Campaigners at Combe Haven Valley were moved on by bailiffs earlier this week. Credit: PA
Grandmothers will gather in Combe Haven Valley in East Sussex this morning in the latest protest against moves to build a £94 million link road.
Councillors say the road between Bexhill and Hastings is vital to regenerate the local economy, leading to 2,000 new homes and hundreds of jobs.
However, protesters have been gathering at the site since Christmas, with three camps dismantled by bailiffs in as many weeks.
Organisers say the grandmothers will sail parts of the flooded site in kayaks.
Local grandmother Rosamond Palmer said: "Combe Haven floods, it is a flood plain and therefore a stupid place to build a road. As local senior residents we want to express our opposition. Fortunately being sensible older women, we brought our boats."
They've tried to stop the road by pointing out the damage it's doing to the countryside, now protesters against the Hastings to Bexhill link road are highlighting the damage it could be doing to history.
They claim the route will cause permanent damage to the site of the Battle of Hastings which they say is in the path of the new road.
Andy Dickenson reports and we hear from link road campaigner Michael Bernard and Gregory Barker, MP for Bexhill and Battle.
"Battle of Hastings" gathers pace with High Court bid
Campaigners against a 94 million pound relief road between Hastings and Bexhill are trying to take their fight to the High Court.
Local historians believe the proposed route could cut through the site of William the Conqueror's base camp of 1066 - a view disputed since it would place the Battle of Hastings at Combe Haven Valley and not Battle Abbey.
Campaigner Michael Bernard has been speaking to ITV News Meridian
Protesters demonstrating against the construction of the Hastings Bexhill link road have continued with their treetop demonstrations today. They have also burrowed down in tunnels to prevent trees being felled to make way for the £94m road project in East Sussex.
Protesters remain in the trees along the route of Hastings-Bexhill link road Credit: Malcolm Shaw
Bailiffs have begun evicting the third protest camp to be set up. They have removed four protesters so far today, with about a dozen still left in the trees. There has been one arrest, although most people are being removed peacefully
Treetop protest against Hastings - Bexhill link road Credit: Malcolm Shaw
Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and the RSPCA joined campaigners calls at the weekend to save woodland in the Coombe Haven Valley. Councillors insist, however, the 94 million pound road is vital for the local economy.
Bailiffs remove protesters from link road construction site Credit: Malcolm Shaw
Adrian Hopkins of the Combe Haven Defenders protest group said: "Resistance has been growing to this awful scheme as each day passes and more people become inspired by the action so far taken to protect the beautiful Combe Haven valley.
"This is only the beginning of a sustained campaign of peaceful resistance to this environmentally disastrous white-elephant project."
While Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said: “'This road shouldn't have been approved.
"It will lead to more pollution, damage the environment and do little to boost the local economy. Reviving discredited road schemes like this won’t solve our economic and transport problems, it will simply shift traffic elsewhere. Transport policy must change direction.
"We need cleaner cars and safe, efficient and affordable alternatives.'”
