Wide support for ideas to improve town

HUNDREDS of people visited an exhibition highlighting ideas and plans to regenerate Newhaven.

The display organised by the Newhaven Strategic Network (NSN), at the Denton Island Training and Business Centre, looked at a range of topics including transport, the environment, business, education and quality of life.

NSN chairman Penny Shimmin said: 'There was general support for developing the port, Railway Quay, building a new railway station and for Tideway School to be moved nearer the town centre.

'However, residents were concerned that the housing and business development were going to create additional traffic and wanted priority given to pedestrians and cyclists.'

Many people were concerned about the appearance of the town and felt that urgent attention was needed to visitor areas such as the town centre and the West Beach.

They saw recreation facilities for young people as a priority and felt that the town should have free parking.

Also important to people was access to training and the development of youngsters' potential through schemes like the Sure Start programme.

Mrs Shimmin added: 'Residents filling in survey forms said that Newhaven had many assets which made it very special - the ferry link, the port, the river, fishing, the South Downs, West Beach plus a real sense of community - and that these deserve to be preserved and promoted.

'However, the majority believe that an incinerator would destroy the potential of Newhaven environmentally and economically.'