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.
Image Credits: James Stewart .
What an unbelievably callous response from National Highways, I can’t understand how anyone would see that as reasonable. I will be writing to request a further explanation and an assurance that rigidly implemented rules will not result in such a heartless decision in the future. My sincere sympathy to Terry and Georgina for such a horrible experience.
“Unable to grant access based solely on individual reasoning”.
That is, quite simply, a lie. It’s a choice. In this instance they chose not to offer support to a sick woman and her husband in their 80s on a cold night. Quite extraordinary.
An absolutely disgraceful, uncaring response from a manager of National Highways.
‘Allowing multiple exceptions poses a significant safety risk’.
Really?
Two 80yr old people in one car, one of whom was unwell, with not enough diesel to follow the diversion route.
No multiple exception required, just a little empathy, understanding and help. An apology has no meaning. It infuriates me.
Unbelievable! Whatever happened to common sense and compassion? Obviously seriously lacking at National Highways and their response was cruel to say the least. The “significant safety risk” they used as an excuse applied to Mr and Mrs Evans not their petty rules.
A stock reply from National Highways. An out of control quango that utilises a version of a defense first used just after WW2. ‘We are acting under orders’. Utterly disgraceful and completely indefensible . There should always be a way to get around roadworks in an emergency, that doesn’t result in idiotic diversions.
A bad, bad incident. I had to reroute another 15 miles to get to Winchelsea, and it was a nuisance but for Terry that’s a real burden even if he’d had enough diesel. An elderly and sick couple must always be priority. There are workmen at the site so it is possible to “open up” at any point.
I do hope Georgina is now on the mend.
Absolutely appalling treatment of an elderly vulnerable couple. The whole road closure has been a debacle with no forward planning, clear, well-placed signage and directions or provision for emergencies. At 1am they could have been escorted the short distance required and that would not have set a ‘precedence’ (to quote the words of National Highways). Your heart goes out to Terry and Georgina with what they had to go through and with her so unwell. It also poses questions about why she was released from hospital in the early hours of the morning to face a long drive home but I imagine they just wanted to get home. National Highways needs to be held accountable and improve their procedures and duty of care. Knowing Helena Dollimore she will not let this matter drop!
Lee Bamsey a hospital just discharge people at any time. Or weather conditions or age of person.
I have experienced this my self …snow ..no taxi no bus…running ..
Also A&E you are let home in middle of the night ..that’s ok if you have a car or can afford a taxi… even if you have been taken in by ambulance.
I don’t know what happens if you are taken in by ambulance when not in your own home and don’t have funds for taxi or bus …
I think we know that there are certain times, when it’s just not possible to get access, such as fresh tarmac on the ground. However I would want the elderly treated with the same respect as an emergency vehicle, especially over a certain age. Or there be a spare highways vehicle and crew member available to assist, even to accompany the elderly, over a certain age, through diversions. For the reason of insuring their safety and duty of care. My mind is blown about the way they were treated and the response of Highways. My best wishes to Terry & Georgina.
The Jobsworths at Nationa highways need to show compassion and commonsense when confronted with the circumstances of this elderly couple,if they can let emergency personal through in these roadworks, they can also show compassion to the elderly trying to get home,after their traumatic experiences in hospital.