This is an re-advertisement due to an administrative error on the original survey which prevented responders from providing their full contact details.
East Sussex County Council are working in partnership with Eastbourne Borough Council to implement Phase 2b of the Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package.
The Phase 2b proposals will be funded using Levelling Up Funding from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The proposal aims to enhance accessibility and priority for walking and wheeling (people using wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility aids). It will improve connections for pedestrians and people with mobility issues in the town centre and to/from the seafront. This links with the earlier improvements between the railway station and Bankers Corner. It also links with plans for improvements between Bankers Corner and Langney Road.
The proposed scheme includes improvements to the public realm. This will use:
- new surface materials
- more trees and planters
- new seating and cycle parking
- bollards (both fixed and removeable).
The changes aim to increase visitor numbers, help local businesses and improve the public space in Victoria Place. This would enable a safer, healthier, and more vibrant town centre. People will be able to live, visit, shop, use services and spend their leisure time. It also helps to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is a legal document that controls traffic flow, parking and speed-limits. TRO's manage the road network for all users, including pedestrians.
This TRO would allow pedestrianisation of the section of Terminus Road between Seaside Road and Grand Parade, known as ‘Victoria Place’. The proposed changes that would be included in the TRO are:
- Restrict access to this section of Terminus Road between 10am and 6pm. Removable bollards will be in place for this. Outside of these hours, access will be allowed for loading and unloading only.
- Reverse the existing one way. Vehicles would enter from Seaside Road and exit via Burlington Road.
- Create a public space by closing the section of Terminus Road between Burlington Road and Grand Parade.
- Remove all on street parking bays on Terminus Road between Grand Parade and Seaside Road.
- Change the current one-way system on Burlington Road. Vehicular access to Burlington Road Car Park and Elms Road would be via Burlington Road. There will be no loss of parking on Burlington Road.
- Remove existing westbound bus stop on Seaside Road outside British Heart Foundation.
- Remove existing northbound bus stop on Terminus Road.
- Relocate two disabled parking spaces on Seaside Road from the southern side to northern side of the road
Should you wish to make comment on the proposals to Terminus Road, please complete the online feedback form below.
Please note you will be redirected to the East Sussex County Council consultation website.
The deadline for receiving comments and observations is Friday 29 November 2024.
Should you wish to make comment on the proposals to Elms Road, Elms Avenue and Burlington Road, please complete the online feedback form below.
Please note you will be redirected to the East Sussex County Council consultation website.
The deadline for receiving comments and observations is Friday 29 November 2024.
Attached are the plans detailing the TRO restrictions (including diagrams).
Click here to see all the relevant documents
FAQs
What is the Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package?
The Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package has been developed in partnership by East Sussex County Council and Eastbourne Borough Council. It aims to enhance the vitality of the town centre by:
· Reducing through-traffic;
· Providing more accessible and inclusive space for people. This is through the completion of a pedestrian spinal route through the town centre from the rail station to seafront;
· Creating new public spaces; and
· Enhancing the existing walking and wheeling environment in the town centre
Through public realm improvements, we also aim to improve the look and feel of the town centre., to create a more attractive and vibrant destination for everyone to enjoy.
What is included in Phase 2b of the Eastbourne Town Centre Movement and Access Package?
Phase 2b on Terminus Road between Seaside Road and Grand Parade seeks to improve access into and around Eastbourne town centre. It has a focus on improving the pedestrian experience and enhancing the public realm. By doing so, we aim to support retail, business and housing within the town centre.
What are the project objectives?
The project objectives are:
· Support and complement earlier and future town centre improvements (Terminus Road between Bankers Corner and Langney Road).
· Improve safety and accessibility for walking and wheeling (ease of movement for people with mobility issues/using wheelchairs, parents, or carers with pushchairs etc.). We will reallocate road space to pedestrians in Terminus Road between Seaside Road and Grand Parade.
· Complete the pedestrian spinal route on Terminus Road. This would be through the primary retail area from the rail station to the seafront
· Improve the public realm by upgrading street furniture and signage
What are the benefits of the project?
The benefits of the project include:
· Improving the pedestrian experience for all. Our proposals will enhance the experience walking and wheeling (people using wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility aids) to, from and within the town centre. Pedestrianisation of Terminus Road will complete a pedestrian spine route from Eastbourne Rail Station to the seafront. This will help to create a safe and attractive environment for journeys made by foot and wheeling through the primary retail area.
