Winchelsea residents, Terry Evans and his wife Georgina, both in their 80s, had a nightmare experience a few weeks ago thanks to the night-time closures on the A259. It was traumatic for them and for their family.
The main road through Rye and Winchelsea was closed overnight for over a fortnight for repairs.
On October 8, Georgina was rushed into a hospital by ambulance, Terry, who is registered disabled, followed in his car. In the early hours of the following morning, at about 1am, she was discharged with antibiotics. The couple arrived in Winchelsea half an hour later to find the road blocked. In all the anxiety about being rushed to hospital, they had forgotten about the planned road closures.
They could not get through the last few yards to their home. In panic, they spoke to two young lads who were part of the roadworks team who informed them that they could not go any further. Terry explained how ill his wife still was and asked for their help. One of the boys rang his boss but he also said it wasn't possible for them to be let through because the road had been tarmacked.
It was suggested that they drove back towards Hastings, through Broad Oak and approached the road from the Rye end. Terry explained that they didn't have enough diesel in the car to do that. No further help was forthcoming.
Terry and Georgina headed back up the hill and parked up in front of the New Inn which, of course, was in darkness as was the whole of Winchelsea. There was nowhere to get any help. It was a cold night and they had no food or drink. They dozed fitfully in the car until eventually the road re-opened at about 5.30am. The two young lads they had previously spoken to were still there and said: “What happened to you?” Terry explained they had had to sleep in their car.
Eventually the couple got into the warm and had hot drinks. Unfortunately, two days later Georgina was rushed back into hospital with sepsis. She was transferred to Eastbourne hospital for specialist help.
She is at home now after ten days in hospital, still poorly and quite traumatised by the whole event.
A National Highways spokesperson gave this statement when asked why two vulnerable people were left with no way of getting home. "We were very sorry to hear of the inconvenience experienced by Mr and Mrs Evans on this occasion and understand their frustration. Our resurfacing of the A259 will improve journeys for thousands of drivers and we do our best to minimise disruption while the work is carried out. Anyone travelling in areas outside the area being resurfaced is required to follow the diversion route which is clearly signed on the approach.”
The spokesperson also clarified why the couple received no special assistance in spite of their age. "Our traffic management team followed the instructions outlined in their scope specifically that only people residing within the area being resurfaced were to be provided with escorts. Unfortunately, we’re unable to grant access based solely on individual reasoning. Allowing multiple exceptions poses a significant safety risk, and we must maintain consistency in how closures are managed."
Rye News will be interviewing National Highways in coming weeks about their work on the A259 through Rye and Winchelsea. Click here for more details about how to send in your questions.
