News Release : 17 January 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY PLANNING COMMITTEE VOTES IN FAVOUR OF URGENT TRANSPORT INVESTMENT PROGRAMME FOR HASTINGS

The South East England Regional Assembly has voted in favour of a substantial and urgent transport investment programme as part of an overall regeneration scheme for Hastings.

The Assembly's Planning Committee meeting last week gave long consideration to the outcomes of the Access to Hastings study, which is the first of several multi-modal studies (MMS) currently underway in the region,
and the first in the country to report.

Hastings is the most deprived district in the South East region and is identified in both Regional Planning Guidance and the Regional Economic Strategy as a very high priority for regeneration.

After considering a paper and hearing a presentation from Assembly Director of Regional Planning and Transport Mike Gwilliam, and Head of Transport Martin Tugwell, Planning Committee members discussed the issues.

Local Assembly member and vice-chair of the Assembly's Planning Committee Councillor Mike Skinner said: "In conclusion we considered that a very substantial transport investment programme must be an essential component of a wider regeneration programme for the Hastings area. The Committee further considered that implementation of that programme needed to begin as a matter of urgency."

"Members are mindful that such a programme must be sustainable reflecting the social, economic and environmental issues, and be in line with Regional Planning Guidance," said Cllr Skinner.

Last week's Planning Committee consideration of the Hastings study was the first major step in the Assembly's process which culminates with formal recommendations about the Access to Hastings Study going to the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions in the spring.

In the meantime, the Assembly's Executive Committee will consider the study and recommendations at its meeting on Friday 19 January. This will be followed by the plenary meeting of the Assembly on Wednesday 14 February, when all members will have a final opportunity to consider the Hastings recommendations, and vote on them.

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