OUT IN THE FIELD: Saga of mind the gap continues

Bob the builder and his team of trusty workmen are back with their diggers and trucks sorting out the controversial gap outside the railway station this week after some silly drivers started using it as a U-turn. The problem, I'm told, stems from motorists dropping people off in the bus stop and then swinging their cars round, driving through the gap which is just for taxis, so they can drive to the east of the town instead of having to drive all the way around Ashford Road etc to reach their destination. That was bound to happen and so East Sussex County Council highways contractors are back in situ making changes to the size of the islands either side of the gap to stop that happening and make sure it is fit for purpose. That purpose in case anyone needs reminding is so taxis '“ and taxis only '“ can use it. If people still don't understand it, there is a simple map on the wall of the station cobblers explaining it all. Being a regular of Old Town hostelries, and fed up of extra costs incurred from an extended journey all round the houses along Ashford Road, I now take taxis from the rank in Old Orchard Road which is much quicker and saving an extra three to four quid.

I’ve had lots of feedback from last week’s whinge about the DGH and severe lack of staff – and ultimately decent care – on a medical ward and am meeting with watchdogs in a bid to get people to share their experiences, good and bad. Thanks to everyone that made contact, especially one nurse who wrote telling me the problem is widespread: “It’s happening all over the hospital. It is so dangerous and how something serious hasn’t happened is beyond me. Everyday we get texts pleading with us to go in and do extra shifts which then leads to completely exhausted nurses that then go off sick. The hospital can’t recruit or retain staff, we are treated like the proverbial brown stuff and our registration is at risk every single shift we work”. Something needs to be done ASAP.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make our website your homepage at www.eastbourneherald.co.uk

2 Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/eastbourne.herald

3 Follow us on Twitter @Eastbournenews

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Eastbourne Herald - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.