Seaford road closed after engineer confirms scaffolding moved

The scaffolding in Saxon Lane, Seaford has been cordoned off twice since winds of up to 122 miles per hour hit the country, leading to a red weather warning in the South-East from the Met Office last Friday.

Shops had to close early on the high street that day, with Sussex Police assisting East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) with a large cordon while the fire service made “a structure in Broad Street safe” due to Storm Eunice.

A loose ladder was removed from the scaffolding and the cordon was lifted around 10pm that same night.

• READ MORE: High street cordoned off over 'safety' concerns due to roof scaffolding

On Tuesday night at around 6.30pm, ESFRS cordoned off Saxon Lane, directly next to the scaffolding, but left at 9pm after a building control officer “deemed the area safe”.

Lewes District Council said on Tuesday that “contrary to suggestions otherwise the scaffolding remained secure."

But another update yesterday added that an independent structural engineer commissioned by the council confirmed that “some movement” had happened, with the scaffolding sitting about six inches further out from the wall than before Storm Eunice.

Saxon Lane in Seaford which has been closed

Saxon Lane has remained closed as a result.

Maria Caulfield, Conservative MP for Lewes, said she will be asking for compensation for shop owners affected by Friday's road closure in Broad Street, Seaford.

Ms Caulfield said she is meeting with businesses this weekend to set up a list of demands to take to Lewes District Council, including asking for compensation for businesses.

The 48-year-old is adamant the authority has powers to remove the scaffolding but has come under fire from Lib Dem councillors who have questioned why the Conservatives “did not take action” on the scaffolding when they were in control of Lewes District Council until 2019.

• READ MORE: Firefighters spotted near high street cordoned off over scaffolding safety concerns

Maria Caulfield told The Argus: “I am meeting with a large group of businesses this weekend to set up a list of demands we will take to the district council. 

“The answer to the scaffolding is not to close off the roads to make it harder for the local businesses to survive who have had over six years of this.

“It is either to enforce a removal notice that the previous Conservative administration served or a CPO order because it is clear the owners have no intention of completing the works.

Gary Bedford is one of the shop owners whose business has been affected by the scaffolding

“If not they need to compensate the businesses affected as enough is enough.”

The scaffolding has stood in the high street for six years and has to remain until the roof on the Talland Parade site is finished.

Lewes District Council confirmed that road closures were not a district council decision.

• READ MORE: Barber whose shop is surrounded by scaffolding fears closing over loss of parking spaces

A spokesman said: “Yesterday morning, an independent assessment of the scaffolding by a structural engineer, commissioned by the district council, identified some movement along the Saxon Lane flank since Storm Eunice.

 “Consequently, our building control officers have advised East Sussex County Council to close Saxon Lane.

 “We are also liaising with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). 

A loose support bolt which kept the scaffolding attached to the building

“The HSE is a government agency responsible for the regulation and enforcement of workplace health and safety in Great Britain and has been liaising with those responsible for the scaffolding for some time.

 “We will provide further updates when they become available.”

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