About Rye’s Highways Forum

In case your readers are wondering why Rye Highways Forum meetings are not held in public (Letters, 27 September) it is simply the case that is effectively a working group initiated by the Town Council and, as such, there is no legal requirement for it to meet in public.

The Forum has two broad purposes. The first is to assist those bodies intending to undertake major road or utility works in the town with local knowledge in order to help minimise disruption. The second is to discuss highways –related issues (such as parking, pedestrianisation, highways maintenance) and to make recommendations to meetings of the Town Council. (Council and Planning Committee meetings both include provision for the public to comment.)

The Forum’s membership comprises a restricted number of representatives from the Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Conservation Society, Community Transport and Hoteliers and Caterers. The County Councillor, Highways Officers and Police have a standing invitation to attend meetings.

The Council set out to limit the size of the Forum so that its work could be kept manageable. However, if a member of the public wishes to address the Forum on a particular issue a request may be sent to its Chairman, Councillor Granville Bantick c/o Rye Town Hall, Rye TN31 7LA or by email [email protected].

Yours faithfully, Richard Farhall, Rye Town Clerk.