THE recent rains and flooding across our part of East Sussex serve as a

timely reminder about the folly of even contemplating a new off-line

four-lane highway between Lewes and Eastbourne.

It's not difficult to see why we think it would cost at least £1billion, permanently damage bio-diversity

and leave an indelible scar across an historic landscape.

Imagine the earthworks, embankments, stilts, culverts, drainage ponds and

run-off ditching that would be needed to stop 16km of concrete and tarmac

not only sinking into the Sussex clay, but consequently diverting natural

water courses which will inevitably increase flooding.

The sustainable answer is active land management, not risking the delicate eco-systems of

the Lower Ouse and Cuckmere further with more square miles of high-rise

dual carriageway.

Bill Rogers

South Coast Alliance Transport and Environment, for East Sussex