Triple breakthrough on school crossings

Bexhill College and Nazareth House have put forward a joint safety scheme which they would fund as developers.

The scheme is for not one but THREE button-operated pedestrian crossings at the difficult Hastings Road site, scene of a protest rally involving hundreds of parents and pupils a fortnight ago.

The plans were met by rounds of applause from St Mary Magdalene's Parent Action Group at the Rother planning meeting last Thursday.

The combination of Bexhill College developing on the old Charters Ancaster site and the redevelopment of Nazareth House has led to fears that roads in the area cannot take the estimated strain.

The 91 flats at the old convent site would add to current traffic congestion as well as that anticipated with the development of Bexhill College.

The proposal is to widen the junction of Wrestwood Road and Hastings Road and install two central islands.

The grass verge outside Nazareth House would be cut back to allow for two lanes from Wrestwood Road, one straight ahead to Glyne Gap, one turning right into Penland Road or Hastings Road.

Pedestrian-operated crossings would be installed in Penland Road and in the two sections of Hastings Road.

Vicky Cumming-Bart, a member of the Action Group, said: "We have moved a mountain at the end of the day. So long as we get safety, that is the main thing."

The planning committee has approved the plan for the next stage.

Both applicants, Nazareth House and Bexhill College, will now look into legal agreements to state the package of safety measures will go ahead with the developments.

Without this agreement the Highways Authority will not approve development on the Nazareth House site.