Protesters say the new link road will vandalise the countryside

The first of their protests was held on Wednesday over proposals to link Bexhill with St Leonards.

Paul Hamblin, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said they were planning "massive demonstrations".

In 1996, protesters took to treetops and hid in tunnels to stop the Newbury bypass in Berkshire being built.

Campaigners are planning protests on a much larger scale

East Sussex County Council has said traffic congestion around Bexhill and Hastings is unacceptable and the new route will open up the area for redevelopment and create 4,000 jobs.

A survey of 65,000 residents in the area carried out by the council found 84% of those who responded were in favour.

Spokesman Duncan Jordan said: "There is a real need in this area to draw in new business so that people have actually got places to work."

However, protesters say it will cause environmental disruption in the area.

Paul Hamblin, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "This is a nationally important scheme."

A decision is expected in December on whether the road can go ahead.