Budget grants £56m to fund controversial road

Combe Haven Valley
copyright: Simon Carey
http://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1833

by Damien Murphy

The controversial link road between Hastings and Bexhill received a pledge of £56 million in yesterday’s Budget, to the fury of environmental campaigners.

The 5.6km (3 mile) route, which will cross Combe Haven Valley to link the A259 and B2092, was outlined in 2004 and received planning permission in 2009.

A decision on funding for the scheme has been delayed since December as the Department for Transport considered other alternatives, including a rail link.

Last chance to have your say on the future of Bexhill High School

by Hope Wisechild

The consultation on the proposed change to academy status of a local high school will close at noon tomorrow.

Bexhill High School, which moved into new premises in Gunters Lane in November 2010, has asked parents, students and staff to represent their views to the governing body.

The government has made it clear it wants as many schools as possible to become academies, and a number of East Sussex schools are currently going through the same process.   Ratton in Eastbourne, Hailsham Community College and Rye Community College  are under consultation, and Cavendish School’s governing body recently gave a similar scheme the go-ahead.