A267 Road Closure

The Chair and I continue to attend weekly meetings with Scotia Gas Networks Ltd (SGN) East Sussex Highways (ESH) and raise problems we are all experiencing and suggestions for improvements to the diversion routes and the signage.

Following all the incidents on Little Trodgers Lane and at the junction of Lake Street and the A267, you will all now be aware that the hard closure of the A267 has moved further north to Marks Cross. The relocation of the hard closure was to enable HGV’s not observing the diversion to turn around.

At the meeting on 11 March 2026, SGN informed they were still on target to get the A267 reopened on 10 April which is good news. They also informed at a previous meeting that the gas pipe they are replacing was in a worse condition than anticipated. The clay soil that had compacted onto the pipe was actually holding defects together and as it was removed gas leaks became evident.

Vehicles continue not to observe the official diversion routes and in cases move the fencing to try to get through the closure. SGN has responded by blocking access next to the barriers with soil on verges. Unfortunately, the HGV’s who should not be travelling through Mayfield have caused very deep potholes and some verges in the lanes are non-existent now. Anybody found not obeying the official diversion is a police matter not a SGN matter or ESH matter. 

We have been assured that a Reinstatement Manager will assess verges and potholes that need repair towards the end of the A267 road closure. However, potholes should continue to be reported meanwhile to Highways and we would be grateful if residents could assist by using their ‘Report a Problem’ website pages at: https://live.eastsussexhighways.com/report-problem It is helpful if you can take a photo and upload it but it is not a requirement (Be careful if you do decide to take one please!). We have also been informed that verges will be reinstated and reseeded when the work ends.

Reduction in speed limit on Wellbrook Hill

East Sussex County Council’s consultation on the proposed reduction in speed limit on Wellbrook Hill closed on 06 March 2026. Following a petition and a lot of hard work by Cllr Marlow and Cllr Tibbles, plus support from our County Councillor Anne Cross, it is proposed to reduce the existing 50mph speed limit to 40mph between the existing 30mph speed limit on the A267 at Five Ashes and the existing national speed limit on the A267 at Mayfield. 

The Community Safety and Traffic Committee has responded to the consultation:

“This change is long overdue. There have been multiple fatalities on this road, including the death of a child, as well as other serious incidents. For many years, large numbers of residents have raised sustained concerns because the existing 50 mph limit does not properly reflect the inherent risks of this stretch of road. Those risks have increased further as development has increased, leading to greater vehicle movements, turning traffic and pedestrian activity.

In support of this proposal, a local petition gathered 580 signatures. That level of engagement demonstrates clear and widespread community support for a safer speed limit on Wellbrook Hill.

We strongly welcome the commencement of this public consultation and urge East Sussex County Council to proceed to implementation as soon as the consultation process allows.

This reduction will undoubtedly save lives, and we ask that it is delivered without further delay.”

Bonfires

As winter passes there has been an increase in complaints of bonfires from residents. There are no smoke free zones within the Wealden District and no byelaws concerning chimneys, wood burners or garden bonfires.

Wealden District Council (WDC) recommends however that people dispose of their garden waste in an environmentally responsible and considerate manner such as composting or green waste collections. If bonfires or smoke are persistent and ongoing this can potentially be deemed a statutory nuisance and something that they can investigate. 

Before reporting a smoke nuisance to WDC they recommend speaking to the person causing it as they may not be aware of the issue. If this is not successful, or where individuals are not approachable, think about writing to them and if this does not work, then you could try contacting the free mediation service that can assist you in communicating with your neighbour. It is recommended that you phone them on 01323 442781 to discuss their services before you report the problem to WDC. 

If you are experiencing problems from your neighbour and you are privately renting or social housing tenants, the issues should be reported to your landlord first. You can also take your own action through the magistrate’s court. Anonymous complaints cannot be processed.

AquAlerter

Launched in July 2023, AquAlerter has been designed to provide live updates about supply interruptions in the area, planned and emergency repairs to the water supply network and events across the South East Water region. Using the link: https://aqualerter.southeastwater.co.uk you are provided with a map that automatically centres on your current position giving immediate local context. You can use this to see problems in the area, manage their system to alert you of any issues and to report leaks.

WDC Support for Council Tax

At a Full Council meeting in March, WDC’s councillors unanimously agreed to introduce additional support to ease the financial burden of Council Tax for residents diagnosed with a terminal illness. Residents on a low income living with a terminal illness in the WDC area will no longer have to pay council tax if someone with a terminal illness lives in a household and receives or becomes eligible for support under the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. 

To be eligible for the discount residents will be required to provide an SR1 form to the council – a form completed by a qualified medical professional, such as a GP or consultant, on behalf of the patient. A discount may be provided for a period of up to 12 months. In recognition of the impact on families and loved ones, the discount may also continue for a short amount of time after the death, helping to relieve immediate financial pressures at a sensitive time. The council is amongst the first in England to adopt this policy and is one of only two district councils in the country introducing this from 1 April 2026.

WDC not to pursue further legal action

Following the court’s decision to reject a Judicial Review of the Government’s decision to house asylum seekers at Crowborough Army Camp, WDC has received ongoing legal advice from its King’s Counsel team and in line with that has decided that it will not be pursuing or supporting any further legal action. 

WDC has been advised that to pursue a new Judicial Review against the Home Office is unlikely to achieve anything of practical value and that a claim could potentially be counterproductive. The council’s view is it would be morally wrong to stay silent about this legal advice, because to do so would raise false hope and would likely be a waste of taxpayer’s money. 

The council has always been strongly opposed to the use of the site to house asylum seekers and participated in the recent court hearing as an interested party, providing supporting evidence to ensure that the Court was fully informed of local impacts and procedural history. Crowborough Shield’s claim was rejected because the judge deemed them to have jumped the gun by starting the claim before the Home Office had made a decision. 

In its advice, WDC’s King’s Counsel team advised that whilst there are ‘arguable errors of law in relation to the Habitats Regulations and the EIA Regulations and the recreational pressure on the Ashdown Forest, these are easily corrected by government’. As the premature claim gave government notice of these errors, they expect them to be corrected before any new claim could reach the court. Even if the court upheld a judicial review on those grounds, the likely impact would be to allow the government to re-take its decision and potentially start the 12-month clock again; meaning the camp would be open for even longer.