10.07.2012 For immediate release: Greg Barker, MP for Bexhill and Battle raised his serious concerns about the safety of the A259 in Bexhill with the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency at Westminster this week.
Greg requested the meeting following a recent spate of accidents on the A259 in Bexhill which included the tragic death of a local cyclist to establish whether anything could be done to improve the safety of the road.
Highways Agency Chief Executive Graham Dalton told Greg that analysis of the accidents has not yet revealed any common traits or faults with the road layout or signage that could have contributed to the accidents. The main cause of the accidents has been due to driver error or lack of driver attention. The Highways Agency recognises that this section of road does have an above average accident rate but investigations have not identified any single or obvious improvements that could be made. Mr Dalton assured Greg that the Agency continues to monitor and track the safety record of the road in liaison with local police.
Speaking at Westminster, Greg said “I continue to be concerned by the number accidents which occur along this stretch of the A259 in Bexhill, the consequences of which can be devastating. However, following my meeting with the Highways Agency I am assured that the road accident record is under constant monitoring by the Agency in liaison with our local police.
It is a great shame that many of the accidents on this road appear to be due to driver error or lack of driver attention. I hope that the new Link Road will take some of the pressure from A259 and then reduce the stress of drivers who currently have to use this heavily congested route.”