Save our valley

A guided tour of the land began at Laura and Ray Boggis' property in Crowhurst, north of the development site.

Bynes Farm's 52 acres fall away down the valley to border the link road. Laura and Ray have lived there for 25 years, but say if the road goes ahead, that could change.

Laura said: "There are so few spaces for people to enjoy. We want the valley as it is '“ perfect. Having been here so long, to live through two or three years of it being torn up and ripped apart would break our hearts."

Coming into the valley past bright yellow fields of oilseed rape, the couple voice their objections to the plan.

Ray said: "My feeling is that the planners and the highways agency are well aware that there is a serious problem with fog in the valley.

"It's irresponsible to build a road knowing that it could cause serious accidents and fatalities. They should know better and they are in a position to stop it."

In a letter to Mr Boggis, Director of Transport and Environment for East Sussex County Council Rupert Clubb answers this appeal, saying: "There is no doubt that localised fog patches do occur. However, these are found right across the county and there is no particular prevalence of fog related accidents.

"While the issue was explored, fog was not considered to be an overrising issue in determining the route of the BHLR."

Mr Boggis cites reports which contradict this viewpoint, and says the council have underestimated the severity of the mist.

This valley is composed largely of peat, which the couple say goes to a depth of 30 metres. In Roman times the area was covered by sea. Now marshy and verdant, cups and hollows in the ground act as shelter from the sea wind.

At the Queensway end, by Upper Wilting Farm, the couple claim the ground is largely sandstone.

Planners have overcome these structural difficulties with an embankment up to 18 metres high.

This contributes towards the 100million cost of the 3.4 mile road - over 18,000 per metre.

Laura said: "I think the cost of building these 3.4 miles cannot be justified. I don't think the people of Bexhill realise how much it will cost them. I haven't met anyone who wants this road. The beauty of Bexhill is that it is what it is - a place for families and children."

The various walkers and cyclists introduced by the Boggis' along the route voice similar objections.

Along a stream we reach a bridge. Behind, marshland stretches to Pebsham. A plastic sign tacked onto the bridge explains this is the site of the country park.

The Boggis' say the park is a PR exercise intended to negate ill-feeling over the development.

Laura said: "We've got a country park already. People use the valley for bird watching, fishing, walking, running and cycling. What is not mentioned in all the hype regarding the country park is that a huge road will be built through the middle of it causing environmental damage.

"The areas which are now green fields outside the boundary of the country park will be built on with 50,000 houses and factories."

Blue measuring posts installed by East Sussex County Council show the road's position. To the north and south, small reservoirs will be built to accommodate the excess run-off from the embankment. The route passes close to the designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, a status given to sites of national importance due to their biodiversity.

It is a development the family are trying desperately to avoid.

The tour ends at a small wooden hut outside Bynes Farm.

The petition it houses has gathered over 500 signatures. At the other end of the valley, The Hastings Alliance Website registers over 1,800 objections to the County Council.

The passion people feel for this issue is clear. After all, the valley is truly beautiful.

Those wishing to register objections will have an opportunity to do so at the public enquiry which has been granted over the Compulsory Purchase Orders and Side Road Orders likely to be held in July or August.

Local MP Greg Barker commented: "The link road is vital to the future prosperity of our town and will have real benefits for the wider area too.

"Of course, it will not be without some environmental cost and any scheme needs to be sensitive to our landscape, but having carefully considered and balanced all the different factors, I strongly come down in favour of the road."

For more information on both sides of the argument visit www.hastingsalliance.com or click on the Bexhill and Hastings Link Road tab under the Roads and Transport section of www.eastsussex.gov