v(b) 'Provision for a new railway station adjacent to Ravenside Retail Park':
It is unsound because:-
This proposal was included in the SEEDA document 'Forward - a masterplan for Hastings and Bexhill' which was published in November 2002. It was part of a 'metro' system which would also include a station at Bulverhythe, Marina (St Leonards), Ivy House and Wilting (Wilting has been shelved by Hastings BC)
- How might the land on the sea side of Ravenside support a station?
- There have been concerns about the instability of the earth there.
- Visitors to Ravenside tend to do so to purchase bulky goods or large quantities of shopping. Many seem to come from Hastings and St Leonards. It is difficult to imagine that there would be any relief to the congestion on the local road because of the provision of this station as car transport is more effective for this kind of door to door shopping.
There should be a co-ordinated approach with Hastings Borough Council to facilitate effective movement between the two towns (by rail, cycle and road). This would be in our long term best interests.
Bexhill can be both a 'dormitory area' for Hastings (and Eastbourne) commuters as well as a vibrant town in its own right with opportunities for people of all ages.