This footpath has been requiring some major improvements to the surface which will be carried out with effect from 4 July 2022. The footpath will potentially be closed for 21 days or until the works are complete. Unfortunately, there is no alternative route available using the Rights of Way network.
Contact telephone number for any query: Public Rights of Way Team (WSCC) (01243) 777620
Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Project: Summer 2022 Consultation launched
Good Morning,
When we shared our Northern Runway Project proposals during the public consultation in autumn last year, we wanted to hear from people and interested groups on our plans to bring our existing Northern Runway into regular use alongside our Main Runway. We were very grateful to receive feedback and together with our on-going design and assessment work, this has resulted in some updates to our proposals.
In particular, having listened to feedback on our road improvement proposals, we have revisited our previous designs and considered new possibilities to strike a balance between the needs of local non-airport and airport traffic as well as potential environmental effects. Before taking our plans forward, we are keen to hear your feedback on our updated proposals. We are therefore starting a focused statutory public consultation today on our updated highway design which will run for just over six weeks, until 11:59pm on Wednesday 27 July 2022.
The revised plans for the roads around the airport include proposals to:
- Significantly redesign the original plan for the North Terminal junction
- Add a new lane westbound over the Brighton main rail line
- Add a third lane to the A23 approaching Longbridge roundabout
We would encourage you to participate in our Summer 2022 Consultation and all materials are available at gatwickairport.com/futureplans along with details on how to respond.
Following feedback from our previous consultation, we have refined our proposals for car parking, hotels and offices, the airfield, water management, carbon, and noise. We have also continued to develop plans for reducing the potential environmental effects of the Northern Runway Project. These updates are also on our website.
During the consultation period there will be opportunities to attend a virtual briefing or to book a telephone surgery appointment to speak to technical experts about the proposals and help inform responses to the consultation. These are available to be booked immediately by contacting info@gatwickfutureplans.com.
Stewart Wingate
CEO
Fantastic work by the Bolney Volunteers!
Hugh, Pete and the Bolney Volunteers have completed the refurbishment of the fingerpost at the corner of Foxhole Lane and the A272. A massive amount of time and energy has been spent to get this done. It proved very difficult to find the expertise needed and so most of it has been done by the Volunteers themselves. I hope you agree it looks superb!
Thank you to the Bolney Volunteers
The Bolney Volunteers have cut back the hedges along footpath 44Bo between The Street and Foxhole Lane. The steps from the A23 roundabout up to Magdalene Rise have also been cleared. Huge thanks to Martin and Del!
Ongoing Roadworks on London Road
Riverdale Developments (building the new development next to Magdalene Rise) has been working on London Road since Monday 2nd May installing a new drainage pipe from their site entrance all the way down to the main drainage connection pipe on the A272 Cowfold Road. Disruption will be kept to a minimum for this type of work but they apologise for any inconvenience this might cause. The duration of the works depends on the ease of the dig and what existing drainage and services are found on the route but will be finished within 10 to 12 weeks.
Safe Space Sussex App
The PCC has launched a new app which you can read about here;
SPCC – Launching the Safe Space Sussex app (sussex-pcc.gov.uk)
Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has launched a new app called ‘Safe Space Sussex’. The app is aimed at helping people should they feel unsafe outside of their home.
It has been developed following detailed consultation with partners and public regarding the safety of women and girls in Sussex.
On first downloading the app, users will be asked to enter their own name and phone number as well as a preferred contact. They will then be directed to a map showing their location and a number of red pins indicating Safe Spaces near them. Tapping on a Safe Space will show opening times and the option to see directions from their current location.
When they arrive at a Safe Space they can identify themselves to staff who will be able to offer them somewhere to wait and offer to call 999, 101 or a contact of their choice.
If the user wishes to share their location using the app, they can do so using the alert button which will allow them to send a text containing their location (both the address and the what3words) to their named contact.
Over 250 businesses across the county have already signed up their premises as Safe Spaces and their staff have been offered basic training on what to do if someone comes in asking for help.
Stickers and posters will help to identify locations registered with the scheme as Safe Spaces and posters will also be displayed in staff areas to remind employees about the scheme and what to do if they are approached about it.
Local Bus Services!
WSCC has just launched #WestSussBus – a long-term engagement project – to collect views, suggestions and ideas about local bus services. Please see the poster below on how to get involved.
Bolney Gigabit Voucher Project
I am currently trying to find answers from Openreach (OR) as to what is going on in relation to the ‘voucher situation’. I have been trying to communicate all week with OR but have not had replies from my emails, other than to say that they are trying to resolve the situation. So if you are feeling frustrated, I can share your feelings.
I have nonetheless heard from Gregory Merrett, Project Manager, Gigabit Voucher Scheme, West Sussex County Council, who has assured me that the county council wants the scheme to go ahead. They are still committed to providing the funding, assuming that the majority of people apply for new vouchers when/if they are asked to. Also that OR are continuing to progress the elements required to complete the build.
People have joined the scheme at different times during the last year and therefore have different positions in relation to the vouchers. I have chosen to call you group 1, 2 and 3 to make things easier to understand:
Group 1: Those who pledged to join the project a year ago and whose vouchers have now run out.
Group 2: Those who have pledged to join the project and whose vouchers have not yet run out.
Group 3: Those who have pledged to join the project and have not yet received validation details.
I will now try and give advice to the 3 different groups!
Group 1.
For those who haven’t responded to emails from the DCMS, we suggest that you wait until we get clear answers as to the position of OR.
For those who have responded positively to one or more emails offering new vouchers, I am confident that things will be sorted out in the next few days.
Group 2:
For those who have validated their vouchers and have not received emails that they are about to expire, keep a look out for an email from gigabit.vouchers@notifications.service.gov.uk or from GBVSHelp@culture.gov.uk headed UK Gigabit Voucher Scheme – action required. I will send out further information, when I know exactly what the plan is for the future.
Group 3:
For those who have pledged to join the project and have not yet received validation details, I need first to give my attention to the immediate problems of whether the vouchers in Group 1 are running out. As soon as I have this sorted out, I will give my full attention to ensuring that you get your vouchers!
It is obvious that OR have been completely overwhelmed with projects generally during the last year and have been unable to give us accurate information. However Greg has proposed a weekly call between himself, OR and myself so that we can ensure progress is being made and that our project team is confident in the communications we are relaying back to the community.
With best wishes
Annabel Moir
On behalf of the Bolney Broadband Team
Thank you Bolney Volunteers!
Eight volunteers turned out this morning to collect blown and thrown litter from the verges of Bolney. We concentrated on four areas, the old London road, Bolney Chapel Lane, Foxhole Lane, and the church yard and school. Twenty full bags were collected. Items included tyres, metal bars, discarded traffic cones, hoover parts, bin lids, polystyrene packaging, beer cans and bottles, plastic of every description, pet toys, light bulbs, gloves, food containers and crisp packets!
