Protestor up telegraph pole closes road

Superintendent Trevor Botting said: “We had to shut the road from 1.20pm to 6.20pm for public safety. The contractors clearing trees and undergrowth for the new link road from Bexhill to Hastings were able to continue working but the person up the pole could have caused a hazard to traffic.

“I am aware the road closure was inconvenient for the local community and I want to thank them for their patience and tolerance. The work on the road continued uninterrupted.”

The man eventually came down and was arrested for wilful obstruction and resisting arrest.

Dominic Langford, 19, unemployed, of Taffs Well, Cardiff, has been charged with wilfully obstructing the highway and resisting arrest. He has been released on conditional bail and will appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on January 22.

Two others arrested in Crowhurst Lane (yesterday) have also been charged. Oliver Sumerling, 26, unemployed, of Carfield Avenue, Sheffield, and Alex Etchart, 22, of Patshull Road, London, have both been charged with obstruction and assault. They have been released on conditional bail and will appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on January 22.