Hastings bypasses rejected in wide-ranging study [12 July 2001]

THE GOVERNMENT has decided to reject plans for the controversial Hastings bypasses. This is a major victory for campaigners who argued the plans would have devastated the surrounding countryside without solving the area's transport problems.

The decision follows a wide-ranging study looking at how the Western and Eastern Hastings bypasses would affect the regeneration of the area.

Announcing the decision to reject the bypasses Minister for Transport John Spellar said: "The study did not build a convincing regeneration case for the by-passes - it concluded that although the by-passes could possibly help to generate employment in the area this would not necessarily help those in most need. There would be reduced congestion in some areas of the town but the position would get worse in other areas.

"Against these rather weak arguments we had to place the evidently severe implications for the environment - two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a designated wildlife site surround Hastings.

"I have carefully considered the Study and concluded that whilst transport investment is important to the regeneration of Hastings I do not believe the two by-passes are the solution."

Alternative transport schemes will now be looked at including improvements to rail and bus services in the area.

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