In response to the partial closure of Uckfield High Street, which has been necessary due to structural safety concerns and to keep the public safe at the former Maidens Head building (situated beyond Church Street) this page has been created to provide regular updates for residents, businesses and the wider community.
Uckfield High Street is open for business as usual and we remain committed to supporting trade, improving access and keeping you informed. We know this continues to affect business and we’re actively exploring solutions.
7 August 2025
The scaffolding has now been amended and weather protected to allow the external tiles to be carefully removed from the northeast corner of the façade and stored for reinstatement once repairs are complete. This allows full inspection of the exposed wall structure by our engineers who will then be able to prepare a schedule of repairs.
The amended scaffold arrangement is no longer encroaching onto the road, and we are working closely with the Highway Agency to remove the temporary traffic lights as soon as possible.
This is planned to be carried out over the weekend (9 – 10 August), in the early hours to create as little disruption as possible.
The footpath will remain closed and a temporary pedestrian crossing will be provided to ensure public safety.
1 August 2025
Following completion of structural engineers design, works have commenced and progressed according to plan to make alterations to the scaffold supporting the façade of the unsafe building on Uckfield High Street.
This will enable the scaffolding to be located entirely on the footpath and allow the removal of the temporary traffic arrangement meaning that there will no longer be a need to restrict vehicle access to the road. The footpath will remain closed and a temporary pedestrian crossing will be provided to ensure public safety.
The works are expected to continue for the next 2 weeks and if all goes to plan, we expect the High Street to fully reopen to traffic towards the end of the week beginning 4 August – most likely around 8 or 9 August.
Access to the building for ongoing structural inspections will be maintained, and the scaffold will remain sealed and weather-tight. The new design will mean there is no need for a full road closure, and the next stage of works can take place inside the existing fencing.
25 July 2025
We are now entering the next stage of scaffold safety works on the frontage of the unsafe building on Uckfield High Street.
The current scaffold design is being modified to create a narrower arrangement that sits entirely within the pavement. This updated design includes both internal and external scaffolding and means there will no longer be a need to restrict vehicle access to the road.
Subject to final safety checks and weather conditions, work will begin on Tuesday 29 July and continue for up to three weeks. The timetable includes:
- Week 1 (from 29 July): Internal scaffold is erected and linked through the windows to the external structure
- Week 2 (from 4 August): Weights are repositioned, and scaffold elements can be removed from the carriageway
- Week 3 (from 11 August): Windows and tiles are carefully removed and stored for reinstatement later
Access to the building for ongoing structural inspections will be maintained, and the scaffold will remain sealed and weather-tight. Importantly, the new design will mean there is no need for a full road closure, and the next stage of works can take place inside the existing fencing.
If all goes to plan, we expect the High Street to fully reopen to traffic towards the end of the week beginning 4 August – most likely around 8 or 9 August.
A further update will be provided as soon as the road reopens. In the meantime, thank you once again for your continued patience
18 July 2025:
Progress continues at the Uckfield High Street site following further opening-up works on Monday this week and the latest multidisciplinary meeting held Tuesday, 15 July.
On the afternoon of the 16 July 2025 there was the third meeting of the Uckfield Town Council, ESCC, WDC and Uckfield Chamber of Commerce meeting.
WDC are hopeful that external specialist consultants will complete the structural design report in the coming days for the alternative scaffold design. The new design has now evolved to allow for a working platform on the external side, not just a ‘bird cage’ support internal/external to the building. That step is crucial, as it allows our retained contractors to move in and dismantle/erect the new scaffold in the next coming days – but certainly after the schools have broken up for Summer. This will be a major milestone for this project.
Once the new scaffold is up, our intention is to move forward in August with the removal of the façade tiles. This will be a very delicate operation, but a necessary one. It removes a potential hazard, reduces the structural load significantly, and will allow for a much more detailed inspection of the underlying structure. It may also turn out to be critical for the final design/solution, depending on what is revealed once the tiles are off.
After the tiles are removed and the facade exposed, the team will carry out another inspection. We expect their report to be ready by end of August. That report will form the basis for finalising a full specification for the remedial works, which can then be properly costed. At that point we will also need to sit down and work through all the legal and financial issues associated with the next stages.
The goal remains to ensure the front wall, once exposed, is repaired to a structurally adequate condition that allows the tiles to be securely reattached. It also includes repairs to the parapet back gutter, hoppers and downpipes.
The coming weeks are therefore critical. There is still uncertainty, but we are steadily moving towards clarity – and from there, resolution.
14 July 2025:
We’re on site today carrying out further internal investigations ahead of a full multidisciplinary site meeting scheduled for Tuesday 15 July 2025. We’re hopeful this will be the final meeting before we receive a complete and conclusive report detailing the works required to address the structural issues affecting the front elevation of the building.
In parallel, we’re expecting to receive the latest structural engineer’s proposal for a revised, slimmer “birdcage” scaffold design. This concept explores a mixed internal/external support solution, which if viable could potentially allow for the reopening of the High Street. To be clear, we’ve not yet reviewed the design, and there is still uncertainty as to whether it will meet all structural and safety requirements.
An update meeting with the Town Council and Chamber of Commerce is also scheduled for Wednesday 16 July 2025
23 June 2025:
Today, consultants and Wealden District Council officers are meeting on site to finalise a report on the necessary repair works. As part of this, a detailed inspection is being carried out at roof level using an elevated platform.
We want to reassure you that these works won’t cause any additional disruption to the High Street and will fit within the current partial closure. We’ll keep this page updated as soon as we have more information.
Additionally, starting today Hempstead Road will be temporarily closed at its junction with the High Street. The temporary traffic lights in the area will be adjusted to a 3-way operation on a trial basis. A clearly signed diversion route will be in place via Hempstead Rise and Grange Road.
This change is part of ongoing efforts to improve traffic flow along the High Street while the scaffold support remains in place. The new 3-way light system is designed to help keep traffic moving more smoothly through the High Street and Church Street, based on recent traffic surveys that studied vehicle queues and signal timing.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while these essential works continue.
4 June 2025:
Internal inspections have taken place and further external high level inspections are likely to take place over the next 2 weeks.
On Thursday 20 March 2025, reports of significant vertical cracks to the front of the building were investigated. Following inspection, the building was deemed structurally unsafe.
Due to its height and close position to the pavement with the risk of falling debris this presented a serious danger to both pedestrians and passing motorists.
To protect public safety:
- Scaffolding has been installed on the right-hand side of the building.
- The base of this scaffolding (known as a raking shore) extends beyond the footway
- A partial road closure is in place affecting the western side of the road and pavement
To safely manage traffic:
- Four-way temporary traffic lights have been introduced
- These are in operation at the junction of Church Street, High Street and Hempstead Road
We’ve worked with partners to minimise disruption. A partial closure allows:
- Continued access to businesses at the top of the High Street
- Bus services to operate effectively
- Emergency services to retain important access routes
Wealden District Council will continue to:
- Provide updates on this page at least every two weeks even if there is no new activity to report. Additional updates will also be shared as they arise and communicated through our social media channels
- Liaise with local businesses, residents and the Parish Council as well as the Uckfield Chamber of Commerce
- Attend drop-ins and Chamber meetings when required to do so