A22 Active Travel Measures

Overview

A22 - an important strategic transport route

The A22 corridor in East Sussex is an important route linking Eastbourne in the south with Hailsham, Polegate and Stone Cross, and then beyond to Uckfield, East Grinstead and the M25 to the north.

The southern section of the A22 corridor provides access for the local communities in the south Wealden (Hailsham, Polegate, Stone Cross) and Eastbourne area to healthcare, education, retail and leisure as well as supporting the delivery of potential new housing, growth in the local economy and access to jobs.

With the anticipated housing and employment development that is planned in South Wealden and Eastbourne, this will potentially further increase the amount of traffic in the area. Therefore, without the changes proposed to the local transport infrastructure, this congestion will increase, which in turn will undermine the local economy and reduce access to key locations.

We developed and consulted in summer 2021 on a programme of junction improvements for the southern section of the A22 serving Hailsham, Polegate and Stone Cross to help reduce the current congestion, and provide for the anticipated transport demands generated by new housing and employment in the area.

The outcomes of the consultation on the junction improvements were reported to the Lead Member for Transport and Environment decision making meeting on 14 March 2022. Further details are available at: Lead Member report- 14 March 2022. A22 Corridor junction improvements proposals - A22 Corridor junction improvements proposals

In addition to the junction improvements, a complementary package of walking, wheeling and cycling improvements were identified to provide for active travel journeys in and around Hailsham, Polegate and Stone Cross.

The A22 Corridor Package of junction improvements and complementary active travel measures would be delivered through a combination of Department for Transport (DfT) Major Road Funding, and development contributions.

Proposed A22 Corridor Active Travel Measures

The A22 Corridor Package provides for and promote the use of cycling and walking near the A22 corridor as an alternative to driving through a series of proposed active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) schemes.

The following package of proposed active travel measures run parallel to the A22 corridor, connecting existing and new developments and are either new routes or include an improvement of existing routes through increased visibility and accessibility:

• Hempstead Lane: Scheme extends from the junction with the A22 and the new all moves roundabout on the Hailsham Bypass through to the mini-roundabout at Leaps Cross. The scheme comprises the introduction of traffic calming measures including 20mph speed limit and speed cushions alongside additional crossings, and a mixture of widened shared use footpaths and segregated walking and cycling infrastructure along Hempstead Lane.

Hempstead Lane overview

Hailsham Core Walking Zone: Improvements to walking and cycling facilities between the A22, Diplocks Industrial Estate, Hailsham Town Centre and the Cuckoo Trail. Improvements include new crossings, improved lighting, and segregated walking and cycling infrastructure as well as making Western Road one way eastbound between Sussex Avenue and Summerheath Road to provide a safer route for cyclists.

Hailsham Core Walking Zone overview

• Improved access to Cuckoo Trail: New access point from London Road and from the Community College as well as on-road cycle route markings on The Cedars.

Cuckoo Trail overview

• Polegate High Street to Stone Cross crossroads - Improvements along the whole corridor including:

- In Polegate Town centre, on the High Street/Station Road junction a new dedicated crossing along the southern arm of the junction.

- Around the Old Polegate Station site a new toucan crossing to facilitate movements towards an existing access path connecting to local residential streets leading towards the Cuckoo Trail to the north.

- Furthermore, widening of the existing cycle path around the toucan crossing by Levett Road to allow for a full two-directional cycle path on the south side of Dittons Road.

- Extending the walking/cycling facilities along the Stone Cross section of Dittons Road from the A22/Dittons Road junction back towards the existing facility which starts near the Townsend Way junction.

Polegate High Street to Stone Cross crossroads overview

• Dittons Road to Willingdon Drove - this comprises of:

- Improved wayfinding along the existing National Cycle Network route that runs parallel to the A22 Golden Jubilee Way.

- A new parallel crossing on Edwards Road and toucan crossing on Willingdon Drove to connect to the Cuckoo Trail as well as widening of the shared walking and cycle path along Willingdon Drove.

All the active travel scheme designs are aligned to the approved ESCC Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

These measures will:

• Encourage and improve local journeys on foot, for people with mobility issues and by bike
• Improve active travel access within and between local communities to jobs, education, shops etc
• Improve safety for pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists
• Improve people’s health and wellbeing
• Reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality

Dittons Road overview 

Should you wish to view the plans in more detail the Engineering Drawings A22 Active Travel Measures PDF is accessible at the bottom of this page.

Simplified plans are also available via the PDF links at the bottom of this page for each section of measures.

Why your views matter

Seeking views and comments

We are now seeking views and comments on this package of proposed active travel measures. The consultation on the proposals runs from 4 November to 8 December 2024. You can click the link below to complete our survey but we highly recommend referring to the plans visible within the text above outlining the measures prior to commencing your responses. The plans are also accessible via PDF links at the bottom of this page. 

In person drop in events will be held at the following locations:

• James West Community Centre, Hailsham Thursday 7 November 2024 from 2:30pm until 5:30pm
• James West Community Centre, Hailsham Tuesday 12 November 2024 from 2:30pm until 5:30pm
• Polegate Community Association Polegate Saturday 23 November 2024 from 10:30am until 2:30pm
• St Lukes Church and Parish Centre, Stone Cross Thursday 28 November 2024 from 3pm until 7pm

Paper copies of the survey are also available at the following locations for those unable to access this online:

• Hailsham Library - Southview, Western Rd, Hailsham BN27 3DN
• Wealden District Council offices - Vicarage Lane, Hailsham BN27 2AX
• Polegate Town Council office - 49 High St, Polegate BN26 6AL  

The comments we receive will help shape the final proposals and a report on the outcomes from the consultation will be available in spring 2025. The final active travel proposals will be included in the full business case for the A22 corridor package submitted to Government in autumn 2025.

Subject to Government approval of the full business case for the Major Road Network funding, these active travel measures will be delivered alongside the package of five junction improvements on the southern section of the A22 corridor.