A21 project making 'significant progress'
A council agency has claimed that the Queensway Gateway Road project in Hastings has made significant progress, despite what it called "technical challenges".
East Sussex Highways said it had completed vegetation clearance, streetlighting installation, landscaping, and built a splinter island on the A21 Sedlescombe Road North.
It said temporary traffic lights on the A road would be removed for "smoother traffic flow" over Easter and early May, with work ongoing on Junction Road and Beauharrow Cycle Path.
Some local people have expressed their anger and frustration on social media at the roadworks and closures.
The lights will be reinstated at a reduced length on the road from 5 May, East Sussex Highways added.
Road closures were scheduled between Dunelm and the A28 on 16 April, 5, 22 and 27 May.
It said in March the final phase of the major highway improvement scheme, which started in September, was almost complete.
East Sussex Highways has been working with Balfour Beatty Living Places to carry out works to connect Queensway Gateway to the A21 Sedlescombe Road North to improve traffic flow.
The entire Queensway Gateway project was originally expected to be completed by 2016.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Major highway improvement scheme nearing completion
Final cost of long delayed road still unclear
Delayed road costs businesses millions, MP says
East Sussex Highways

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tractor carrying fertiliser overturns on A259
There were no injuries after a tractor carrying fertiliser overturned in West Sussex on Tuesday, police have confirmed. At 21:00 BST Sussex Police responded to a report that the tractor had overturned on the A259 Roundstone Bypass in Angmering. The road was closed in both directions while the chemical was cleared from the scene, Sussex Police said. By 04:30 the road was fully reopened. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Sussex Police


Motor 1
7 days ago
- Motor 1
UK Car Production Falls to Lowest Levels in 70 Years
Vehicle production in the United Kingdom fell to its lowest level in 70 years after a combination of poor holiday timing and tariff uncertainty, according to Wards Auto . Citing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK built just 59,203 units in April, the lowest monthly level since 1952, save for a handful of lockdown months during the pandemic in 2020. The dismal production month can be blamed on a series of factors. A late Easter holiday, which took place in April this year, sliced into production time. Model changeovers, which forced automakers to pause production lines for upgrades, also ate into the overall output. The biggest factor continues to be US auto tariffs, which, as of this writing, sit at 10 percent for up to 100,000 vehicles annually. Photo by: Rolls-Royce SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the UK has seen "its toughest start" to manufacturing since 2009, when the economy was still dealing with the financial crisis caused by subprime mortgage lending in the United States. "Urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness," Hawes said in a statement . "Government has recognized automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month." April production represents a 15.8-percent decline compared to the same period last year. Looking deeper, passenger vehicles saw an 8.6-percent decline to 56,534 units, while commercial vehicles saw a more substantial 68.6-percent decline to just 2,669 units. Wards attributes the drop to a plant closure and the "normalizing of demand" for commercial vehicles following a post-pandemic boom. Tariffs might be causing uncertainty, but the UK's main export region is still Europe. Shipments to the mainland fell 19.1 percent in April—but still represented more than half of all exports. The number of vehicles sent to the US fell by 2.7 percent in the same period. Meanwhile, shipments to China and Türkyie jumped 44 percent and 31.2 percent, respectively. So it's not all doom and gloom. "To take advantage of these trading opportunities, we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy," said Hawes. "Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonization will flow across the UK." More on the UK A UK Company Is Bringing V-6-Powered Miatas to America Lister Pauses New Car Development Over UK Combustion Ban Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
UK vehicle production decline hits record low in April 2025: SMMT
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed a 15.8% drop in UK car and commercial vehicle production in April 2025. For the month, 59,203 units were manufactured, marking the lowest April output since 1952, barring the exceptional circumstances in 2020 during the first Covid lockdown. Car production in the UK experienced an 8.6% decline, totalling 56,534 units, influenced by the later timing of Easter, model changeovers, and reduced demand from key export markets. The commercial vehicle sector registered a decline of 68.6% to 2,669 units, primarily due to a plant closure and a return to normal demand levels for new heavy goods vehicles after a period of intense post-pandemic growth. Exports of cars saw a 10.1% drop, with the EU and US markets showing declines of 19.1% and 2.7%, respectively. Despite these drops, the EU remained the largest export destination, receiving more than half of all UK car exports, while the US accounted for 16.5%. In contrast, exports to China and Turkey increased by 44% and 31.2%, the report said. Commercial vehicle exports plummeted by 75.8%, with just over half of the production being sent abroad. Despite a 78.9% reduction in shipments, the EU continued to be the primary export market, accounting for 84.9% of the total. Domestic commercial vehicle output also saw a downturn, falling by 54.6%. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: 'With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness. 'Government has recognised automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month. 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities, we must secure additional investment, which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.' The industry is now awaiting the government's industrial strategy, which is expected to include measures to enhance the competitiveness of the UK's most valuable export sector, the body said. Last week, the SMMT reported a 49.8% surge in public service vehicle registrations in the UK in Q1 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth. "UK vehicle production decline hits record low in April 2025: SMMT" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data