December 2009

With the design team working on a continuously evolving design specification for the landscape elements of the project, the next step in the programme will be the tender and procurement of contractors to start work on the 3 construction phases of the scheme.

Companies will be sought to deliver this in three distinct parts, the West Parade/Promenade, the De La Warr Car Park and Marina Court Avenue and finally the Colonnade and Rowing Club. Whilst the design team will continue to fine tune and perfect all of the work done so far this will be the start of the next stage of the project which I believe will deliver an exciting, dramatic and practical seafront used and enjoyed by everyone.

This means that early next year the project will move from the drawing board to the seafront and construction will commence, plans are being drawn up to minimise disruption to the seafront and the amenities currently on the seafront. However at various times access and facilities will be affected. Our "landmarks page" will keep you up to date with how the construction will affect the seafront. Many groups and organisations use the seafront throughout the year for various activities and your group may already be planning a programme for 2010, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me and I can advise you how the works may affect next years calendar.

The image I have included as this months archive photo was amongst several similar which inspired the design team to create proposals to convert the Colonnade once again into a focal point for the seafront, key to this was an ability to create an all-weather destination. This depicts the opening ceremony in 1911, which seemed to be standing room only! If you look at some of the pictures in our new photo library you can see that the Colonnade was the scene of many more such occasions and all equally well attended.

Many people have written to me asking for more information on the Council's "bigger picture" plan for regeneration within the district. The one thing I always like to make clear is that although the Next Wave project is a major element in Rother District Councils Corporate Plan and the investment that the council has made to regenerate the seafront is significant, it is still only part of a strategy to afford regeneration and new opportunity to all parts of Bexhill and the wider District through to 2016. It includes the A21 link road, new homes and thriving commercial centres and of course construction of the new Bexhill High School. You can view more details of the Council's regeneration plans here.

Finally, you may remember that we held a drawing competition with local children attending the Sure start programme in Egerton Park. The competition will be judged soon and I will be announcing the winner here. The winning picture will be invited to the groundbreaking ceremony in the New Year and will be one of the first people to see Next Wave take its next and possibly most important step.