West Sussex County Council member for Bramber Castle division.
Covering Ashurst, Steyning, Bramber, Upper Beeding, Small Dole and Woodmancote.

News

5th July 2013

CURRENT PROJECTS

I am still working on some of the projects that I set out in the campaign.  I have taken Highway Officers on a tour of the area (again) to highlight things which need attention:-

A283 By-pass - and in particular the Canons Way junction – officers are investigating whether it is possible to do design work on both junctions within the budget currently, rather than just the design work on the Horsham Road junction improvements.

Clays Hill – Highway Officers have spent most of their time telling me why I cannot have repeater signs anywhere on Clays Hill, either on the road or on poles.  There seems to be rules and regulations which prevent this.  Nevertheless, I have got them to investigate “gateway signage” at the corner which could contain wording that would indicate motorist are entering a residential area and should slow down.

This solution is also favoured by Steyning Parish Council and Bramber Parish Council, who will be involved in the project, and possibly also the Steyning & District Community Partnership (visitor and tourism group).

The Street, Bramber – the Consultant’s Report is still awaited, but hopefully will come very shortly now for consultation purposes and then implementation in 2014

OPERATION WATERSHED

Steyning Parish Council is still awaiting some information on possible consultants to use and will then get quotes to apply to Operation Watershed (a WSCC fund) to investigate how flooding in Mouse Lane can be tackled in future, as a first stage of providing a solution.

MAUDLIN LANE BLOCKAGE

As residents of the Maudlin area will know, UK Power Networks have now started their works, which are likely to continue for some six weeks.  As predicted, there were traffic blockages in Maudlin Lane, which is much too narrow for lorries to pass each other.

I therefore convened an emergency meeting this morning (Friday 5th July) with representatives of the contractors (J Murphy & Sons) on site, including local District Councillor, Jim Goddard, and Chairman of the Parish Council, Roger Potter.  Various local residents also attended, who had been complaining in the last couple of days (and rightly so).

The contractors were very helpful and have promised to try and find a solution, which may be putting men with walkie talkies at each end during the critical periods.  They have to get WSCC permission for this and are getting on to the appropriate street works officer.  This is a work in progress.

ASHURST VILLAGE HALL

Ashurst Village Hall is well on the way to completion but still needs much more funding.  They have been granted £12,500 by WSCC Big Society Fund, which tops up the monies they have in hand to continue to build the structure, and get it wind and water tight.  Much more is needed.  Hopefully they will get a boost from the proceeds from the Ashurst Dog Show on Sunday.

CLOSURE OF GREEN LANE, ASHURST

I continue to press for the works to take place to re-open this.  I have been told that this is a high priority for WSCC and they are currently awaiting comments from the two land owners involved before deciding on which engineering solution to go for.

I continue to press on this.

17th June 2013

BROKEN STILE IN ASHURST

On Saturday I was walking in Ashurst and noticed a broken stile and an over grown footpath.

This has now been reported for action to WSCC Rights of Way Department.

FOOTPATHS IN KING ALFRED CLOSE STEYNING

I have received a complaint from a local resident concerning the state of the footpaths in this close, and in particular the damage to the footpath outside number 17.  Photographs are attached.  Again I have forwarded this to the Highways Department with a request for repairs to take place as soon as possible.

13/6/13

CHAIRMAN OF CHANCONTUNBURY CLC

I am very honoured and delighted to have been appointed as the new Chairman of Chanctonbury County Local Committee.  I do thank my colleagues for the trust placed in me, especially as I am a new member.  I chaired my first meeting last evening (12th June) and there were lots of local issues for us here in Steyning, Bramber, Upper Beeding and Woodmancote.

VOLUNTARY POTHOLE INSPECTORS

A new initiative, which is being rolled out in the county, is for local volunteers to come forward as pothole inspectors.  The objective is for local residents to identify potholes and report them to the Highways Department for action and repair.

Training is provided and the reporting method explained.  This then enables the maintenance department to move forward pothole repair quicker than might otherwise have been the case.

This is a useful initiative and I have asked that all the Parish Council Chairman and Clerks are circulated about this.

Thank you to Colin Broucke, Chairman of Woodmancote Parish Council (who are trialling this) for bringing it up at the meeting.

GODSTALLS LANE, NEWHAM CLOSE TRO

This effectively was rejected last night with the exception of the neck of Godstalls Lane, where it was felt – in accordance with the report from a Highways Officer – that the entrance to Godstalls Lane should be protected by yellow lines.

