Bexhill: South Downs Group welcomes by-pass decision

THE Government s decision to turn down the proposed Hastings and Bexhill by-passes has been welcomed by the South Downs Campaignand other environmental groups. But there has been strong condemnation from business groups and the strategic planning body for the region.

The South Downs Campaign, which represents a wide range of countryside groups, believes the new by-pass would have led to an increase in traffic through the South Downs, increasing pressures for more damaging road building in the proposed National Park.

A statement from the Campaign said that apart from an increase in noise and pollution,new roads or improvements between Lewes and Polegate and in West Sussex would have a massive visual impact on the South Downs. This would then lead to greater development pressures in the area, with the potential loss of even more greenfield sites.

Chris Todd, Campaign Officer for the South Downs Campaign said: The Government s decision is very welcome.It is a victory for common sense and the environment.Despite the bypasses being around Bexhill and Hastings, the knock-on effects would have been to significantly increase traffic on the A27, which passes through, or close by to, large tracts of the South Downs.This would then have the increased the threat of more road building in the new National Park.

However, it is vital that the Government follows this decision up with a big increase in funding for walking, cycling and public transport.People need to be given a proper choice and unless this is done the threat of more roads will come back to haunt the new National Park.

The Countryside Agency, which advises the government on rural issues, also welcomed the decision.

But the business community has reacted angrily to the announcement.

Ken Caldwell Chief Executive at business support organisation Sussex Enterprise said: Businesses all along the South Coast and especially in Hastings will be bitterly disappointed with this news. The Government has ignored the views of local people, ignored its own experts report and ignored the needs of the economy in one of the most deprived and isolated parts of the country

Just over one month ago all the main party General Election candidates in Hastings backed the bypasses. The anti-bypass candidates received less than 2% of the vote. The bypass is an integral part of a whole package of transport measures that are needed for the area. Stephen Byers cannot just pick and choose according to political expediency.

The South East England Regional Assembly, which advises the government on strategic planning and transport matters, also expressed fears for regeneration on the south coast.

And the East Sussex Regional Office of the Feseration of Small Businesses has written to Stephen Byers in strong terms.

Published: 17.7.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd