News Release : 12 July 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY EXPRESSES FEARS FOR SOUTH COAST REGENERATION AFTER GOVERNMENT REJECTS HASTINGS BYPASSES RECOMMENDATIONS

THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY has expressed fears for the successful regeneration of Hastings and the South Coast after Government rejected the recommendations to build bypasses, which were part of the Assembly's recommendations on the Access to Hastings Multi Modal Study.

Whilst acknowledging that Government faced a difficult decision, it is the Assembly's view that the rejection of the proposed bypasses raises question marks over the Government's commitment to the delivery of urban renaissance in the region's coastal towns.

Cllr David Shakespeare, Chair of the Regional Assembly said: "The proposed bypasses had been an integral part of a comprehensive package of transport proposals identified by the Access to Hastings Multi Modal Study. It is extremely disappointing to see a key element of that package rejected by the Government."

He continued: "The Secretary of State has accepted that substantial investment in the transport system is an essential component of a wider regeneration strategy. In rejecting the full recommendations of the Regional Assembly the Government has raised doubts over the regeneration of one of the most deprived communities in the country."

"It is disappointing that the Government appears to have undervalued the considerable amount of work that has taken place since the study in developing the regeneration package for the area."

Cllr Nick Skellett, Chair of the Regional Planning Committee commented: "The Regional Assembly has supported the Multi Modal Study process. It is therefore all the more disappointing that a package of investment which had the support of all local authorities, as well as the Regional Assembly and Regional Development Agency, has been accepted only in part. The challenge for us all is to deliver regeneration."

The Assembly is considering the implications of the Secretary of State's announcement in detail. It intends to work closely with regional and local partners in developing a way forward for Hastings and Bexhill.

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

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