Seagulls Party Candidate welcomes Government Commitment to Safer Junction at Glynde

[The Seagulls Party]

PRESS RELEASE
10 August 2006

SEAGULLS PARTY CANDIDATE WELCOMES GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO SAFER JUNCTION AT GLYNDE

Seagulls Party by-election candidate, Ed Bassford, today welcomed the government's announcement that the A27 Beddingham crossing scheme will include a proposal that he put forward at last year's Public Inquiry.

The scheme, which received government approval on 8 August, will include provisions for junction improvements at Glynde, as well as a bridge over the railway at Beddingham. The Glynde turning improvements will be necessary to help local traffic safely join the A27 Polegate - Lewes road, once traffic speeds and volumes increase with the removal of the tailbacks to the existing level crossing.

Ed also welcomed the government's promise that the Highways Agency would consider whether similar improvements could be provided for the side roads in Firle.

Commenting on the announcement by Secretaries of State Ruth Kelly and Douglas Alexander, Ed Bassford said:- 'This news will be welcomed by local people who have been living with long traffic queues at Beddingham for years. The new bridge will undoubtedly have an impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But it is gratifying that Ruth Kelly and her colleague have recognised that it is important to strike the right balance between protecting the AONB and meeting the needs of people in Sussex.

'I will continue to argue the case for Glynde and Firle as details of the proposed scheme become available'.

-ENDS-

Note for Editors:-

Ed Bassford is contesting the by-election for the vacant seat on Lewes District Council in the Ouse Valley and Ringmer ward. Voting takes place on Thursday 17 August.

Ed presented his proposals for junction improvements at Glynde and Firle to the Public Inquiry held at Lewes in 2005. He did so as a representative of Firle Parish Council, where he has been a councillor since 1990.

Paragraph 14 of the government's decision letter on the Beddingham scheme refers to the Glynde and Firle side road issues.

Further information on The Seagulls Party can be found on www.seagullsparty.org

 

[dougdeep]

2 years of chaos while they build it. Can we have a by-pass LB?

 

[Hunting 784561]

Shame it's not dual carriageway either.

 

[Monkey Man]

When do the bulldozers arrive? How will it work -- a new temporary crossing of some kind while the work is in progress or what?

 

[Ed Bassford]

When do the bulldozers arrive? How will it work -- a new temporary crossing of some kind while the work is in progress or what?

The bridge doesn't follow the line of the existing A27. In fact, they have to demolish Norman Baker's old house - ludicrously described as 'historic' in today's Argus - to fit the bridge in, south of the existing road. The level crossing can remain in use while they build the structure.

 

[Everest]

Shame it's his old house. Can't he visit it just once to reminisce?

Preferably when the bulldozers go in.

 

[Brovion]

BUILD A PROPER A27 THROUGH SUSSEX!

Far less environmentally damaging than having cars burning petrol sitting stationary in single lanes queueing for roundabouts and traffic lights in places like Arundel, Worthing, Lancing, Lewes, Polegate etc.

Won't happen though as the government don't want to decrease fuel consumption as it will mean less revenue, so all you misguided envirionmentalists who think a few chemical-soaked fields are better than roads can sleep easy.

Oh, and re-open the railways as well. Why do we have to have such a shit transport infrastructure down here?

 

[Stinky Kat]

The Government policy ease conjestion is to price people off the road and rails according to a Senior Civil Servant DfT spokeman who I heard speaking at a civil service do in the spring

 

[Ccider]

BUILD A PROPER A27 THROUGH SUSSEX!

Far less environmentally damaging than having cars burning petrol sitting stationary in single lanes queueing for roundabouts and traffic lights in places like Arundel, Worthing, Lancing, Lewes, Polegate etc.