Tories close Gilda Crescent

12.51.18pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th Nov 2007

Lib Dem campaigners Roy Martin and Rosemary Battles present the petition against the closure of Gilda Crescent to the council.

The Conservative-run East Sussex County Council has gone ahead with the closure of the older people's facilities at Gilda Crescent.

The closure comes despite strong local opposition and a petition presented to the council from 1400 local residents.

Local Liberal Democrat Rosie Battles who spoke on behalf of the petitioners said

"Thank you to all those who signed or helped with the petition. It showed the County Council the strength of opinion locally but in the end we were just ignored".

County Councillor Roy Martin added "It was all about money and not about what was in the best interests of residents. It was a done deal and the Tories demonstrated that once again they are not interested in the views of local residents."

The service will now be provided from Grangemead in Hailsham and many residents are concerned about the difficulty of travelling to Hailsham by public transport.

Polegate MP Norman Baker said "I want my constituents to get the best possible service. Grangemead is much less accessible by public transport than Polegate and I remain concerned about the outcome".