Highways Agency

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Description of the Route
• Policy Objectives
• Route Functions
• Land Use & Development Control Policy
• Route Problems & Performance
• Route Outcomes
• Strategy Impact Statement

Description of the Route

Initial Draft Strategy - July 2004

2 Description of the Route

2.1 Overview

The A259 and A2070 are part of the national route along the south coast between the south Hampshire conurbation and the Channel Tunnel. This section of the south coast trunk road forms an important link between Hastings (a designated priority area for economic regeneration) and Ashford (a strategic growth area).

The single carriageway road passes through the historic towns of Winchelsea and Rye, which attract large numbers of tourists, particularly during summer months. Consequently, some congestion occurs on the narrow streets as vehicles pass through these towns. Outside of the towns, the road passes through small villages and tranquil countryside that is protected from development.

Although the A2070 between Brenzett and Ashford has been built to modern standards, the A259 to the west has simply evolved into what it is today. In particular, between Winchelsea and Brenzett the road alignment is determined more by the location of ancient field boundaries, drainage ditches and village streets than by the needs of motor vehicles. As a consequence, the section of the A259 between Hastings and Brenzett is unable to accommodate vehicles carrying abnormally heavy or wide loads.

Throughout its length, traffic flows are relatively low as the towns often benefit most from being linked to London than to each other.

The route has been considered in five sections:

1. A259 - Hastings to Winchelsea, 10.7km
2. A259 - Winchelsea to Guldeford Lane Corner, 9.5km
3. A259 - Guldeford Lane Corner to Brenzett, 6.7km
4. A2070 - Brenzett to Cloverleaf Junction, 14.4km
5. A2070 - Cloverleaf Junction to M20 junction 10, 3.3km.

2.1.1 Section 1 - A259 Hastings to Winchelsea, 10.7km

This section, to the east of Bachelor's Bump, is a single carriageway road passing through undulating countryside of the High Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It has a poor vertical and horizontal alignment, which limits the ability to overtake slower moving vehicles. The road alignment at Winchelsea is particularly poor with a steep hill and hairpin bend where the road skirts the town, which affects traffic flow and forces large vehicles to cross to the wrong side of the road. This section of the route is subject to a variety of 30 and 40 mph speed limits as it passes through Guestling Green, Icklesham and Winchelsea. Traffic flows throughout the section are low (AADT = about 10,000).

A259 - Bachelors Bump to Guestling Green

A259 - Guestling Green to Icklesham

A259 -Icklesham to Winchelsea

A259 - Winchelsea

2.1.2 Section 2 - A259 Winchelsea to Guldeford Lane Corner 9.5km

This section (between east of Winchelsea and the East Sussex/Kent border) crosses Brede Levels and Walland Marsh, which together form a site of special scientific interest. The road is level, although the horizontal alignment remains poor. Through Rye, where the road is subject to a speed limit of 30 mph, the road follows a tortuous route immediately south of the picturesque town centre and parked vehicles often obstruct the flow of traffic. On the western side of the town, there is a section where a 40 mph speed limit operates. To the east of Rye, the road is very narrow, with lorries travelling in opposite directions having difficulty passing. It also has a particularly poor horizontal alignment and at several locations the road changes direction through 90 degree corners. To the east of East Guldeford, the road also crosses the Ashford to Hastings railway line twice via level crossings within a distance of less than a kilometre. Traffic flows throughout the section are low (AADT = about 10,000, although to the east of Camber Road AADT = 5,500). Tourism is key to the local area and traffic figures are obviously higher during the summer months.

A259 - Winchelsea to Rye

A259 -Rye to Guldeford Lane Corner

2.1.3 Section 3 - A259, Guldeford Lane Corner to Brenzett 6.7km

This section continues across Walland Marsh, with a poor horizontal alignment (albeit the carriageway is slightly wider). An area to the south of the road at Whitehouse Farm is designated as a wetland area. The road through Brookland has been improved, to avoid the village centre and includes the only intermediate roundabout in this section. The traffic flow is low (AADT = 5,500).

A259 - Guldeford Lane Corner to Brenzett

2.1.4 Section 4 - A2070, Brenzett to Cloverleaf Junction 14.4km

This section is a purpose built single carriageway road. To the south of Hamstreet across Romney Marsh the road is flat but the road passes through gently rolling countryside of the Wealden greensand ridge between Ham Street and the A4020 interchange in Willesborough, south of Ashford. The road passes through Hamstreet Wood, a site of special scientific interest (part of which is a National Nature Reserve). The traffic flow is low (AADT = 12,500).

A2070 - Brenzett to Cloverleaf Junction

2.1.5 Section 5 - A2070, Cloverleaf junction to M20, 3.3km

This section (Bad Munstereifel Road) has dual 2 lane carriageways and forms part of a relief road to the south of Ashford, a town where significant development is proposed. This section will also form an access to one of the development areas. Currently, there is one intermediate roundabout serving an industrial area. At present traffic flows are moderate (AADT = 25,500), although junction 10 of the M20 is at capacity and this causes congestion problems on the A2070 at peak times. The Government has agreed a scheme to improve access to a proposed development area to the south of the A2070 in which an additional junction (10A) is constructed on the M20.

A2070 - Cloverleaf Junction to M20

2.2 Route Characteristics

The key characteristics of sections of the route are summarised in Table 2.

Notes

1. Brief description, for full definition of the extent of each section see text and the sections, problems and actions drawings included with this report
2. Urban = speed limit of 40 mph or less
3. AADT = annual average daily total flow for the section as a whole

2.3 Constraints

Drawing no. TH/RMSC/E/003 shows the locations of the constraints on the route alignment. These include built-up areas and locations where environmental considerations would inhibit widening or realignment.