· Supporting businesses and economic growth. By pedestrianising Terminus Road and creating a car-free environment, we will increase footfall. We also aim to encourage more visitors to the town centre. We hope this will support local businesses and boost the economy.
· Encouraging active travel. We will be removing vehicles from Terminus Road. This will reduce interaction between pedestrians and people wheeling with other road users in this part of the town centre. We hope more people will consider walking instead of travelling by car, particularly for shorter journeys.
· Support accessibility. We will be ensuring that Terminus Road is accessible for people who have mobility issues. Blue badge parking spaces will be moved from the southern side to the northern side of Seaside Road. Seating at different heights will be provided and street furniture and planting will be located along Terminus Road to ensure it is an inclusive area.
What are the impacts of the project?
Our proposals will enhance the pedestrian experience in Eastbourne town centre. It will offer significant benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors. But, we recognise certain elements will have an impact on other transport users.
These impacts are:
· Some bus stops will be removed or relocated. The existing bus route number 99 will be diverted onto a new route on Devonshire Place. This is due to the pedestrianisation of Terminus Road.
· Parking spaces will be removed in some locations. This includes all 22 Pay and display/permit parking bays currently on Terminus Road.
· Terminus Road will be fully pedestrianised. This means no vehicle access, except for deliveries to businesses, to Terminus Road. Delivery and loading hours will be between 6pm and 10am.
What are the proposals for Terminus Road?
A central part of Phase 2b is to pedestrianise Terminus Road from Seaside Road to Grand Parade. The area is 200m long and is known as ‘Victoria Place’.
Pedestrianising this stretch of Terminus Road will complete a pedestrian spinal route from the railway station to the seafront. We aim to make the town centre a prime destination for visitors and residents. We also aim to support local businesses by improving footfall. The pedestrianisation also aims to enhance the cultural feel of this part of town.
A small number of existing trees on Terminus Road will be removed as part of the proposals. However, existing mature trees will be retained. New trees and large new planters will be added. Benches, seating and waste and recycling bins are proposed in various locations. Wayfinding signs in the area will be reviewed.
Will vehicles still be able to access Terminus Road?
No vehicles, except deliveries to businesses, will be able to access Terminus Road. Delivery and loading hours will be between 6pm and 10am.
Will there be emergency access to Terminus Road?
There will be removeable bollards installed on Terminus Road. These will be at:
- Seaside Road/Trinity Trees junction,
- Grand Parade/Terminus Road junction.
These will be in place between 10am and 6pm and removed between 6pm and 10am.
Emergency services will have a key to these bollards. This will mean that they are able to remove the bollards and access Terminus Road in the event of an emergency.
How will deliveries be made to businesses in Terminus Road?
Delivery vehicles will be able to access businesses in Terminus Road between 6pm and 10am.
Loading entrance areas are to the south-east of the Lismore Road/Pevensey Road junction and north-west of the Seaside Road junction. There will be removeable bollards for access. The bollards will be in place between 10am and 6pm to restrict access. The loading exit will be via Burlington Road.
Where will people be able to park if parking is removed in Terminus Road?
The pedestrianisation of this section of Terminus Road would result in the loss of 22 parking spaces. These are a mixture of pay and display/permit holder parking spaces. There will also be a loss of two loading bays along the road.
Alternative off-street parking is available at Trinity Place/Seaside Road, Grand Parade and the seafront, the Trinity Place multi-storey car park and the Beacon Shopping Centre. The blue-badge parking is also being relocated to the northern side of Seaside Road.
Is there a specific pedestrianised area?
The existing road between Burlington Road and Grand Parade will be closed to traffic. This will create a designated public space. There will be seating, landscaping and feature lighting to celebrate the seaside destination.
Why is cycling not permitted along Terminus Road?
Access for cycling will need to be removed along Terminus Road. This will ensure pedestrian safety and fully pedestrianise Terminus Road.
Our designs provide new cycle parking at key entry points into the town centre. This ensures cyclists accessing this area can park their cycles securely. Provisions for cycle access will be part of complementary schemes. As part of this, we will be delivering a new continuous cycle route from Eastbourne rail station to the Devonshire Quarter and the seafront. This will be built in 2025.
We are also exploring future cycle access between the station and the seafront. This will be facilitated by the relocation of the Susans Road section of the Ring Road to Cavendish Place.
How can cyclists access the town centre?
Cycle parking will be provided at key entry points into the town centre. This will be at Pevensey Road, Seaside Road and Burlington Road junctions.
The expectation will be for cyclists to park their bikes at these locations. They can continue their journeys into the town centre by foot.