Polegate medical centre plan unacceptable - say local Lib Dems

2.49.37pm GMT Wed 6th Jan 2010

Polegate Lib Dems have called the current plans for the medical centre 'unacceptable'

Current plans to build the new medical centre for Polegate at Tower Mill have been criticised for failing to meet local needs by Lib Dem councillors.

Polegate District Councillor, Roy Martin says: "The current plans for the medical centre are unacceptable. There is no provision for buses for elderly residents, and no mention of a satellite surgery in Polegate town centre. Two-thirds of the town's population live in the north, and it is difficult for them to cross this very busy road to the proposed site. The Primary Care Trust must listen and make these changes, without which they will lose the support of local people."

Town Councillor Chris Berry says: "I am reluctant to see the medical centre placed across the other side of a very busy road. There are insufficient buses, and the dial-a-ride taxi scheme has failed. We have still not been given the evidence of why this is the best site. Clearly Wealden District Council want this easy sale of the Tower Mill property, but this is not a good deal for local residents if they cannot travel to the surgery."

Local MP Norman Baker says: "The PCT and county council must address the fact that senior citizens in Polegate will have great difficulty travelling to the Tower Mill site, unless dedicated bus services are provided, and ideally an outreach facility in the town centre. I will continue to put pressure on the PCT to put in place these important changes."