Background to the Paddock Residents Association
Over the last years, the concerns of Paddock Road residents over traffic, vehicle speeds and pedestrian safety had been growing.

In 2002, proposals regarding Paddock Road, put forward by East Sussex County Council in its new parking scheme for Lewes, triggered the formation of a small Action Group to represent the residents' views.

By 2003, a useful dialogue with East Sussex County Council had been established. However, the Council, while admitting to concerns over the narrowness of the road and the "shared pavement" issue (see the photos section), was unable at that time to provide any funding to resolve the problems.

Early in 2004, the Paddock Residents Association was formed, with a formal constitution, to represent the views of the residents of Paddock Road, Paddock Lane, Paddock Terrace and New Road. The Residents Association began contacting key advisory figures and researching funding with a view to proposing a scheme for the road that would reduce traffic speed, prioritise pedestrians and make it safer for all residents to enjoy the communal spaces outside their homes.

By Summer 2004, the Residents Association included most of the residents of Paddock Road, Paddock Lane and some from the adjacent Paddock Terrace and New Road. A number of activities were organised, including various surveys (residents' opinions, traffic & pedestrian usage) and a Street Party, on Sunday 1st August.

In Autumn 2004, the new parking scheme for Lewes was finally implemented, with NCP contracted by ESCC to enforce the "de-criminalised" parking regulations.

In 2005 the Council has carried out a 6-month review of the parking scheme and some revisions and extensions were implemented.

The Council is also working on a plan for a 20 mph town centre zone and two new "town gateways" – in the Offham Road at the bottom of The Avenue (near the entrance to Paddock Road) and the Phoenix Causeway by Waitrose supermarket, plus pedestrian routes to the centre of town with linked "home zones".

The Council says it will be working with the Living Streets organisation to develop a strategy for Lewes as a whole, and then, having identified and selected the first pilot Home Zone projects, start detailed design work in liaison with local Residents Associations. We aim to be ready!