Protesters against Bexhill link road due in court (From The Argus)

Protesters against Bexhill link road due in court

3:20pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

The final eviction of the Combehaven protesters in January

Eighteen protesters against a major road development are due to appear in court.

Campaigners against the proposed Hastings to Bexhill Link Road, including the managing director of Brighton’s Big Lemon Bus Company, Tom Druitt, are due to appear in court this morning accused of obstructing the development.

Druitt, 34, of Osmond Road, Hove, is accused of trespassing at Adams Farm, Crowhurst, to set up camp in a tree on January 16. He is also accused of obstructing an officer trying to issue a High Court writ.

Alistair Cannall, 23, of London Road, Brighton, Kim Harrison, 29, and Valerie Archer, both of London, are also accused of obstructing a pe son engaged in lawful activity – by trespassing on the site to set up camp in a tree and resisting the High Court officer, as part of the same day’s protest.

The link road, which has been under discussion for 20 years and could be used by up to 30,000 vehicles a day, was given permission last March.

It will join the A259 and B2092 by crossing the section of countryside known as the Combe Haven Valley.

Last month East Sussex County Council said that numerous judicial delays have already cost the taxpayer an additional £4.5 million.

Padlocked together

The council also revealed they had spent around £690,000 evicting activists from the area and securing the site since December.

On January 17, Maria Gallastegui, 54, of no fixed address was accused of refusing to leave a tree, Adrian Hopkins, 28, of Marina, St Leonards, was accused of positioning himself in a tree, and Mary Palmer, 60, of Paynton Road St Leonards was accused of holding on to trees.

Rosa Canadas, 33, and Simon Medhurst, 54, both of High Street, Hastings, are accused of obstructing lawful activity by padlocking themselves to each other to prevent tree cutting at Decoy Pond Wood, Crowhurst, on January 29.

On the same day, Henry Nicholson, 48, of High Street Hastings is accused of sealing his hand in concrete while in a tree.

Natalie Hynde, 30, of St James Road, Hastings, is also accused of disrupting lawful activity by climbing a tree and refusing to come down on the same date.

• Body of young woman found in Westbourne house fire
• Albion admit investigation launched into Palace dressing room incident
• Top comics back late Brighton playwright's theatre dream
• 200-year-old skeleton found by boy on West Wittering beach laid to rest
• Hove TV presenter's plea for daughter's missing degree work