Minister optimistic over link road

THE PROPOSED link road between Bexhill and Hastings has been given the amber light by transport minister Stephen Ladyman.

Talking to the Observer just before a meeting with local businessmen, the Government minister said local people should be "extremely optimistic" about the road being built - although he did remain tight-lipped about when an official announcement would be made.

He said: "Just coming here today I can see the need for the road and I cannot think of any reason why a positive announcement should not be expected."

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A decision is forecast by the Summer and work is due to start in 2007 - with a two-year completion date.

The road, which will alleviate about an estimated 40 per cent of the traffic from the A259, will be built at a cost of 47m and the good news for supporters of the scheme is it will be funded in whole by the Government by a series of grants to East Sussex County Council.

A second, smaller link road will be built to compliment the Hastings to Bexhill road.

This will cost a further 20m and building is likely to start once the main road is finished.

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Mr Ladyman said: "The first road has rightly been prioritise by the region and will be among the first new roads to be built in the coming years.

"The second link road will follow with a probably start date of 2009-2011."

Michael Foster, MP for Hastings and Rye, who organised the ministerial visit, said: "This is good news for the town because it will open up overlooked parts of Hastings and stimulate further regeneration in the area.

"I know the idea of regeneration was central to the decision the Government made."

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The delay in an official announcement is because the Department of Transport needs to wait until other proposals have been decided on before a wide-ranging announcement can be made. Mr Ladyman said: "There is no need to worry about how this road will be paid for.

"The main thing the people of Hastings and Bexhill need to know is this road will be built."