East Sussex County Council and Balfour Beatty have offered an update on the progress of the improvement works on the Uckfield Bus Station site, which commenced in early August 2024.
Their statement was as follows:
“Construction started on Monday 5 August as planned. We met with the manager at the Uckfield Club on Monday to introduce our site agent.
“The ‘no parking’ cones placed in and around the bus station are being respected by drivers.
“Buses were observed exiting the bus station without issue, this included the longer No.54 Stagecoach bus.
“Both accesses to the Bellbrook Centre have always been clear of works vehicles and welfare units.
“The ducting for the electrical trench was excavated, new pipe has been laid and the trench backfilled in the northern footway on Bell Walk. The dropped kerbs have been installed for the new vehicular access at the Uckfield Club.
“The new pedestrian dropped kerbs and tactile paving across Bell Walk (as shown below) have been installed. An area of sunken kerbing and footway to the west of the new crossing point has been raised.
“The footway on the northern side of Bell Walk has been reinstated and made safe for use. A finished course will be laid at the end of the works.
“The new bus stop clearway at New Town Uckfield was installed on Friday 9 August. The closure of the bus station came into effect on Monday 12 August.
“An additional works gang is now on-site to ensure that the carriageway and footway works are carried out in accordance with the programme.
“Project Managers met with temporary marshals in Bell Lane at 6:30am on 12 August to direct drivers away from parking at the temporary bus stop in Bell Lane and assist any lost passengers.
“The temporary bus stop was clear of parked vehicles and buses were dropping off and picking up passengers without issue on 12 August.
“Stagecoach have elected not to use the temporary bus stop. The No.54 will stop in the High Street along their usual routes (see plan attached for full details). The marshals have been made aware and additional notices will be placed on site.”
In a separate statement from East Sussex County Council, further context about the project has been given.
Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, said: “Transforming the current bus station into a new mobility hub will improve connectivity between public transport services, making it easier for people to travel around the county and encouraging greater use of bus services.”
The scheme will also include a new loading bay, a new footpath and crossing points along the south side of Bell Walk and benches and planters. The new bus stop roofs will be planted with drought-tolerant plants that can help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants.
Work started on Monday, August 5 and is expected to be completed by early October. The bus station will be closed for three weeks from Monday, August 12, and will be partially open for the remainder of the work. Temporary bus stops will be in operation in Bell Lane during the closures.
Cllr Dowling said: “On a scheme of this scale, disruption is inevitable, but our contractors are working hard to ensure that is kept to a minimum including using alternative materials that save time and reduce carbon emissions and carrying out multiple operations on the site at the same time.
“Our contractors have also organised work to avoid having any impact on two major Uckfield events – the carnival and bonfire procession, and Weald in the Field.”
The project will also introduce new Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to better manage parking and vehicle movements in and around the bus station.
For more information about the scheme visit https://live.eastsussexhighways.com/highway-schemes/uckfield-bus-station
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