News Release : 21 February 2001

NEW REGIONAL PLANNING BODY VOTES IN FAVOUR OF HASTINGS BYPASSES

Members of the South East England Regional Assembly voted in favour of the Hastings bypasses being built, when they met last week to decide advice to government on regeneration and transport in the South East.

129 representatives from the region's local authorities, economic, social and environmental bodies attended the first Assembly plenary of 2001 at Aylesbury Civic Centre in Buckinghamshire, where they discussed and voted
on recommendations relating to the Access to Hastings Multi-Modal Study.

Assembly Director of Regional Planning and Transport Mike Gwilliam said: "In arriving at its formal advice the Assembly has been faced with the need to strike a delicate balance between what might at times appear to be conflicting social, economic and environmental needs. There is agreement among all parties as to the need to give Hastings and Bexhill the best possible opportunity to grow. The way forward identified by the Assembly needs to ensure that this is achieved in the most sustainable way."

The Assembly's formal recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of State later this month.

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
   
   
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
   
   
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
   
   
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
   
   
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007

Copyright © 2004 SEERA Limited. All rights reserved.