Latest news with #RobertSmart
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Homes evacuated after 'unidentified liquid' found
About 160 homes are being evacuated after a "bottle of unidentified liquid" was found in a house, police have said. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team attended Hyde Road in Eastbourne after the liquid was discovered at a property at about 17:30 BST on Monday. A local councillor said the substance was "potentially dangerous", but Sussex Police said there was no "immediate risk to residents". Those living on Hyde Road, Camden Road, Calverley Road, West Terrace, Bath Road and Grove Road were encouraged by officers to leave their addresses by 9:00. Officers said the evacuation was being completed "safely and effectively during daylight hours" to minimise the impact on local residents Helen Bailey-Foster, who lives nearby with her pregnant daughter, told BBC Radio Sussex the situation was "a bit nerve-wracking". After her road was cordoned off last night, she said she was not aware of what was happening until looking at Facebook. "We were none the wiser," she continued. "Nobody said anything." "All sorts of things start going through your brain." Ms Bailey-Foster said she was "hoping and quietly confident" that the situation would be resolved "really quickly", though she was unsure of when she could return home. Eastbourne Borough Council said that council officers were arranging rest centre accommodation for affected residents if required. Councillor Robert Smart told BBC Radio Sussex that "we will no doubt learn more" about the incident and the nature of the substance, which he called "potentially dangerous". He added that "everybody was going about their business as usual" on Grove Road and that traffic was flowing as normal. Sussex Police's Det Supt Jon Robeson said a number of uniformed officers would be present on Tuesday morning to assist with the evacuation and offer further advice. "We appreciate the support of residents and the wider community who will be affected by the necessary precautionary actions we need to take, and hopefully they will be able to swiftly return to their homes," he added. It comes after 80 homes were evacuated in St Leonards in March, after more than 500 canisters of chemicals were found inside a building. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Homes evacuated after suspected chemicals found Sussex Police
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Plans for new cycle lane 'strongly rejected' by residents
Plans to build a new cycle lane near Eastbourne seafront have been "strongly rejected" by residents. The people living around Wilmington Square have opposed the proposals after a site visit with council contractors. Meads councillor Robert Smart arranged the meeting between residents and engineers from Balfour Beatty after early-stage plans for a new cycle route came to light. The plans included a three-metre-wide cycle lane along the southern edge of the green, relocation of lamp posts, conversion of one road to one-way, and removal of six parking spaces. READ MORE: I tried Brighton's best takeaway - but did it live up to the hype? A three-metre-wide strip of grass, part of the original Victorian square, would be replaced with tarmac. However, many residents were unaware of the scheme until the meeting. Colin Ball, a resident in the area, said: "It's a complete waste of money and time." Councillor Smart added: "Spending thousands of pounds to build a short cycle lane across a quiet square - one that's already used safely by both cyclists and drivers - is a complete waste of public money. "Residents were shocked to learn of these plans and are quite rightly asking why, at a time when so many local services are under pressure, this is being treated as a priority. "It's a badly thought-through scheme with no local support." The Friends of Wilmington Square group, led by Cathy Woolgar, is questioning how previous consultations failed to inform them about the proposed scheme. Councillor Smart is now calling for the plan to be paused and for a proper consultation with residents before any irreversible damage is done to the historic public space.
