Misery on the roads

That's was the warning from councillors, residents and a protest group set up to oppose the new Ravenside traffic control measures this week.

New traffic lights will be installed at the De La Warr Road / Brett Drive junction when the drive becomes an exit point for a new car park as part of the retail park's expansion scheme.

It will lead to even more delays on the clogged A259 at Glyne Gap and there is fury in the town because the government overruled local planners who initially refused the scheme.

After a public inquiry, the government decided the scheme would have no significant traffic impact, despite the fact it will mean a second set of traffic lights and a second pedestrian crossing close to a roundabout already handling 32,000 vehicle movements a day.

The instruction came from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

MP Greg Barker said: "I'm totally opposed to the extension of Ravenside and it is disgraceful the way in which John Prescott has ridden rough-shod over local opinion.

"It is another example of this government totally ignoring local communities.

"Local people in Bexhill are far better positioned to asses the impact of extra traffic on residents and the long term viability of our town centre, than John Prescott sitting in his office in Whitehall."

Councillors said this week the government had ignored local opinion and foisted the scheme on Bexhill with no thought for the consequences.