The working group continues to work for improvements, and news of developments is expected shortly.

For full background to traffic issues in the village, see Traffic Calming REPORT TO KINGSTON PARISH COUNCIL – 11th September 2006

Wide vehicle monitoring

During July 2008, a party of volunteers carried out a study of the use of the C324 by large vans and lorries which exceed the 6’6” width restriction in Ashcombe Hollow. Results have been sent to our local PCSO and the Parish Council.

Subsidised taxis

A grant has been made to allow the subsidised taxi scheme a new lease of life. Residents are advised to register even if they don’t anticipate using the scheme so they can use it in the event of an emergency or unforeseen circumstances.

Cycle paths

A working group is investigating how to improve cycle paths in and around the village. Particular areas under discussion are the dangerous crossing at Juggs Road and the feasibility of a track between Kingston and Lewes.

A survey is being distributed to find out who would use this track; all responses will be much appreciated.

New bus route

A Country Rider bus will run once a week from Lewes/Kingston/Iford/Newhaven/Seaford to the Eastbourne Arndale Centre and back. See village notice boards for further details.

Traffic Calming Newsletter November 2006

It is evident from the support for the petition and the suggestions put forward via the Village Model at the Village Show in July that traffic calming is a top priority for the majority of Kingston residents. With this in mind, the Parish Council has asked the Action Plan Steering Committee to continue its work in this area and a Traffic Calming Working Group (a sub-group of the Steering Committee) has been formed.

So what is the working group doing? The story so far:

1. The working group’s petition was presented to the Chairman of East Sussex County Council in July and Jackie and Mary are meeting with Councillor Matthew Lock, Lead Member for Transport and Environment, on Monday, 16th October, when they have five minutes to put the case for the petition before it is considered.

2. We are reviewing the work already done by the Parish Council and considering how best to re-present our case to East Sussex County Council. We are asking the Parish Council to fund the next stage in this process, which will involve seeking professional assistance in putting together proposals that have a reasonable chance of success.

3. Transport from Lewes to Newhaven is currently under review by the C7 Local Area Transport Strategy Steering Group which has members from East Sussex County Council, Lewes District Council and all the villages and residential areas along the C7. We are ensuring that Kingston is well represented on this group and that the particular interests of this village are championed. The next stage in the C7 LATS process is a Transport Forum, to be held in November, where larger numbers of people, representing different interest groups within the communities, will meet. The Traffic Calming Working Group has mustered a group of 12 from Kingston, representing a wide range of interests, and is arranging a briefing meeting to bring these delegates up to speed (sorry!) on the issues involved. It is clearly vital that we play a vocal part in any plans affecting the C7, as it has such a direct bearing on the volume and type of traffic coming through Kingston.

4. The working group has listed all the problems relating to the road running through the village from the Ashcombe roundabout on the A27 to the junction with the C7, and issued these in the form of a report to the Parish Council. This document will be indexed against the County Council’s Local Transport Plan and will form part of the portfolio of evidence that will eventually be submitted along with our proposals for a calming scheme (as in 2 above).

5. The report to the Parish Council and other updates will be posted on the village website www.kingstonvillage.org, in the Traffic Calming section on the Kingston Parish Action Plan page.

We are pleased to note that the 30 mph limit on Wellgreen Lane has been extended as far as the C7, thanks to the efforts of the Parish Council. A small step in the right direction!

If anyone has any views, comments or suggestions regarding traffic calming in the village, please contact one of the members of the working group: Jackie Rowland, Rosemarie Jeffery, Mary Cattermole, Linda Douglas.