Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on progress made by (a) East Sussexcounty council and (b) statutory environmental bodies in developing the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road scheme, with particularreference to environmental considerations; [126433](2) what discussions the Department has held with (a) East Sussex county council and (b) statutory environmental bodies onenvironmental considerations in developing the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road scheme. [126434]Mr. Jamieson: On the 9 July 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport invited East Sussex county council todevelop proposals for Bexhill to Hastings Link Road, working closely with the statutory environmental bodies during the process.My officials will be discussing details with East Sussex county council in the near future on how to take this work forward.