A pool full of happy memories looks to the future
Volunteer community reporter Mary Mckay, who swam regularly at Motcombe Pool from 2012 until it closed due to Covid in 2020, finds out the latest on the renovation of this Edwardian building in Old Town. The hoardings have gone up around Motcombe swimming pool. Something is happening at last – but what? I asked Helen […]
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Money taken back from grounds maintenance contractor for falling below standard
By Rebecca Maer Ten default notices to claw back money from grounds maintenance contractor idverde have been issued by Eastbourne Borough Council over the last 18 months. idverde is paid around £70,000 a month for work in Eastbourne, according to council contract data. A Freedom of Information (FoI) request by Eastbourne Reporter has revealed the […]
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‘Separate buses from cars, so the bus is the choice’
Public transport in Eastbourne is nowhere near as widely used as in other areas of Sussex, such as Brighton and Hove. Largely empty double-decker buses can be seen at peak times in Eastbourne, stuck in traffic queues of private cars. In the town, 25,000 miles of scheduled bus mileage a year are lost as journeys […]
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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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