14 hours ago
Plans for new cycle lane 'strongly rejected' by residents
Plans to build a new cycle lane near Eastbourne seafront have been "strongly rejected" by residents.
The people living around Wilmington Square have opposed the proposals after a site visit with council contractors.
Meads councillor Robert Smart arranged the meeting between residents and engineers from Balfour Beatty after early-stage plans for a new cycle route came to light.
The plans included a three-metre-wide cycle lane along the southern edge of the green, relocation of lamp posts, conversion of one road to one-way, and removal of six parking spaces.
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A three-metre-wide strip of grass, part of the original Victorian square, would be replaced with tarmac.
However, many residents were unaware of the scheme until the meeting.
Colin Ball, a resident in the area, said: "It's a complete waste of money and time."
Councillor Smart added: "Spending thousands of pounds to build a short cycle lane across a quiet square - one that's already used safely by both cyclists and drivers - is a complete waste of public money.
"Residents were shocked to learn of these plans and are quite rightly asking why, at a time when so many local services are under pressure, this is being treated as a priority.
"It's a badly thought-through scheme with no local support."
The Friends of Wilmington Square group, led by Cathy Woolgar, is questioning how previous consultations failed to inform them about the proposed scheme.
Councillor Smart is now calling for the plan to be paused and for a proper consultation with residents before any irreversible damage is done to the historic public space.