Otherwise, it was generally accepted by the Committee that this would simply displace parking to other areas causing more nuisance to local residents.

Three local residents attended the meeting and spoke against the original proposals and in support of the revised proposal (effectively to scrap the original scheme).  Below are four photographs taken by a local resident which were placed before the Committee.

I received a large post bag over this and generally speaking there were four people in favour and approximately twenty against from this relatively small area.

At a later stage it may be possible to review whether the yellow lines should be extended further down Godstalls Lane, but the Committee felt that it was worthwhile protecting the corners to start with and then seeing how things went.

THE STREET, BRAMBER

A brief report was given by the Principal Community Officer, Cali Sparks, that consultants are designing a scheme for public discussion for a scheme deliverable in 2014, which will have the twin objectives of removing the three offending speed bumps in the middle (which are causing damage to adjoining historic properties) but preserving the 20 mph zone and complimenting the historic street scene.  There is a budget of £20,000 put aside for this.  I am awaiting the first report of the consultants, which hopefully will be around the end of June.

CLAYS HILL

Again, I have asked for reports on the possibility of better signage at the entrance to Clays Hill by the Bramber Castle roundabout, to demonstrate more clearly to motorists that this is a 30 mph zone.  I consider the current signage inadequate.  This is a work in hand and I have stressed that I want this brought forward as soon as possible.

SMALL DOLE VILLAGE HALL

Small Dole Village Hall is in need of some refurbishment.  We were able to make a grant of £1,450 towards external repairs, to the Village Hall Committee, and it was also agreed that as this was a worth while project generally that we would send on their request for other funds of approximately a further £5,000 to the “Big Society Fund” which can deliver much greater grants.  The deadline for applications for the current round (there are three points of delivery per year) is 15th June, so I have signed a letter of support and handed it to the appropriate officer set for onward transmission to the Cabinet Member for Finance.  I hope this will deliver further monies to the Village Hall Committee.

At the CLC meeting, the application was supported by David Coldwell, the District Councillor for that area.

A283 STEYNING BY-PASS (CANONS WAY AND HORSHAM ROAD JUNCTION)

Further work is now being undertaken to review safety issues at my request.  I hope to have a fuller report on this shortly to update local residents, who have expressed many concerns about speeding on the by-pass and safety at the Canons Way junction.  I won’t let this one drop.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is on 11th September at 7.00pm at Storrington First School, Spierbridge Lane, Storrington.

At the express request of Councillor Peter Griffiths, the WSCC Cabinet Member for Communities (who was at the CLC meeting), we are probably going to have a discussion about the proposal from a development company to build a new town in the Mid-Sussex area, because of its impact on the highways system in our area generally.

5/6/13

NEW UPPER BEEDING PARISH COUNCILLORS

I am pleased to say that Upper Beeding Parish Council has co-opted three new members.  These are Marcia Randall, Alan Chilver and John Rowland.  This brings their current compliment up to ten (out of fifteen) and I know they are still looking for volunteers.  If anyone is interested would you please contact their Chairman, David Coldwell, whose email address is david.coldwell@btinternet.com

4/6/13

FLOOD PREVENTION WORKS – OPERATION WATERSHED ACTIVE COMMUNITIES FUND

Attached is an interesting report from the Cabinet member for Highways relating to grants made to four Parish Councils locally for investigation of flood prevention works.  Steyning Parish Council is investigating getting a quote from a Consultant for Mouse Lane Steyning flood prevention works and will then apply to the fund for the cost of this.  It is the first step in a process of getting a solution and hopefully funding works to deliver that solution.

Click Here for Report

3/6/13

TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PEPPERS LANE ASHURST – THURSDAY 25TH JULY FOR TWO DAYS

BT has requested a temporary closure commencing at 9:30am on Thursday 25th July at the junction of Peppers Lane with School Lane and Peppers Farm.  The reason is that BT will be carrying out overhead cable work and need to have safety.  Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and vehicular access to local properties and businesses will also be maintained. 

The closure will only be effective between 9:30 and 15:30 each day.  Work is only expected to be on Thursday 25th July and Friday 26th July.

AGE UK HELP AT HOME SCHEME

You can now get further help for elderly and inform people from Age UK.  A leaflet explaining this is attached.  This is being run in conjunction with Horsham District Council and is for people aged 50+ and disabled and vulnerable adults.

