Traffic and Parking
The Ridge is already subject to traffic congestion and the corner near Sandrock Bends is an accident hotspot.
More traffic in this area, including new traffic joining and leaving the main road, will likely mean more congestion for car drivers and pedestrians.
Buses to and from this area are infrequent, and the nearest railway station (Ore) is almost 2 miles away. The nearest primary school, Sandown, is nearly 1 mile away. While Gladman’s say they “will make financial contributions to facilitate additional capacity”, this doesn’t guarantee the amenities will be provided.
For instance, buses from:
Hourly from the Ridge to Hasting Railway Station
Hourly to Ore
Twice hourly to Sainsbury’s but around 38 and 47 minutes past the hour
In other words, anyone living here will likely need a car. Eighty houses with at least one car each will add to the pollution, parking issues, noise, and congestion.
It is currently unclear where these cars will enter and exit the ridge, present options being limited to the narrow road running past Cooper’s vet.
The proposed development will add to already heavy traffic at an accident hotspot (at least five cars have been written off here since 2020) and make parking on the Ridge itself more dangerous. The development will abolish the parking currently available at Coopers Vets and beside the old Lodge Cottage, with increased overspill into the little remaining on road parking in the area.
As well as adding to already severe traffic congestion, the added loss of parking facilities will greatly impact the ability of St Helen’s Community Hall to offer its services to the many groups that use it.
Pictured is a car that was parked on the Ridge and was written off.
Photo credit: Susanne Jones