14 weeks of A21 roadworks to begin

Improvements will be made to the Marley Lane junction of the A21, widening the road and creating a 'right turn ghost island' facility, to open up the area for greater commercial development.

A traffic island will also be provided within the Marley Lane carriageway.

The road improvements will cater for increased traffic flows in Marley Lane.

Previously the junction had prevented any future development and was a long-standing safety concern.

Rother Council says the scheme could free up approximately 8,000 square meters of commercial floor space and create up to 380 jobs.

The changes will also see improved road safety for residential and business traffic.

Rother District Council is working with key partners, including SEEDA, East Sussex County Council, The Highways Agency and private businesses, to implement the scheme.

Graham Marley, chief executive of business development organisation Ten Sixty Six Enterprise, said: "I am delighted that work on the A21/Marley Lane junction will be starting soon.

"For many years the junction has been a blight on further, much needed commercial development space, that will support the Battle area economy."

Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard said: "This is one of Rother District Council's executive priority projects.

"The objective is to provide much needed safety improvements and overcome a major obstacle that has blighted development in the area.

"This project, in conjunction with many others, shows how committed the council is to regeneration and making Rother a better place to live, work and visit."

Work is due to start on Sunday and is expected to take 14 weeks to complete.

The affected area of the A21 and access into and from Marley Lane will be closed overnight from 8pm on Sunday to 6am on Monday while the contractor installs necessary safety equipment.

Work on the highway will be carried out during normal working hours, except for two further occasions that will require overnight working to alter safety barriers and lay the final surface.

The council will notify residents about these disruptions nearer the time.