What a wasted chance for better Bexhill

As a community we have been on an incredible journey over the last few months. We have lived our lives with limited social interactions and acquired the things that we want or need either online or queuing at local essential shops.

Lockdown is being eased but the fear of a further spike is in the minds of our scientists and government officials.

ESCC have been offered the financial backing from Central Government to fund a different way of doing things. To think about how we shop, what is now a priority in our high streets and how we can keep safe in the social space available to us. Can we do more cycling instead of driving, and can we consider walking more to improve our general health and wellbeing?

Who could possibly think that this funding was not going to be good for our town centre? Not only was it going to address many of the targets set in Rother’s Environment Strategy.....car free zones, clean air, and reduction of CO2 emissions, it was going to enable people to feel safe in a pedestrianised area, people with disabilities would have easier access, and shops would have the space to improve their independent access for disabled or elderly people. Cafes could spread out in the outside space and give people an opportunity to socialise safely, and in turn businesses would be projecting their staff from the limited space that is available to them for serving their customers.

Western Road and Devonshire Road with planters, trees, seats, market stalls, areas for music, art and culture and unique little shops would draw people to the town as it would offer something different to the commercial towns of Hastings and Eastbourne.

All that has been thrown away by a Chamber of Commerce that lack vision. Vision creates possibilities, and those possibilities will also bring a new level of experience.

This is a time where we have an opportunity to have a new normal, and if we want to make changes then previous arrangements can be considered and planned for. They should never be a blocking point to change.

Bexhill has not seen change for the 40 years I have been here, and it will not see change now. This is a missed opportunity that was not going to cost the local tax payer anything, and had the majority of support from local councillors.

I hope that the Chamber of Commerce will reflect on what is lost when nothing changes...... open green space, social vibrancy, a unique shopping experience and access for all.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.