Fears that a major scheme to revamp Bexhill’s flagship roundabout might be mothballed have been allayed by Rother District Council’s leader.
The council has been frustrated in its attempts to revamp the busy Ravenside roundabout, often referred to as the “gateway” in and out of town.
Any motorist who has negotiated the roundabout as it currently stands knows they have to have their wits about them with the sheer volume of vehicles using it due to the popularity of the adjacent retail park, which includes the Tesco superstore, Marks and Spencer, Homebase and a McDonald’s restaurant and drive through.
In addition, there is also the popular swimming pool on the site. However, it has now been revealed the council is spending the £150,000 allocated in its budget for improvements to the roundabout on other projects because it has been frustrated in its ongoing negotiations with the roundabout’s owners, National Highways.
Nevertheless, the council has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the revamp takes place once negotiations are complete and everything is agreed although there is no exact timescale as to when work on the project will commence.
In the interim, the council confirmed the £150,000 Bexhill Local Community Infrastructure Levy that had been set aside for the project is being used for other schemes in the town.
Councillor Doug Oliver, leader of the council, said: “We find ourselves in an extremely frustrating situation.
“Council officers have worked tirelessly to get this project off the ground, but their efforts have been frustrated, not least by the presence of an invasive plant.”
National Highways says the invasive plant, horsetail, can only be removed by its own contractors, but Mr Oliver remains undeterred and confirmed council officers will continue to liaise with them in continuing efforts to get the project underway as soon as possible.
Mr Oliver added: “With so many other projects in the town requiring funding and he timescale of the Riverside roundabout scheme relying on National Highways, we took the difficult decision to use the (allocated) money for projects which are progressing. We are absolutely committed to this project which is why it remains in our capital programme.
“The roundabout’s unkempt appearance gives a very poor first impression to visitors and action needs to be taken.”
He concluded: “As soon as the roundabout is clear and we are in a position to move forward, we will look for funding.”
