内容摘要：Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Paphitis said retailers had been lobbying government "for a very, very long time", arguing the rule had a devastating impact "on our retail landscape and our high streets".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Paphitis said retailers had been lobbying government "for a very, very long time", arguing the rule had a devastating impact "on our retail landscape and our high streets".

“Over the last 12 months I have repeatedly warned that the increasing costs we are shouldering are wholly unsustainable."I took our concerns to Westminster and with a cross-party group of over 50 council leaders, invited ministers and MPs to engage with us.

“Regrettably, the colossal financial pressure and a lack of sufficient government support over many years, means the council is forced to make significant cuts to services, otherwise the authority will not be able to set a balanced budget.”In February, the councilfrom the government, and in October 2023 Eastbourne hosted a summit of local authorities on the rising problem of homelessness.

A council which cannot set a balanced budget must declare a section 114 notice, preventing it from further spending until it can balance its books.Several local authorities across England have had to declare such notices, including

for three years in a row,

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said: “Homelessness levels have sky-rocketed and too many families are living in temporary accommodation in our towns and cities, including in Eastbourne.Ashley Davis, who runs the Morning Sunshine cafe in Kenilworth, said despite "forward planning" and staff leaving 90 minutes before their shift started, they had still been arriving late.

Chris Patting, who lives in Kenilworth, said the traffic had been "quite shocking" and it had been "difficult to get anywhere in the car".Another resident, Mike Hull, said he had seen cars driving on the footpath and been avoiding going into town "at all costs" due to the diversion route.

"The HGVs are really struggling to get round the small streets. As a pedestrian, it's a bit of run to get into the park for safety," he said.National Highways spokesperson Victoria Lazenby