Bypass goes ahead despite environment worries

A controversial bypass has been given the go-ahead three years after it was rejected by the Government on environmental grounds.

The £47 million Hastings-to-Bexhill "link road" in East

Sussex was shifted to the edge of an area of ancient woodland but will still pass within a few yards of the

Combe Haven site of special scientific interest.

But Green MEP Caroline Lucas said: "This road would be a disaster - it would hit town centre redevelopment in Hastings and destroy some of the most beautiful country in the South-East."

Ms Lucas is backing calls for a public inquiry - and for a campaign of non-violent direct action to prevent the road's construction.