Tuesday 19th November was a good day for users of the ‘snail trail’ as the A21 is sometimes irreverently called - John Spellar, Transport Minister, announced plans to build a bypass around Lamberhurst, one of the worst bottlenecks on the main road to London.
Mr Spellar came to Hastings to make the announcement, his press conference at St Mary in the Castle being filmed by both BBC and Meridian Television cameras. Councillor Jeremy Birch, Leader of Hastings Borough Council, was also interviewed for television, explaining why the improvements to the A21 are so important.
Work on the Lamberhurst Bypass should begin next spring, and, when completed, the road journey between Hastings and London should be quicker, easier, and safer.
In addition, Mr Spellar announced that the ‘missing link’, the single carriageway between the Pembury and Tonbridge bypasses, would be dualled, with work starting within three years. And, to complete the good news, the Highways Agency is to start consulting on improvements to the southern end of the A21, south of Flimwell. This will include a bypass for Hurst Green, and other improvements to the road.
Jeremy Birch said:
"This is very good news for the town. We have been saying loud and clear that improvements to the A21 are absolutely essential for the regeneration of the area but also we know it has a poor road safety record. The work due to start next spring will, when complete, make a real difference in the road journey between Hastings and the north. But there is still more to be done, and we will be watching very closely to ensure the Highways Agency sticks to its timetable of other improvements."
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This page last updated: 12/11/2003