Author: Andrew Taylor

IN a regular feature on the Town Council website, we will be remembering, on the anniversary of their deaths, the East Grinstead soldiers who died during WWI,  and who are named on the High Street War Memorial.

This month we recall (as recorded on The Roll of Honour website):

James Henry GODWIN

Private G/7431 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment. 1st Division.

Died of wounds 17. 10. 15. Born in Dublin and enlisted in East Grinstead.

Next of kin, East Grinstead.

Buried Chocques Military Cemetery. F. 98

 

Forming an orderly queue at East Court were these members of the Dorset Trefoil Guild together with Town Mayor Dick Sweatman when they visited East Court and stood on the Meridian Line.

The Town Council offers visitors the ‘Official’ Meridian certificate to confirm that you have visited both the East and West hemispheres on visiting East Court. There is a small charge and you need to visit the Town Council during opening hours to get yours. Sadly no guarantee though that the Town Mayor will always be there to join you!

The Town Council awards a series Youth Sports Grants each year. They are awarded in November and the good news is that there is still some spare capacity for last-minute applications. So if you have a group or cause that would benefit please complete an application form as soon as possible. The deadline is 20th of October, so get your skates on!

Sports Grant form

East Grinstead bus station forecourt is being upgraded to make it easier and safer for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians . West Sussex County Council is improving the area around the bus interchange, which is phase 2 of the investment in the railway station redevelopment programme, and which has been specifically agreed with Metrobus and Network Rail.

Improvements include:

• A larger modern bus shelter for passengers
• Relocation of the bus shelter position to make it safer for buses to manoeuvre
• Widening the footpath for pedestrians and cyclists
• Removing hedges to have a more open connection with the railway station interchange and cycle route 21
• Enhanced and improved directional signage
• Complete resurfacing of the public footpath and bus road and lay by

EGTC Leader Rex Whittaker said

“We welcome the WSCC investment into East Grinstead transportation upgrades for a new bus interchange, and whilst there will be some short term disruption during the works programme, we shall be liaising closely with WSCC Highways throughout”.

The scheme will cost £114,000 and is being funded wholly from the developer sourced infrastructure upgrade budget.

East Grinstead Bus Station forecourt is being changed to make it easier for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians.

West Sussex County Council is improving the area around the bus interchange.

Improvements include:

• A larger bus shelter for passengers to use;
• Relocating the bus shelter to make it safer for bus drivers to turn in and out;
• Kerbs realigned to make it easier for pedestrians; and
• Removing hedges and trees to connect the station interchange with existing cycle paths.

The footway at the junction of Brooklands Way and Panell Close is also being improved.

Work will start on the Brooklands Way footpath on Monday, October 5 and continue for nine days.

Work then starts on the bus interchange on Wednesday, October 14.

It will last for 10 weeks, subject to the weather.

All work will take place between 7am and 5pm.

Station Road, between the Station Road roundabout and a point north of the bus station, will close to traffic for the duration of the works.

This is to protect the public and the workforce.

A diversion route will run along Railway Approach and Beeching Way.

A temporary bus stop for passengers will be in operation throughout the closure, located at the railway station drop-off area.

 

West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, John O’Brien, said: “This is an investment in improving sustainable transport for East Grinstead.

“The changes will make it safer and easier to use.

“It will enhance the station forecourt and make it look more attractive to visitors to the town.”

East Grinstead Town Council’s Leader, Rex Whittaker, said: “We have been fully informed of the works for a new bus interchange outside East Grinstead Railway Station.

“We will be liaising with West Sussex County Council as these works progress.”

The scheme will cost £114,000.

It is being paid for by developers’ contributions.

If you are over 65, on a low income, could we help you with a Christmas voucher.

Pick up a form at East Grinstead Town Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Age UK or the library.

Completed forms must be returned on or before Friday 23rd October 2015 to East Crinstead Town Council, Ashurst Wood Parish Council, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Age UK or the library.

Or download the Charity Application Form 2015.

Former Town Promotions Manager Simon Kerr  and Bluebell Railway Operations Manager Tim Baker were among the recipients of the Mid Sussex District Council Chairman’s Community awards, presented at Ravenswood on 13 September.

Both were nominated by the Town Council for their hard work in promoting the town to residents and visitors alike. Simon who still works for the Council in a part time role, retired from the town promotion role in July.

The  pair are pictured with Town Mayor Dick Sweatman.

Seaford & District will be the new company taking over the operation of local bus route 261, operating between Uckfield and East Grinstead, with effect from Monday 14th September 2015.

Operating daily Monday to Saturday, there will some changes to the current times and the route will terminate at Uckfield.

The new timetable can be found here: http://www.journeysolutions.co.uk/bustimes.html