Local MP declares 'traffic crisis' in Newhaven as daily congestion chokes town centre

Newhaven MP, James MacCleary, has spoken out on worsening traffic congestion in the town centre on the A259. Queuing traffic throughout the day is causing frustration and delays affecting local businesses and residents.

Newhaven is a key transport hub with the A259 and A26 meeting in the town plus bus routes and a port with daily ferry crossings to France. It is also one of the main industrial centres for East Sussex providing employment space and jobs for the county.

The chronic congestion is happening on a daily basis restricting business growth in the town as well as having a detrimental impact on air quality impacting on the quality of life of residents.

James MacCleary, MP for Lewes constituency, including Newhaven, said: "Newhaven is a busy town and that is a good thing. It has always been the case that there is congestion during peak times and that was understandable given the major transport routes running through the town. However, now we are facing a traffic crisis in the town as long tailbacks and congestion have become common throughout the day.

"We have worked hard to change the perception of Newhaven and there is so much to be positive about including our new health hub in the town centre, a refurbished Fort opening in February, and new facilities on our seafront and ongoing discussions to regain public access to our sandy West Beach. However, this is all being undermined by the traffic crisis on the A259.

"There isn't an easy solution, but I recently shared news that the Department of Transport may not even fund the very moderate improvements that were proposed as part of a recent study on the road. I am calling this a crisis as we need to see urgent and substantial intervention to improve the situation before the road just becomes a huge traffic jam putting local firms out of business and polluting our air. 

"As a local resident in the town I see it every day and we need a real plan to deal with overloaded roundabouts and the pinch point on the swing bridge. Until we see real proposals to get the traffic moving, it seems understandably absurd for the County Council to be planning to reduce road capacity even further with new bus lanes. I am writing to the new Transport Minister and the County Council to ask for urgent action to fix this crisis."