The main responsibility for gritting falls into East Sussex County Council's lap, which has concentrated on clearing the main roads and other traffic-heavy areas.

And while Rother gritted pavements around its own buildings, most notably the pavements each side of the footbridge across the railway line at Bexhill station, the town's best-used streets were left to accumulate ice.

It's no surprise most businesses in the town centre reported a marked loss of trade - it's difficult enough to negotiate slippery conditions if you are young and reasonably healthy.

But Bexhill has a high proportion of elderly people, most of whom decided to stay in the warm rather than brave the daily milk run.

Some consideration from the county council or Rother - or both - would have been greatly appreciated.

While grit can't be laid everywhere when it snows, clearing the town's main shopping pavements such as Devonshire Road and Western Road would have made life so much easier for everyone.

Debate on Next Wave looks promising

THIS week sees the first instalment of a four-week debate on the Next Wave seafront regeneration scheme.

Chairman of Save Our Seafront Ron Storkey gives his concerns over elements of the plans, while Next Wave project sponsor Cllr Christopher Starnes defends the council's viewpoint.

The idea behind this is to inform readers on the latest developments in this long-running saga and to allow them to make up their own minds on the progress to date.

If this week's offering (see page four) is any example, this promises to be a healthy, measured and well thought out debate.

Hopefully it will help achieve the right result for the seafront - and for the town.