b u l l e t i n

This page is about a pilot project designed to review the long delays experienced each evening when leaving the campus.

The main reason for this delay is the stream of traffic emerging from the A27 slip road onto the Knights Gate roundabout. This traffic has the right of way over vehicles emerging from the campus and results in a long delay to campus exit time.

The University considers that the installation of traffic lights at both the Knights Gate roundabout and the roundabout opposite, on the other side of the A27 bridge, would drastically improve the time taken to exit campus. The University has offered to fund the trial of such a scheme. However, the Highways Agency believe that traffic lights would cause a safety hazard to the A27 traffic. Discussions with the Agency continue in relation to this issue.

In order to attempt to improve site exit time a pilot project commencing on 8th June 1998 will be implemented involving the creation of a one-way flow system using both lanes of Boiler House Hill and Eastern Ring Road.

The facts behind the proposed one-way flow system are:

1. twenty per cent of cars leaving site during peak hours, travel in the Lewes direction;

2. Lewes direction bound cars sit within the queue tailing back down Boiler House Hill, unable to get into the Knights Gate Road Lewes lane, which commences adjacent to the Southern Ring Road and Eastern Ring Road junction, and

3. once Lewes bound vehicles get to this point their passage along the left turn only lane approaching the roundabout, is rapid.

By extending the left turn only lane back along Eastern Ring Road and half-way down Boiler House Hill, through utilisation of both existing lanes, vehicles travelling to Lewes will be able to exit much more rapidly. In turn this should reduce the queuing time for traffic heading straight across the A27, through removal of Lewes bound vehicles which would otherwise be compounding the queue.

Drivers leaving the Science Car Park during peak hours will be encouraged to use the Estates Road exit, which will be open after 4.30 p.m. Alternatively Lewes bound drivers leaving the Science Car Park will be asked to turn right at Southern Ring Road, using North South Road to join traffic on Boiler House Hill.

The map outlines the temporary measures that will be taken and it should be noted that buses will also be permitted to use the extended left only lane to speed their journey off site, thus promoting the use of public transport.

On the days preceding the introduction of the trial information signs will be erected to remind everyone about the trial. In addition further information leaflets and maps will be deposited on cars during the week before the trial.

For the trial to be properly assessed it is imperative that vehicles (except buses) intending to go straight across the roundabout do not use the left hand lane. This is occurring regularly and creates great danger at the roundabout. Good lane discipline will be the key to the generation of exit time improvements during the trial. Through-out the trial, Security Staff will be on duty to help marshall traffic as necessary.

Vehicles entering campus may still do so along Knights Gate Road, but will be directed down Southern Ring Road. Access to the north end of campus will then be via North South Road. Access for emergency services will also be via this route and the trial is being implemented with the full knowledge of the local Councils and emergency services.

The project will run for a trial period of one week commencing 8th June 1998. The trial will be abandoned in a shorter timescale should it be conspicuously unsuccessful.

If you have any queries or further suggestions please address them to Rob French (email r.w.french@sussex.ac.uk) on extension 8306.

Tony Middleton,
Estates Secretary