is Uckfield town centre traffic at morning peak times (8am to 9.30am)?
You said:
Unmanageable: 3.9 per cent
Dreadful: 58.8 per cent
Manageable 21.6 per cent
No problem: 2 per cent.
You commented:
Problems around the Tesco roundabout continue to get worse, with delays due to traffic from Tesco’s, the by-pass link road and the industrial estate all trying to gain access to the High Street.
1) UCTC - cars parked opposite the turning 2) Turning from High Street into road leading to UCTC. Both are accidents waiting to happen. Otherwise I would have put manageable.
The main problem is the Tesco roundabout followed by a controlled pedestrian crossing, followed by traffic light controlled T-junction. This also knocks on to the yellow box junction at times with the junction at Church Street.
A simple one way system crossing the river in the area of the old train station and exiting at the Tesco roundabout would alleviate all of the problems. I believe that has been a viable option for tens of years but has not been acted upon.
No problem going north
Is manageable at present but more should be done to encourage people to use by-pass
WE ASKED:
How bad is Uckfield town centre traffic at afternoon peak times (3pm to 6pm)?
You said:
Unmanageable: 9.8 per cent
Dreadful: 62.7 per cent
Manageable: 23.5 per cent
No problem: 3.9 per cent
You commented:
Unless someone has dug up the road, parked badly or....
Another way out of Uckfield for school traffic other than Southview Drive would be helpful; maybe requiring school traffic to only use Browns Lane and then head for the by-pass (rather than the High Street) may alleviate some of the problems.
Fire engines and ambulances struggle now between Tesco and High Street. Will only get worse with development
The worst area affected is the roundabout at Tesco's/Bell Lane and down to the main lights. You can spend over ten minutes there.
Remove parking spaces on the High Street, cars reversing to park often cause holdups
Afternoons seem to be worse than mornings, I think because everyone pops into Tesco’s after work - which clogs that roundabout.
WE ASKED:
What causes the traffic hold-ups in Uckfield town centre? (You can give more than one answer)
You said:
Just too much traffic: 39.2 per cent
Right turn into Church Street: 60.8 per cent
Right turn into Bell Lane: 43.1 per cent
Tesco shoppers: 41.2 per cent
Bad parking: 47.1 per cent
Other: 23.5 per cent (see comments for detail)
You commented:
The mini roundabout by Tesco's is always jammed and the right turn to Church Street. These are the two worst points in my view
Delivery lorries parking on double yellow lines.
I live in Framfield and use the link road frequently to reach the by-pass and shop at Tesco. I have always objected to the link road being built and felt as soon as it was opened it would be a downward spiral where traffic was concerned. The Uckfield by-pass does not in fact by-pass Uckfield; it actually allows you to cut back into the middle of the town thus causing total blockage.
The traffic lights at the end of Bell Lane; and the fact of so few access routes into the High Street
Parents collecting children from school
Too many cars in the town are making short journeys. School-run traffic.
The right turn into Church Street can hold up traffic badly. I have sat in traffic as far back as the speed camera for approx 20 minutes and watched as the traffic lights at the Church Street junction turn green but no traffic can get through because one car is waiting to turn right for the whole of the sequence. Illegal parking is also a problem. Cars park outside Lloyds bank to 'quickly' go to the cash machine - if a car is waiting to turn right into Luxford Car Park (by the Library) at the same time, no cars can get past and the High Street is blocked. Disabled badge holders I understand are able to park anywhere. However, there are many times when they park dangerously (outside Ryan's Bakery on the High Street) causing the turning into Grange Road to be obstructed and also causing delays when parked on yellow lines outside the Cancer Research shop on the High Street, blocking the left hand lane leading up to the traffic lights outside Peacocks.
The Tesco/Bell Farm roundabout is ill-conceived! Lights set properly instead of the roundabout would solve the issues if they were linked in phase with High Street/Bell Lane.
The roundabout by Tesco is just a complete nightmare - causing problems not only getting into town, but getting around the industrial estate
Bad parking on Bell Lane means the buses can't get out. It’s pretty dangerous on that corner if you're coming from Trading 4 U or Halfords. It’s a blind corner.
Right turn into Waitrose car park.
For Church St: Phase the lights to hold northbound traffic, and allow southbound and right turns to flow. Use theTesco plan, and pedestrianise the lower High Street to do away with the lights at Bell Lane junction.
Why are parking restrictions not enforced? Eg: St Philip’s school, Newtown, cars are nearly always parked on zig-zag markings for over two hours at a time in the mornings.
Abuse of double yellow lines near Waitrose.
Lorries double park in High Street to unload causing traffic to stop and tail back. Also, people trying to park in Hgh Street cause no end of hold ups. Pedestrianise High Street and only have lorry unloading bays
Lorry deliveries to High Street shops should be discouraged at peak times. Also, a longer period needed for traffic to turn right into Bell Lane ie: the green right turn should stay on for longer.
A complete failure of the town, Wealden and county council to maintain the town’s infrastructure in line with the expansion of housing and population. A misguided belief that the Uckfield line will reopen, particularly as the current financial downturn which will take a number of years to get over means that there is no chance of private or government investment in a non-essential line.
Specifically illegal parking (particularly goods vehicles) and Blue Badge parking on east side of High Street just north of Bell Lane junction and at other key junctions and bottle-necks. Local police officer told me that they allow unlawful parking of goods vehicle "because Uckfield is on its knees"! Utterly amazing.
Church Street should be one way (towards town)
People who park illegally on double yellow lines, while they pop into the takeaway for example, need to be fined to discourage this practice. Large delivery lorries add to congestion.
School run creates most traffic as shown by peak at 3:45 - 4pm
Parents driving kids to school.
WE ASKED:
What can be done to improve the flow of traffic in the town?
You said:
Halt the development of new housing: 27.7 per cent
Improve bus services: 4.3 per cent
Build new roads: 34 per cent
Other: 31.9 per cent (see comments)
You commented:
Have filter lanes at junction of High Street and Church Road, and also teach people how to read road signs etc
Maybe a mini-roundabout by Church St. Another access road to Tesco's?
Another road into the town avoiding Tesco’s. I work in Crowborough and finish at 3pm. I never use the High Street to get home. I always use the by-pass which is a lot further for me.
Block the link road at Tesco's roundabout and make shoppers drive around the by-pass. The link road should never have been built, the by-pass, at great expense to all was built to take the traffic away from Uckfield High Street but by putting in the link road it has caused unnecessary congestion to the southern end of the town.
Encourage people to car share, especially work and school traffic
Mini-roundabouts at junction of Bell Lane and High Street
Double road to Tesco; one-way system on the High Street
By-pass around the traffic lights at Boots and Tesco roundabout
New roads to alleviate the congestion of traffic from Tesco roundabout trying to access the High Street may be helpful
Extended 'Right turn' filter light at Boots. Phasing of Framfield Road lights to prevent backing up to Boots. Re-phasing of Church Street lights to allow right turns. Reinstate traffic wardens to address yellow line parking.
Encourage walking and cycling. Encourage cars to go round the town on the by-pass; after all that is what it's for. New road linking new houses to the south of the town with the by-pass avoiding the town centre.
There could be a no right turn at the traffic lights into Church Street. Traffic could be diverted through Snatts Road. Policing to sort out illegal parking.
The only significant problem is the High St/Bell Lane junction in all directions. The Tesco roundabout, pedestrian crossing and junction traffic lights are all in too close proximity to each other. A redesign is required.
Make Bell Lane a one way road and force traffic in at Mcdonalds and out at the Vauxhall garage. This may encourage some motorists to use the A22 to get to the villages
Provide station car parking to contain in one area
I've thought for ages that there needs to be a way of getting from town to the A26 roundabout at the opposite end of the industrial estate, without having to deal with Tesco traffic. In any case, Tesco shoppers need to be routed a different way in/out, not on to the roundabout which is on top of a T-junction. Also - I believe that the T -junction traffic lights by Boots could be sequenced better. It’s a hunch, but I'm sure they could be more efficient.
A link road from Bell Lane into Rocks Park would ease congestion in the High Street and Church Street considerably.
As Tesco plan. Take the High Street traffic from NatWest Bank round the back of Tesco to join Bell Lane west of the fire station.
Tesco needs a separate entrance as the Tesco roundabout is very bad for traffic.
Until roads are improved.
Link Bridge Farm Road to Bell Lane roundabout via car park/bus station area. Build Rocks Road/A22 interchange to reduce pressure on Bell Lane junction.
Traffic lights by Boots from Tesco: make it no left turn in to High Street. Pedestrianise High Street. No right turn into Church Street by sending people via Grange Road and Hempstead Lane (or Snatts Road?)
Improve both rail and bus services to discourage parents driving their children to school and more use of public transport.
Remove the pedestrian crossing at the bottom of the steps (nr Tesco) or perhaps build a footbridge. Make the industrial estate a one-way system, or no exit the industrial estate road to the Tesco roundabout.
