'Traders' apathy disgusting'

More than 134 official invites were sent out about the event at The Mermaid, De La Warr Parade, yet only 15 members attended - most of whom sit on the executive committee.

The meeting saw link road project manager Julian Thomas, of the Transport and Environment department at East Sussex County Council, outline the proposed link road routes and answer questions from chamber members.

Communications officer for the Chamber of Commerce, Sue Spice, was extremely disappointed with members' efforts.

She said: "It's just the apathy of Bexhill and it's disgusting. Many of the traders who live outside the town just aren't interested and that's very sad because their staff and customers must use this road.

"We can lead them to the water but we cannot make them drink."

Chairman Tony Mansi agreed that local businessmen should be more concerned with the issues going on around them. He said: "We send this message out every time. If they are interested in the future and the regeneration of the economy in Bexhill then they have got to learn to participate."

Those who did attend were keen to express their views about the road and grilled Mr Thomas about the proposed routes.

Michael Kent, chairman of the Old Town Preservation Society, raised concerns that the link road would not do enough to ease the burden on Bexhill and a large scale plan such as the previously rejected bypass was required.

He said: "We really need a whole scheme rather than what is being said about doing it in stages."

Mr Thomas pointed out that the chance of a bypass has disappeared, but the link road could operate alongside proposed improvements to the A21 and a junction with the Worsham Farm development would be considered.

He also revealed that the new road will not be a dual carriageway but did not rule out possible expansion in the future.

He said: "It will be a wide single carriageway road but with enough room for overtaking."

Cllr Brian Kentfield, encouraged people at the meeting to give the link road their full support.

He said: "I am convinced this road will be a tremendous link to the world outside. I recommend people support whatever route they fell most strongly about as we will not see this chance for another 20 years."

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Stuart Earl, believes that an improved road network is essential to the town's economic survival.

"Producers do not want to have to travel through the town," he said. "This plan has to keep investment in the area because sooner or later the roads will drive them away."

Also raised at the meeting was the possibility that statutory bodies, such as the Environment Agency and English Nature, will heavily influence the government's decision on whether to accept the plans.

Mr Thomas added: "It is quite possible that if we put the orange route up, it will be rejected just as the bypass route was.

"If we are all singing from the same hymn sheet the government has an easy decision to make, but if we differ, does it go with our economic scheme or the view of environmental groups?"