Police target Glyne Gap car sales menace

The Observer has already revealed how illegal street trading of cars in Lewis Avenue turned this quiet road into "an eyesore and a danger".

At any time, two or three cars offered for sale can be seen clearly from the roundabout - it's this open view which has made the location "the cheapest showroom in East Sussex."

A major complaint is that the path becomes blocked when cars are parked across the dropped kerb, meaning difficulties for anyone on foot but especially schoolchildren who are prevented from crossing.

"It's the danger aspect that worries me" said one neighbour who wished not to be named. "I worry for the safety of children and old people most of all.....I pray there isn't a fatality before something is done."

Justine Head who lives on Lewis Avenue told us that drivers also suffer; "Last week was a bad one because there were five cars parked there, and two collisions as a result. The first one I actually saw happen; a van driver slowed down and stopped for the lights and then someone else sailed right into the back of him. He just was not paying attention, he was looking at the cars."

Mother-of-three Justine has already spoken out against car trading in Lewis Avenue but admits others are afraid.

"My neighbour confronted one of the dealers and was then held by the throat. He was badly shaken and really intimidated. Unfortunately there were not witnesses.

I am willing to stand up and be counted as long as it gets something done. If people see you're speaking out then they might join in as well. I know there is a lot of support out there."

Now Bexhill police are collecting all vehicle numbers and details in order to find the dealers responsible.

Sgt Paul Masterson of the Road Policing Unit explained; "If we find it's just one person actually using the site as his sales pitch then we can get Trading Standards department involved, to come in and remove all the cars because obviously that is an offence.

It is illegal anyway to deal from the Highway. To be fair though, if it's Mr Average wanting to sell his car in the road outside his house then we don't see that as a great problem, and no, we don't bother about that.

But when we get areas like Glyne Gap where everyone starts to use it then it could be a road safety issue.

We can move them on a regular basis, but if its not a regular person we can't do that much.

There needs to be physical change such as double yellow lines or adjustment to the junction so that you can't park cars up against it, this has to come from the Council."