The Tesco plan to run a road from Tesco to Church Road would also remove town centre congestion as well as allowing an alternative route from the north of the town south
Synchronise traffic lights and pedestrian crossings to maximise traffic flow. Make Church Street one way (in to High St). Increase use of right turn filter light outside Waitrose. Restrict all loading/parking (inc. disabled) in left hand lane outside Waitrose. Yellow box Tesco's roundabout.
Enforce parking laws. Ensure that businesses use service roads or load/unload between the hours of 18:00 and 08:00. Stop ANY vehicles driving or parking on pavements.
Control parking at pinch points on the High Street by offering more off-road free parking and limiting High Street parking.
No right turn into Church Street. Join Manor estate to Framfield Road meaning UCTC traffic to Framfield, Blackboys etc doesn't drive through town.
Needs a smarter rethink of the whole flow of traffic. Not sure of the solution, though
Widen Bell Lane to allow two lanes of traffic to enter High Street. Ban right turns at Church Street. Enforce parking restrictions particularly outside Lloyds Bank and at lower end of High Street to allow both lanes to be used.
WE ASKED:
If new roads need building, who should pay?
You said:
The Government: 46.8 per cent
Local taxpayers: 4.3 per cent
Housebuilders: 40.4 per cent
Other: 8.5 per cent
You commented:
The government seems to be demanding the extra rooftops in the town, so they should pay.
County Council
Whoever it was who designed the roundabout access to Tesco’s - madness when it is so close to traffic lights and pedestrian crossings
Certainly not the existing local taxpayers when any additional traffic will be caused by additional housing
Housebuilders and government not supermarkets who only want roads that go to their car park.
I say the government........ but hey - we pay them anyway!!
Tesco - they should be made to pay for everything...
Although it's fair to say that housebuilders should contribute too but road building is a government spending issue. Guess that means we won't get a new road for a good few years
It should be a joint venture between the Government and developers.
A combination of all three
Any new roads to to take into account extending the rail line back to Lewes.
No new roads. Put any money towards our railway to Lewes and Brighton.
Add an additional road into the industrial estate via the A22 by-pass.
I note the expected roof tax from proposed developments is peanuts in comparison to proposed traffic development costs. The builders need to pay far more. The councils need to realise that the town is not supporting the population and major brands should be encouraged to invest in the town. It is well known that Tesco is per sq metre the best profiting Tesco in England.
If government allow and encourage new development - which they should not - they should pay.
WE ASKED:
How damaging to business is the traffic congestion in Uckfield town centre?
You said:
Very damaging indeed: 10 per cent
Seriously damaging: 24 per cent
Partially damaging: 52 per cent
Not damaging at all: 12 per cent
You commented:
I don't feel businesses are too damaged by the congestion but Uckfield High Street is now not a very pleasant place to be for pedestrians. The street is now too busy and stinks of car fumes.
It must put people off using High Street shops
Not so much congestion but very few car parks
The traffic and parking is so bad that I have to be very careful when I shop. More often, I don't bother shopping in Uckfield
Traffic access to businesses in the town may inhibit visitors to those businesses
Getting away with it while we keep free parking.
From my perspective, I dismiss Uckfield centre for this reason, and parking!! Sorry local businesses
What’s going to happen when Waitrose customers want to turn right
I think it’s more of a road-rage issue than a business issue. A bigger business issue would be attempting to remove free parking, which I'm firmly against.
Uckfield has a unique opportunity to develop itself into a vibrant country town, being some distance from large towns in any direction. With increased costs to travel and parking in most other towns Uckfield could serve its growing population by encouraging a more comprehensive range of shops to its already excellent leisure amenities. Improved roads and traffic management together with the ever improving public transport system would encourage more businesses to consider Uckfield a viable option and enhance local opportunities for residents.
Stuck in traffic and you actually look at what shops there are in the town.
Especially for independent shops.
But it will get worse.
We shop in Lewes or Crowborough. Far more options, less hassle. We have a business near the High Street and make sure our deliveries and collections are after 11 am and before 3 pm. A shame others can't do the same
Uckfield is dominated by traffic and is NOT a pleasant place to shop, walk or drive and parking is now VERY difficult.
However, free parking and the availability of good supermarkets eg: Tesco and Waitrose will encourage and entice new visitors to the town which will in turn benefit a variety of sole traders in the town
Notes:
Our survey attracted 52 responses. Thank you to everyone who took part.
This report and statistics contained therein are the copyright of UckfieldNews.com and must not be reproduced without the written permission of the site owner.
See also:
Results of our Uckfield car parking survey
Police pleased with Day of Action on Uckfield estate
Fabulous show from Uckfield Bonfire and Carnival Society
(Added to site Wednesday, September 7th, 2011)
