Campaigners say the new road will not tackle traffic problems

The campaign centres on a scheme to build a link road between Bexhill and Hastings, similar to another route turned down by the government in 2001.

The Hastings Western Bypass was deemed to be too damaging to the environment.

Campaigners will join local people later this week at Adams Farm, just outside Hastings, to see the route of the planned new road.

The council should abandon this crazy scheme and investigate alternative ways of dealing with the area's transport problems Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth

Farm owners Jenny and Dick Yeo said: "We've lived here for 25 years and worked hard to conserve the landscape. We don't want to see this beautiful, peaceful valley destroyed.

"Our barn will be demolished by the road and English Heritage have said it would have a serious impact on our listed farm which is of national importance."

East Sussex County Council is seeking funding from the government for the scheme in order to open up a greenfield site for development.

But Friends of the Earth fear it will ruin "one of the finest valleys in East Sussex", and destroy the character of the area.

'Damaging proposal'

It also doubts whether it would actually tackle the area's traffic problems or bring regeneration to the area.

Executive director Tony Juniper said: ""This is one of the most damaging and unnecessary road proposals in the entire country.

"That is why so many environmental organisations have united against it.

"The council should abandon this crazy scheme and investigate alternative ways of dealing with the area's transport problems."

Stephen Joseph, director of Transport 2000, said research commissioned by the organisation suggested the road would undermine efforts to regenerate the area.

"This road could therefore not only damage the environment and increase traffic in the area but also suck the lifeblood out of the town centre," he said.