A27 safety pledge

LEWES MP Norman Baker has won a guarantee from the Highways Agency to make the A27 safer.

This comes after the MP pursued Lewes residents complaints about the high number of accidents on the road.

There were seven accidents on the Firle Straight in 1999 alone far higher than the national average.

The Highways Agency told Mr Baker: 'We have commissioned a safety study on the Firle Straight with particular reference to speed and overtaking and expect the results to be available in February.

'Once a solution is identified, we will be able to assess the relative priority for funding.

Said Mr Baker: 'The road is obviously a hazard to the people who use it. Urgent action needs to be taken to render it safe.

l A parliamentary motion, co-tabled by Mr Baker, which calls for a blanket ban on the import, export and domestic trade of cat and dog hair, has won a positive response from the Government.