Click here for leflet

31/5/13

Update on UKPN works in Steyning and Bramber

Work has started on replacing the 132kV cable between Steyning and Worthing, the first section being replaced is over the Downs from Annington Nursery to Dankton Lane Sompting.
This will mean that from early May the specially modified drum trailer will be moving from the Grid
Site at Steyning to both Annington Nursery and to the Downs off Titch Hill.  The drum trailer is being towed by a Tractor and because of its size this movement can only be carried out outside peak hours and must have an escort vehicle.

Following discussions with the Highway Authority  the works through Steyning and Bramber were delayed so that there was adequate time for our work to be carried out to avoid excessive disturbance in and around the area.  The excavations are due to start on the 21 June 2013 with the first bay in Goring Road. And the bay on the by-pass .

The section of Maudlin Lane from Clays Hill to Annigton Road will become access only from the 2 July  whilst the two bays in this section of Maudlin Lane are dug out.  Vehicular access will be restricted at either end and at times the road may be closed especially when the cable is being pulled out and in.

During the period of works in Steyning and Bramber the we will be working 7 days so that everything can be completed as quickly as possible.

By mid August we hope to complete all the work as far as Sompting  water stationand the whole project is scheduled to be completed by the end of September

May 2013

Cable unit leaving site of first cable installation

To see the route of the cable run Please Click Here

30/05/2013

VEGETATION CUTBACK IN CASTLE LANE STEYNING

At the request of a resident I have been in touch with WSCC to see if we can get the vegetation cut back at the top of the southern part of Castle Lane (between Goring Road and the Bypass) where the vegetation has caused motorists to move over to the opposite side of the carriageway causing highway damage.  A photograph is below.

I am awaiting feedback on this.

UPPER BEEDING PARISH COUNCIL 4TH JUNE

I attach the agenda for Upper Beeding Parish Council.  I am pleased to see that they have some potential new recruits for their depleted numbers.  If anybody is interested in joining the Parish Council would they please contact the Chairman David Coldwell whose email address is: david.coldwell@btinternet.com

For a copy of the agenda Please Click Here

22/05/13

FLOOD RELIEF IN MOUSE LANE, STEYNING

Following a meeting on Tuesday morning with Cali Sparks, the Community Projects Officer of WSCC, with the local Parish Chairmen and myself, I am pleased to say that the subject of flood relief in Steyning came up at our Steyning Highways Committee last night.  The subject was “Operation Watershed” which is a substantial fund of money available to Parish Councils to start investigating the causes of local flooding and then providing a solution.  The first step is for Steyning Parish Council to investigate the costs of a consultant who could look at the causes of flooding in Mouse Lane, and opposite the Leisure Centre in Horsham Road.  Once that cost is known the Parish Council will make a bid to WSCC for the funding to employ the consultant to then come up with a scheme.  Once that step is known then it may be possible to progress to the next step, which is bidding for the cash to pay for alleviation.

Whilst this won’t be a quick fix, nevertheless the process is now starting, which I am pleased to encourage.

17/05/13

COUNTY COUNCIL SIGNS £20 MILLION DEAL FOR BROADBAND IN WEST SUSSEX

WSCC has now signed a contract with BT valued at about £20 million to bring super fast broadband over the whole of West Sussex, including areas where it is not commercially viable, e.g. rural districts.

Steyning, Upper Beeding, etc, are all within the ambit of this contract, and to find out when it will reach your particularly road, you need to go to BT Openreach website and then there is a tab which says “When and Where” in which you then enter your postcode.

This is a significant step forward.

HOW TO REPORT HIGHWAYS RELATED ISSUES

There is now a dedicated helpline at the WSCC “Contact Centre” on 01243 642105 and which can be reached also by email on omc@westsussex.gov.uk.

The quicker matters are reported to the Operational Centre the quicker, for instance, potholes will be done - some potholes have recently been repaired in Shooting Field/Middle Mead, Steyning.

SMALL DOLE VILLAGE HALL

I am pleased to report that an application has been received from Small Dole Village Hall Committee for a grant of £6,295 towards improvements to the Village Hall.  This will come up at the next CLC meeting on 12th June.

Small Dole Village Hall Committee is a small and dedicated team of 8 volunteers that oversee and manage the Village Hall.

In particular, repairs to the ceiling are needed and some external improvements.

I will support this application as far as I can, but obviously there are other members involved and the “pot” is unfortunately not finite and such a large application would substantially eat into the amount available to the Bramber Castle area.  It may therefore be possibly only to make a part grant.

