Question 6 re. addressing poor connectivity with the wider region and London, localised congestion and high reliance on car use

Comment

Representation ID: 18866

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: BALI

As in your 7.25, the Link Road will be of no use without a new link between Queensway and the A21. It would simply transfer congestion from one area to another.

The Link Road needs to be subject to a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

The Link Road should not be at the expense of better public transport but rather combined with public transport improvements, in particular the 'Metro Rail' Link with stations at Glyne Gap and Wilting.

Without better public transport the aims of the Link Road to reduce congestion would not be achieved.

Comment

Representation ID: 18883

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: Strutt & Parker

In Districts like Rother, there should be acknowledgement that there is little practical alternative to the private car for most people living in the rural area, and that the best way to ensure that local trips are kept to a minimum is to support local services in service centres, to allow multi-purpose journeys to be made.

We are pleased to see recognition at 7.34 that the spread of home working and the growth in rural enterprise in comparatively remote locations is likely to lead to an in demand for small high specification business units, rather that the reverse.

Comment

Representation ID: 18901

Received: 15/02/2007

Respondent: Ms. Elizabeth Goldsworthy

The building of the Bexhill Link Road is an attempt to do something but would in no way improve the traffic problem in this area. Where it would leave and rejoins the A259 would introduce greater stress. Freight on our roads is a major problem. Dealing with the volume on our roads could be by using rail. Rye roads are a major concern. Rye Hill and Bridge are dangerous. The one way system in the town leaves no margin for error. The schools should be accessible by cycle routes. It is difficult to park close to the shops and restaurants.

Comment

Representation ID: 18908

Received: 16/02/2007

Respondent: Councillor David Vereker

This seems to me to be very largely outside our sphere of influence (?and remit) Patently the road and rail systems are totally inadequate to enable any worthwhile regeneration. The value
of Regeneration has not yet been proven to my satisfaction and is certainly not entirely popular. Remember there is no point in building a road to get somewhere if you don't want to be there when you've got there i.e roads and people (etc) can spoil a once nice spot. Should the question be asked, is Bexhill some such spot?

Comment

Representation ID: 18916

Received: 16/02/2007

Respondent: Councillor David Vereker

I am disappointed that no thought has been given to sea transport. Modern fast passenger and/or freight catamarans or similar could run all along the South coast with fairly minimal port facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 18932

Received: 19/02/2007

Respondent: Rother Voluntary Action

. If there was only one thing you could do in the whole strategy this would be it. Without substantial upgrading of Rother's communications and transport infrastructure all the other plans will wither and die.

. A259 East/West to Brighton and Ashford, A21 North to London. Rail links are the most important links.

. Managing speed is a quality of life issue - and lowering speeds in built up areas and through villages is a must - it is mystifying why this is not already done.

. Until there is a regular, cheap, reliable and ubiquitous bus service, people will opt for other forms of transport. Don't ignore rail for the coastal strip - additional stations and a metro rail service Eastbourne to Hastings would be great.

Comment

Representation ID: 18933

Received: 19/02/2007

Respondent: Rother Voluntary Action

What are the main issues for car parking? There should be more car parking which is planned with public transport systems (park and ride?). With car ownership and usage continuing to grow it does not make sense to continue not to invest in car parking. In fact this failure to invest is a likely contributing factor in the decline of Bexhill town centre as a shopping destination.

Some early indicators from the Local Action Planning programme have shown a desire for people to have the opportunity to access office facilities locally where they are out-commuters (usually to London) but able to work from home for part of the time. Should this question be part of economic sustainability rather than communications and accessibility?

I would replace this with a theme of Transport and Accessibility.

Comment

Representation ID: 18963

Received: 22/02/2007

Respondent: Mrs Joan Goldsworthy

New Stations at Glyne Gap and Wilting should be required to provide adequate car parking.

Comment

Representation ID: 18971

Received: 22/02/2007

Respondent: Rother Valley Railway

We consider that the RVR Robertsbridge/Bodiam link should be added to the list of potential transport schemes. The RVR would open up access to the Rother valley from anywhere on the UK national rail network without the need to travel by car.

Comment

Representation ID: 18996

Received: 26/02/2007

Respondent: Natural England

Encouragement of schemes such as â€~Tourism without Traffic’ has already taken place in Sussex.