Car park quest goes on

Rother District Council is responsible for the Mount Street and Market Square car parks and had previously been in talks with Battle Town Council, which had expressed an interest in taking over management of the car parks.

But despite lengthy negotiations, no agreement was reached.

At last month’s meeting, one councillor accused Rother of ‘misleading’ the town council and said negotiations had left them ‘out of pocket’.

Town council chairman Richard Bye, Cllr Ron Harris and town clerk Peter Mills met with Bexhill and Battle MP Greg Barker recently to discuss the issue.

Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday night, Cllr Bye said: “We said how disappointed we were with what’s gone on these last two or three years.

“He came up with the suggestion that we write to Rother again and see if we can get anywhere with them.

“I cannot see we will get anywhere, but I have written to them.

“We are waiting to hear.”

Cllr Paula Fisher said: “They are not going to let Mount Street car park go, ever.

“It’s what keeps Rother going.”

Cllr Bye added that Mr Barker had promised to pass on the council’s comments about the Localism Bill to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.