Concerns roadworks will impact Eastbourne's summer trading season
The works are being paid for by a £19.8m grant from the government's Levelling Up Fund and are expected to be complete by December.The government extended the deadline for funding to be spent by local authorities to the end of March next year, which some traders said gave time to delay the works over summer."Most of the traders here do believe that the summer is their peak, especially the restaurants," Paul Klein, owner of Eastbourne Antique Centre, said."I think the roadworks would impact them. For me, there would probably be less impact."There's a further extension until March, so it would make sense to pause the works for the summer and continue again in September to finish it off."
Ebony McNeill, owner of Drop of the Ocean gift shop, said her business needed the summer trade."The summer months are the most important for us," she said."Last summer was brilliant. Winter was completely dead down her, which is doable if we can have the summer months."The concern is that this year we won't get that and will have to do a winter. It's going to be so tough."Obi Orah, owner of Proudly African store, called for the works to be done "swiftly"."Delaying the roadworks means we will still be here doing it all over again in March next year," she said.The finished pedestrianised area will have al fresco dining, new paving, street furniture, newly-planted trees and flowers, according to the council.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway bike facilities set for upgrade thanks to Levelling Up cash
Plans are being made for 'multi-modal transport hubs' in both Castle Douglas and Gatehouse. Bike facilities are set to be improved in two Stewartry towns. Plans are being made for 'multi-modal transport hubs' in both Castle Douglas and Gatehouse. The developments – which would include bike lockers, repair stations and electric vehicle charging points – would be funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up fund. Two years ago, the council was awarded £13.8 million through the scheme to boost green transport links. One of the hubs could be in the Market Hill area of Castle Douglas and would include the existing tourist information centre. A public consultation on the idea is under way, with documents showing it would contain bike storage lockers – including e-bike charging points – a repair station, a bike and dog wash, EV charging points and parking bays for car club hire. There would also be 'improved community space'. The proposal was discussed at a recent meeting of the town's community council. Posting on the body's Facebook page, community councillor Colin Eade said: 'We were amongst several other community groups in the town who received this presentation from the council, and we were asked for our thoughts and feedback, as were the other groups. 'As a community council, whilst we thought the idea was a great one, we were concerned with potential designs that would require losing parking spaces on the Market Hill, as this could be detrimental to local businesses. 'We were also concerned about designs that required trees to be chopped down, or too much green space being used that could negatively impact events such as the producers' market, civic week events or the soap box derby, as well as the day-to-day enjoyment of the park by local people. 'We suggested considering the space immediately beside the existing Heart of Galloway building, as this would protect parking spaces and trees, but remain in a central location. 'There was no vote taken by the community council regarding where the hub should be located, and the final design has been created by Dumfries and Galloway Council based on feedback from all the community groups.' And he added: 'As a community council, we fully support the creation of this new hub as we believe it will be a great asset to our town.' A council spokesman said: 'Dumfries and Galloway Council is currently developing a multi-modal transport hub in Castle Douglas, to be located on Market Hill, supported by funding from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. 'This is part of a wider initiative to deliver nine transport hubs across the region, aimed at making sustainable and active travel more accessible for residents and visitors. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'The Castle Douglas hub will incorporate the tourist information centre and is designed to support walking, cycling, and public transport use. 'The consultation is advertised in several places on the land, within the local customer service centre, and within the visitor information centre. Local stakeholder groups have also been sent the notices and information.' Paper copies of the consultation are available from the customer service centre in Castle Douglas Library. Responses can be submitted there or to LUFtransport@ A planning application has been submitted to create another hub at Fleet Vale Car Park in Gatehouse. It would also have lockers, a repair station and an EV charging point as well as a bus waiting area.
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Chepstow railway station refurb needs £1.4m from council
The UK Government has already agreed to make £5.2m available for an overhaul of Chepstow railway station, and other public transport improvements in the town, though that will not include accessibility improvements despite there being no disabled access to the westbound platform. Monmouthshire County Council is being asked to provide 'match funding' of 30 per cent towards the scheme. Councillors were told last month plans for the revamp of the station were being developed and at their July meeting they will be asked to agree to press ahead with the project and enter into an agreement with the UK Government. They will also be asked to underwrite capital match funding of £1,407,692 to be drawn down between the financial years 2025/26 and 2028/29 , however the council aims to use its 'best endeavours' to find alternative funding to avoid having to dip into its capital budget. The council will also be asked to delegate to its chief infrastructure officer responsibility for developing the project, in consultation with the cabinet member, and through engagement with local councillors, Chepstow Town Council and community stakeholders. Council deputy leader, and Chepstow Castle and Larkfield member, Paul Griffiths told the June meeting he 'unfortunately' couldn't give a commitment the lack of disabled access would be addressed as that is the responsibility of Network Rail and it was unlikely to have plans in place during the timframe the council willl have to spend the funding from Westminster. A report for the council's Thursday, July 17 meeting states: 'The proposals will not result directly in the provision of an accessible footbridge; however, we will continue to support Network Rail and other stakeholders in lobbying for the construction of this much needed footbridge.' It outlines the planned improvements as refurbishment of the station building to include public toilets, which the council will maintain, and potentially a waiting room and the purchase of third party land to create a park and ride facility. The original proposal was to replace car parking at the station forecourt to provide two bus stops and a turning circle, creating a bus / rail interchange. Those plans have now been revised due to opposition to the loss of parking spaces which the council has said could have deterred commuters from using the station. Other plans include new bus stops at Moor Street, Mount Pleasant, and Welsh Street and a new pedestrian crossing between the A48 and Tesco and a bus only access to Chepstow Community Hospital, though these are subject to a review. READ MORE: Autumn Statement: Funding announced for Monmouthshire Further consultation on new cycling and footpaths is also taking place. The proposals were first submitted for UK Government support, from its Levelling Up Fund, in July 2022 which was rejected in January the following year however the £5.2m for creating the bus turning was announced by then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in November, 2023. The report states: 'Without any prior contact with the Council, the then Chancellor announced in the Autumn Budget of 2023 that funding of £5,227,320 had been allocated to enable the project to be implemented.'
Western Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Western Telegraph
Haverfordwest castle 'levelling-up' access scheme backed
Pembrokeshire County Council, through agent Asbri Planning, sought approval for the construction of a new access gate, steps and associated works at Castle Back, Haverfordwest. A supporting statement said: 'The development proposed forms part of the wider Haverfordwest Castle Square, Castle Link & Wayfinding Project, which comprised the design and construction of a series of enhancement and drainage improvement works to Castle Square and Castle Link (Castle Back steps etc) hard landscaping/public realm, combined with dedicated wayfinding provisions to guide people from across the town (including the train station, transport hub and other locations) towards the castle. 'The overarching project has been shaped by, and responded to, particular funding stream from the Levelling-Up Funding (LUF) and Town Improvement Grants, etc.' It added: 'The application seeks full planning permission for the works to the rear of the building known as the Old Print Room, Castle Back, Haverfordwest and relates to the demolition of the existing gate piers and archway together with the removal of the palisade fencing which form the current gate. 'The above will be replaced with a new stone gate piers which will interface with existing boundary wall and building to create a 1,900mm opening which will accommodate a 2,100mm steel galvanised powder coated gate which will be Umbra Grey in colour (RAL 7022) as well as the construction of three new access steps which replace the existing steps from Castle Back into the site.' An officer report recommending approval said: 'The proposed construction of new access gate, steps and associated works, will all be external alterations, repair and enhancement of a derelict connective route between the town centre and castle, which is an area that holds historic character and has potential to enhance the use of the historic town and sits within a very prominent location. 'The alterations are in keeping with the traditional characteristics and matches the existing character of the site and is therefore acceptable.' The application was conditionally approved. The successful Levelling Up Fund application announced in late 2021 included adding to ongoing improvements at Haverfordwest Castle to create an outdoor performance area, renovation of the jail, and perimeter walks with a direct link to the town centre via Bridge Street, and on to the Western Quayside and Riverside via a 'signature bridge'. Due to budget savings, the council later removed the Bridge Street link and walkways – replacing it with an alternative link via Castle Square and Castle back. The 'gaol visitor experience' is intended to be the centrepiece of the Heart of Pembrokeshire scheme.
