Shoppers' safety plans

Mini-roundabouts, a pedestrian footpath and help points would aim to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow. If plans go ahead the retail park would benefit from a 50,000 camera system, better lighting, help points and a security control building.

Rother Planning committee gave their support to the plan at a meeting last Thursday.

They are prepared to grant the application planning permission if satisfactory lighting plans are submitted and contamination issues on the former gas work site are examined.

The proposed scheme would address crime problems in and around the well known crime black-spot. Bexhill Police are called to Ravenside on an average of once a day to deal with crimes and incidents.

The plans coincide with a bid from sector commander Inspector Max Mosley and Rother Responsible Partnership for CCTV on the A259. The partnership applied for aid from the Government Office for the South East last year.

Alongside the proposal for Ravenside this would enhance the security of one part of Bexhill that currently suffers high crime and incident rates.

Inspector Max Mosley feels CCTV for the site and adjoining roundabout are essential for better crime prevention in Bexhill.

He said "The fact that the planning committee are prepared to grant planning permission after certain criteria are met is certainly a step along the way to a safer Bexhill.."

Chief Building Officer Bob Scrivener said there may still be contaminated soil on the site from its days as a gas works.

"The whole site was formerly Hastings Gas Works. Contamination under the sealed area is not a threat but there are health and safety aspects for workers if work goes ahead on changing the layout of the car park."