Coombe Valley Way, the Link Road between Hastings and Bexhill, was opened in 2015. The building of this road was considered vital for the economic development of Bexhill and Hastings and although the project was led by East Sussex County Council it was built as part of SeaChange’s development programme.
Coombe Valley Way (the Link Road) provides access to vital employment sites across Hastings and Rother District. The 42 acres of land in north-east Bexhill, designated since 2006 for employment sites, is able to support 500,000 square feet of business premises – in addition to the fully developed Churchfields and Castleham business centres in St Leonards, and could support up to 3,000 new jobs according to Sea Change. It would enable new businesses to locate here and existing businesses to grow.
This regeneration programme was a 10 year development programme running to 2022. So where is the development in north-east Bexhill and the space for our businesses to relocate and grow and other businesses to locate to this part of East Sussex and provide much needed jobs? And where is the Queensway Gateway, which should have been built almost a decade ago? The failure to build this road is a blocker to regeneration and economic growth in Hastings and Rother District and whoever is responsible for this failure should be held to account. The failure to complete the Link Road via the Queensway Gateway has also caused traffic misery to local people.
This is why local MP, Sally-Ann Hart is determined that the Queensway Gateway is completed as a matter of priority -
“Residents and business deserve better than the arrogant behaviour and lack of action by SeaChange to complete the Queensway Gateway. MPs and councillors have tried to grapple with the situation for a number of years to no avail. But this situation cannot go on. I am calling for the Queensway Gateway to be completed this year by using Levelling-up Partnership funds, the costs shared between the Hastings and Rother Levelling-up Partnerships.”
“I resent the fact that I am calling for levelling-up funds to be used for a project that should have been completed years ago, but needs must and for the sake of our local residents and businesses, and for the sake of levelling-up Hastings and Bexhill, this is a necessary use of funds, will encourage business growth, boost employment and make life better for residents on our roads.”
“I am calling for the last remaining section of the Link Road, The Queensway Gateway to be completed as soon as possible. Add your name to my online campaign calling for its completion: www.sallyannhart.online"