BURNER PROTEST 'TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE'

Police have warned that drivers who take part could end up in court and even lose their licence.

The idea comes from members of anti-incinerator group DOVE (Defenders of the Ouse Valley and Estuary).

East Sussex county councillor for Peacehaven and Telscombe,

Cllr John Livings, said: 'It may antagonise an awful lot of people who would normally support them. I think it is totally irresponsible. I do not agree with it, I won't be part of it and I would not expect any of my town councillors to be part of it.'

A flyer is being circulated asking those who are anti-incinerator to join the Car Crawl and meet in their cars at North Quay Road before travelling along the South Coast Road and into Brighton, up West Street to the Brighthelm Centre, down North Road and back to Newhaven.

A spokesman for DOVE said it was not an official protest, even though it was advertised on the group's website.

Sussex Police sergeant David Kemp said: 'The Police are committed to ensuring that the free-flow of traffic on all major roads is maintained and that any protest action does not impede that traffic flow. Whilst individuals are free to express themselves, any deliberate action to slow down or block roads would make those drivers liable to prosecution for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users. If convicted, this offence can attract a fine, penalty points on a driving licence and also the risk of disqualification.'

The mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Rod Main, was backing the protest.

He said: 'The question is, what else do you do to get people to take notice? There is a need to be original in methods of protests. We have to make the point that, after seven years, the opposition is still as strong as it has ever been, possibly more so given the deaf ears we've been presented with.'

What do you think. Send us a letter (please include your name and address. email