Local support for A27 gathers in Eastbourne

After two weeks of demonstrations on the South Coast against the construction of a road from Folkestone to Honiton by protesters, pro-road groups are preparing to mount a counter campaign to redress the balance.

For almost the whole of June, the South Coast Against Roadbuilding alliance (SCAR) has walked the length of the 230 mile route to 'highlight the plans by the Department of Transport to construct a super highway along the South Coast'.

What SCAR calls a super highway, the DoT calls a series of bypasses, road improvements and road widenings - meat and drink work for civils contractors.

The protestors path takes in Eastbourne - a town along the route where many local councillors and businesses are crying out for infrastructure and have set up the A27 support group to put the pro-road side of the argument.

Having watched SCAR enjoy its two weeks of action, the group has launched its own drive to provide information about the roads.

Michael Barrett of the A27 group and an Eastbourne chartered accountant said: 'We welcome the SCAR people walking the route - it's their right. All we want to do is ensure that the argument for and against the road is based on balanced debate so everyone knows what they are arguing about. If people in the villages don't want the new road then fine - but if a member of their family works for an Eastbourne-based business they should be aware that the state of the infrastructure means that businesses could leave the area or even go bust.'

The group is now publishing a four-page handout to explain their case to the people of the area. And people in Eastbourne last week certainly seem willing to listen.

Jayne Cawley, a clerk for a legal firm in the town, said: 'It's easy to oppose the road because the countryside is nice around here and we don't want it spoilt. But it is hell to drive into town and it is only right that we consider all the pros and cons of building a new road.'

Unemployed bricklayer 'Stan' said: 'If they are saying that new roads will mean more jobs in the area then I'm in favour. Most of these protestors are just kids going through a phase in their lives - it will be interesting to see what they say when they need work like I do.'

But others did express serious reservations about the effect of construction on the area and questioned the wisdom of attracting cars. 'We're choked up anyway - more roads can't be the answer,' said housewife Jane Sapse.

The A27 support group is to continue distributing its leaflets and getting its message over.

'We're taking a more positive stance against anti-road people now but are also observing the ecological arguments, said Barrett. 'If we can get the road built then the old A27 will become a nice quieter route to the tourist areas and a cycle way could be built alongside while business traffic can use the old road.'