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Report to: |
Lead Member for Transport and Environment
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Date of meeting:
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10 November 2025 |
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By: |
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
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Title: |
Hastings Green Connections Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders
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Purpose: |
To consider the use of Traffic Regulation Orders and Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders for Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections |
RECOMMENDATIONS: The Lead Member is recommended to:
(1) note the previous development work that has been undertaken in relation to Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections project;
(2) note that Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) will be advertised prior to construction in relation to cycle access to Hastings Town Centre and speed limitation on Havelock Road and Harold Place;
(3) approve that Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs) are advertised post construction in relation to vehicular access and timings on Havelock Road, Harold Place and Wellington Place, Hastings; and
(4) delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, to take any actions necessary to progress the scheme to the construction phase including but not limited to the award of any construction contract required.
1 Background
1.1 In November 2019, Hastings Borough Council (HBC) was allocated £24.4m from the Government’s Towns Fund. In November 2023, East Sussex County Council entered into a funding agreement with HBC to receive £9,754,458 of this funding to deliver the Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections project. The scheme targets improvements along Havelock Road and Harold Place, enhancing access between the rail station, town centre, and seafront.
1.2 Between 22 January and 1 March 2024, the County Council publicly consulted on the proposed designs for the project. A consultation outcome report was considered by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment at a decision-making meeting on 15 July 2024. Further discussions were then held with Southern Water (SW), Homes England and the local bus operator, to understand how Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections project could integrate within HBC’s wider vision and strategy for the town. Details of these discussions were considered by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment at a decision-making meeting on 23 September 2024. At this meeting, the Lead Member resolved to retain two-way movement for buses and cyclists on Havelock Road and Harold Place and the revised scheme progress to detailed design and construction.
2 Supporting information
Design Development
2.1 Since the approval to proceed, design consultants, Arup, have progressed through the developed detailed design (RIBA [Royal Institute of British Architects] stages 3 and 4). This has included working with SW to increase the specification and amount of Sustainable Urban Drainage planting within the scheme, consulting accessibility specialists, and undertaking a Road Safety Audit.
2.2 The next stage of the project is to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and procure construction contractors.
Consultation and Engagement
2.3 Throughout the design phase, the project team have engaged with key stakeholders, including local councillors, bus operators, the Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicle Association, licensing and parking teams, the Sustainable Transport Forum, and the Chamber of Commerce, to inform and assess the proposals.
2.4 This engagement has highlighted support for a reduction in speed in Havelock Road and Harold Place and for increased pedestrianised hours in Wellington Place. Feedback on restrictions and access for cyclists has also been received.
2.5 Feedback on the restriction and timings for vehicular access to Havelock Road and Harold Place has highlighted the need for further engagement and testing of the proposals.
Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)
2.6 Consultation with key stakeholders is anticipated to start during November 2025, with formal advertisement and the statutory consultation then due to take place in January 2026. The proposals to reduce the speed limit on Havelock Road and Harold Place and include cycle access to the town centre to allow for use of proposed cycle lanes will be advertised. Representations may be made during the 21-day period statutory consultation period, and any unresolved objections will be considered by the County Council’s Planning Committee. The objections and recommendations of the members of the Planning Committee will be taken into account when a decision is made whether to make an Order in the form of the TRO, in full or in part, or not to make the Order.
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETROs)
2.7 In addition to the TRO, it is also proposed to advertise restrictions to some vehicle access on Havelock Road, Harold Place and Wellington Place as part of an ETRO. The proposed restrictions have been informed through ongoing engagement with key stakeholders as set out in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of this report.
2.8 As part of the regulatory process this would include providing notice of the proposed changes to the order, then allowing up to 18-months to test the proposals, a review period and updates to be made to the order. This period will include a 6-month period where representation may be made. Any unresolved objections to the ETRO will then be considered by the County Council’s Planning Committee. The objections and recommendations of the members of the Planning Committee will be taken into account when a decision is made whether to make an Order in the form of the ETRO, in full or in part, or not to make the Order.
2.9 This process would allow for more flexibility to review and adapt the timings and restrictions based on qualitative feedback from the public and quantitative measures. A clear monitoring and evaluation plan will be created to ensure transparency.
Delivery Programme and Construction
2.10 The project is currently programmed for construction starting in May 2026 pending the outcome of the TRO process, with scheme completion in December 2027. To meet these timescales, the project will run a competitive tender on a framework for procurement of a construction contractor from November 2025 to January 2026. Following an evaluation period, it is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in February 2026.
3 Conclusion and reasons for recommendations
3.1 Since November 2023, the County Council, as the project deliverer for the Hastings Town Centre Public Realm and Green Connections project, has been moving forward with the development and detailed design phases of the delivery programme.
3.2 Based on continued stakeholder engagement and feedback received and to ensure the County Council meet its statutory duties for consultation on Traffic Orders, it is recommended that Traffic Regulation Orders are advertised for the project from November 2025 in relation to cycle access to Hastings Town Centre and speed limitation on Havelock Road and Harold Place, along with recommending Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders are advertised on completion of construction in relation to vehicular access on Havelock Road, Harold Place and Wellington Place, Hastings to seek a view on the proposed timings and access restrictions;.
3.3 Finally, to meet the delivery timescales for the project it is recommended that delegated authority is awarded to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, to take any actions necessary to progress the scheme to the construction phase including but not limited to the award of any construction contract required.
RUPERT CLUBB
Director of Communities, Economy and Transport
Contact Officer: Ellie
McDaniel
Tel. No. 01273 482413
Email: ellie.mcdaniel@eastsussex.gov.uk
LOCAL MEMBERS
Councillor Daniel
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS