Contractor appointed for new bridge project

A contractor has been appointed to deliver a new bridge, which has been designed to improve traffic flow on a busy route.

East Sussex County Council has awarded the contract for the new two-lane Exceat Bridge to Jackson Civil Engineering Group.

The current single-lane bridge, which is ageing and requires extensive repairs, has been a pinch point on the coastal route between Seaford and Eastbourne for many years.

The new bridge, costing £19.18m and funded by the government and money from the county council's capital budget, is intended to help ease congestion and reduce journey times, while improved footways are aimed at enhancing accessibility for visitors to the area.

Preparation for construction work is expected to begin in spring.

Councillor Claire Dowling said: "This scheme is vital in improving travel times and reliability across our travel network, which will support economic growth in the county.

"A great deal of work has taken place to get this to stage and I look forward to seeing the scheme progress and the new bridge start to take shape."

The council said it would work with the contractor to set a timescale for the project.

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