3/05/13

INTRODUCTION 3RD MAY 2013

This is the start of my West Sussex County Council website and blog in which I hope to give all local residents an update on things I have been doing and matters of interest relating to County Council activities.  I am very grateful to everybody who supported me in the local election yesterday and have now enabled me to serve the local community in a different capacity as the member for Bramber Castle.  Bramber Castle Division is a huge area which covers Ashurst, Steyning, Bramber, Upper Beeding, Small Dole, Woodmancote and Blackstone Village within it.  There are five Parish Councils and I will be regularly attending these at their full council meetings.  I also hope to continue to serve on Committee for the Steyning Area Youth Service (SAYS). 

MY FIRST COUNTY COUNCIL MEETINGS

Over the first few days I have been to County Hall three times culminating in the annual County Council meeting on 14th May.  I am to serve on the Children and Young Persons Scrutiny Committee, The Rights of Way Committee, The Standards Committee and the Chanctonbury County Local Committee (“CLC”).  The new Chairman of the County Council is Amanda Jupp who represents Billingshurst and this is I believe the first time that a female Councillor has held the position. 

FIRST STEPS

I have immediately contacted the relevant officers at County Hall about all the issues that I would like to progress and asked for feedback on these in order to take them forward at the earliest opportunity:-

I will update as we move through these projects.

VISIT TO ASHURST FOOTPATHS ON SATURDAY 11TH MAY

At the request of Ashurst Parish Council I visited a closed footpath in Ashurst where I find that a trench has been filled with asbestos materials and I have alerted the County Council to this further development.  A couple of photographs are attached.  I have asked for this to be remedied as quickly as possible and the footpath reopened.

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER IN NEWHAM LANE

One of the issues I have inherited, is the proposed Traffic Regulation Order in Newham Lane and Newham Close Steyning and this is coming before the Chanctonbury Local Committee (see below) on 12th June.  I have immediately got the detailed plans for the proposal and had a look on site. I have serious misgivings about this proposal and it strikes me as completely unnecessary.  Local residents have expressed a lot of concern about this and the removal of car parking spaces which would cause them considerable personal inconvenience.  Since my visit I have been taking this up with Highway officers to gauge their views and I shall know more in due course. 

As far as I can see, the only benefit would be on the corner of Godstalls Lane where emergency vehicles might have difficulty getting through if there was a parked vehicle on the narrow neck of that road.

CHANCTONBURY COUNTY LOCAL COMMITTEE – NEXT MEETING 12TH JUNE AT 7:00PM

The Chanctonbury County Local Committee consists of the four members for Bramber Castle (myself) Henfield (Lionel Barnard) Storrington (Frank Wilkinson) and Pulborough (Pat Arculus) and we have modest delegated powers to deal with matters of local interest and to act as a sounding board for any local resident who wants to come along and “Talk with us at Chanctonbury”.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 12th June at 7:00pm at St Mary’s C of E Primary School Pulborough.  Full details and an agenda can be found on the “Talk with us at Chanctonbury” website.

The CLCs can now each make five Traffic Regulation Orders per year (but of course covering a very large area) and this is a significant improvement from the previous three Traffic Regulation Orders per year. 

Anyone used to be able to propose TROs and there were some maverick proposals hence the requirement now that if anyone wishes to put forward a TRO proposal they take it first to their local Parish Council and if the Parish Council deems it worthy of support, they will put it forward to us. 

PARISH COUNCIL AGMS

All of our local Parish Councils hold their annual general meetings during May and I have visited them all.  We have a new chairman at Steyning where I have had to stand down as Parish Chairman and this is Councillor Phil Bowell.  Phil is a really hard working and enthusiastic member of the Parish Council and will be an excellent Chairman.  Colin Broucke remains as Chairman of Woodmancote, Roger Potter at Bramber, Alan Griffiths at Ashurst and David Coldwell at Upper Beeding.  I look forward to working with them all over the coming year. 

VISIT TO “CROFT MEADOW” STEYNING

Our picture shows West Sussex County Councillor David Barling (right) and Parish Councillor Phil Bowell (left) together with local residents from Steyning on the occasion of their visit to the open day at Croft Meadow, Steyning.

David Barling said he was impressed by the quality of the building, and its openness and brightness, which would assist dementia patients.

The Councillors were also impressed with the quality of care offered and particularly made a point of speaking to patients and relatives, who confirmed the high standards at this home.