SPOTLIGHT: Councillors delay decision on Exceat Bridge scheme
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Plans to replace Exceat Bridge remain uncertain, after county council leaders deferred a decision on whether to scale back the scheme in the face of rising costs. East Sussex County Council’s cabinet had been due to decide today (March 4) whether to discontinue plans to replace the single-lane […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Booking system for tip approved despite huge opposition
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Proposals to introduce a booking system at East Sussex rubbish tips have been approved by a senior county councillor. The proposals were agreed by Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment, on Monday (February 24). The decision is despite huge resistance from […]
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SPOTLIGHT: “The more we get rid of cars, the safer the town centre will be”
By Huw Oxburgh, BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter The assumption that properties require a parking space, even in the town centre, was challenged last night by the Mayor of Eastbourne. Cllr Candy Vaughan (Lib Dem) was speaking as a member of the town’s planning committee as it approved plans to redevelop the site of the former […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Solar panels on Eastbourne Levels given go ahead
By Rebecca Maer Solar panels will be installed across an agricultural flood plain either side of the railway track into Eastbourne after councillors approved the scheme. They voted narrowly in favour – with three for, two against and one absention – after the scheme was discussed at last night’s Eastbourne Borough Council planning meeting. The […]
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SPOTLIGHT: How green are our general election candidates?
All six candidates in Eastbourne standing in the general election were put through their paces at an environmental hustings meeting in the town last night. They answered questions on improving public transport, cycling and walking routes, on clean energy and on sea water quality. Organiser Gem Aellah, chair of Bespoke Cycle Group, told the meeting […]
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SPOTLIGHT: An artist’s view of the Turner Prize legacy
The arrival of the prestigious Turner Prize in Eastbourne attracted worldwide attention and drew thousands of visitors to see the work of four artists at the Towner gallery. But beyond the whirl of activity and the televised prize ceremony, there have been projects involving the people of Eastbourne running quietly in the background. One of […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Energy project could bring 50,000 solar panels to Eastbourne Levels
Part of the Eastbourne Levels could be covered in 50,000 solar panels if planning permission is approved for a renewable energy project in a multi-million pound deal, a public meeting heard. The land, owned by the Duke of Devonshire, covers an 80-acre site currently used for livestock grazing. The solar panels could be positioned east […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Could Eastbourne have more 20mph speed limits?
Campaigners for a 20mph limit in residential areas have dismissed claims by East Sussex County Council that it would require “significant and costly traffic management measures” to put in place. The introduction of 20mph speed limit areas in Eastbourne still seems a distant prospect, despite widespread support from political parties, residents and businesses. An alliance […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Visions of greener transport in Eastbourne
Car-free, elegant public spaces in the town centre, frequent buses, and safe cycling for families and commuters was the vision presented at a sustainable transport summit in Eastbourne. There was consensus that the current situation could not continue: car dependency, daily traffic jams, gridlocked roundabouts, unreliable buses, driving speeds which endanger pedestrians, and few safe […]
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SPOTLIGHT: Hours of storm releases not made public for nine days
Southern Water did not release information about several storm releases of rain water and sewage into the sea near Eastbourne for nine days. Five storm releases lasting a total of more than five hours happened soon after Storm Ciaran in early November. But they did not show on Southern Water’s dedicated web page for storm overflows […]
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