Author: Andrew Taylor
Southern Gas Network planned roadworks
We are writing to let you know about our project to upgrade our gas network around Buckhurst Way, East Grinstead. We are replacing our old metal gas mains and services with new plastic pipe. This essential work will ensure your community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.
In consultation with West Sussex County Council, our contractor, WCB Utilities, will start work on 11 April for approximately twenty-three weeks. The work will be completed in the phases listed below.
Lowdells Lane/Sackville Gardens/Lowdells Close
We will start work in the roads listed above on 11 April. In order to safely access our network of pipes we will need to close Lowells Lane at the junction with Sackville Gardens to outside Bevere Cottage and at the junction with Windmill lane for approximately three weeks. We will also be working in Sackville Gardens and Lowdells Close. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion route will be in place.
Buckurst Mead
We will need to close Buckhurst Mead from 18 April for approximately three weeks. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion route will be in place.
Sackville Gardens
From 25 April for approximately six weeks, we will need to close Sackville Gardens. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion route will be in place.
We will need to return to Sackville Gardens and close the road from opposite property number 1 to outside property number 25 from 13 June for approximately five weeks.
Buckhurst Way
From 2 May for approximately twelve weeks, we will need to close Buckhurst Way. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion route will be in place. We will also be working in Knole Avenue and King George Avenue; we will be asking vehicles to ‘give and take’ when passing the work site.
Dorset Avenue
Our engineers will be working in Dorset Avenue from the junction of Sackville Gardens to outside number 35. We will need to close the road from 13 June for approximately four weeks.
Buckhurst Close
From 4 July for approximately four weeks, we will be working in Buckhurst Close and asking motorists to ‘give and take’ past our work area. We will also be working in London Road at the junction with Buckhurst Way.
Lingfield Road/Highfield Road
We will be working in Lingfield Road at the junction of Highfield Road from 25 July for two weeks, temporary traffic lights will be installed to safely allow the traffic to flow past the work site. Highfield Road will be closed from 25 July for approximately four weeks. Access will be maintained for residents and a diversion route will be in place.
London Road
Multi-way traffic lights will be temporarily installed in London Road at the junction with Yew Lane from 12 September for three weeks.
We understand that people can get frustrated by roadworks, and therefore only use traffic management if it would be unsafe not to.
EG Model Railway Club
The Mayor had a great morning on Saturday at the East Grinstead Model Railway Club exhibition at Sackville School. Chatting to the stall holders and inspecting their layouts.
Ariel Drama Academy Showcase
The Town Mayor and Mayoress were privileged (and bewitched!) to attend the Ariel East Grinstead Academy Showcase event at The Hawth on 20th March.
A wonderful testament to youthful energy and fun! The annual Showcase has had to be postponed over the last two years due to the pandemic and so this year’s, combining with Crawley, was extra special!
Ariel runs every Saturday to offer a fun afternoon of drama, dance and singing to children ranging from 3 to 19 years old. They also run classes for children with additional needs.
West Sussex response to the conflict in Ukraine
Following the launch of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, We urge those residents who have already been in touch with the County Council to offer support for families or individuals, or are able to do so, to now register via the online portal.
WSCC are delivering wraparound support for those arriving under this scheme, as they are for recently evacuated Afghan families, and those who fled from other global conflicts under the current UK Resettlement programmes.
Further information, links and the dedicated email address please visit West Sussex County Council website which will be updated as new information becomes available.
We are looking to see how we at the Town Council can directly help with the resettlement of refugees. If you have language skills which may be helpful please get it touch with our Community and Tourism Manager Alice Fletcher at communityandtourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk
Introduction of flexible season ticket offer and changes to parking charges to come into effect
From 28 March Mid Sussex District Council will implement a new flexible season ticket offer and increase car parking charges in line with inflation.
Changes to car park season tickets, which are mainly used by town centre workers and commuters will better match new customer behaviour. The pandemic has dramatically changed the way people work, with many more people working flexibly from home and office and this has had an impact on the demand for season tickets. A flexible 3-day season ticket is being introduced to fit in with these new working habits
Public sector organisations across the UK are facing serious financial challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. In local government, the financial cost of supporting communities through the pandemic has been huge. Even with additional funding from the Government, the cost to Mid Sussex District Council was £1.9 million during the 2020/21 financial year and Covid-19 will continue to have a significant impact on the Council’s finances over the coming years.
Parking charges in Mid Sussex Pay and Display car parks have remained the same for the past ten years, which means they have not kept pace with inflation or rising management and maintenance costs.
Mid Sussex District Council is increasing parking charges to help protect essential public services and to enable continued investment in the parking estate, including in new technologies to improve customer service. This will mean parking for one hour will increase from 80p to £1. This increase will generate around £350,000 each year.
Mid Sussex is currently one of the cheapest places to park in the region when compared to neighbouring Council areas and this will continue to be the case with the new charges. For comparison Parking for 2 hours in a Mid Sussex District Council car park will cost a maximum of £1.50 compared with £1.80 in Lewes, £2 in Crawley and £2.80 in Horsham.
Councillor Stephen Hillier, MSDC Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said:
“Our parking charges have remained frozen for the past decade and by bringing them back in line with inflation we will be able to support our key statutory services while also investing in the modernisation of our car parks.
“The decision to increase parking charges is not one we take lightly, but we must make some tough choices over the next few years if we are to effectively manage our budget and recover from the effects of this awful pandemic.”
“The financial pressures created on council finances by the coronavirus pandemic are here to stay for the foreseeable future. We must plan ahead if we are to protect our services and safeguard the long-term sustainability of the Council.”
Protected: Newsletter 18/03/22
Ukraine
The East Grinstead Town Council has raised the flag of Ukraine in the High St, alongside the Union Flag and will continue to fly this during the conflict following the Russian Invasion of Ukraine’s
borders.
Many residents are asking what they can do to help, we have provided some information below.
Donations
Current Government guidance about how people can help, especially with donations can be found on the Government website.
Refugees arriving in the UK
There are a number of programmes emerging from Government to support refugees who wish to come to the UK.
The Ukraine Family Scheme allows family members of British nationals and people settled in the UK to come to the UK. From Tuesday 15 March, Ukrainian passport holders will be able to travel to
the UK without having to attend a visa application centre in advance. The Ukraine Family Scheme visa will last for 3 years.
We are aware there are a number of Mid Sussex families who this scheme will apply to and Mid Sussex Councils will provide appropriate support. In addition, the Government has made clear that people who arrive under this scheme will be able to work and study in the UK and access public funds to support them if required. You can find more information about the Ukraine Family Scheme.
There will also be a Local Sponsorship Scheme for Ukrainians without any family ties to the UK and we understand that more details will be announced by Government. This scheme will allow sponsors such as charities, businesses and community groups to come forward to be matched to a Ukrainian individual or family who need refuge. There will be no limit to this scheme and those who arrive in the UK will be granted an initial 12 month leave to remain and be able to work and access public services. Further details on this scheme will be published soon with information about how people and organisations can apply to be sponsors.
We know that East Grinstead residents want to help, the best thing to do is donate through the organised charities who are already set up and on the ground in Poland and other countries. We will play our part over the coming weeks and months offering support to the refugees and making them welcome while on our shores.
West Sussex response to the conflict in Ukraine
Following the launch of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, We urge those residents who have already been in touch with the County Council to offer support for families or individuals, or are able to do so, to now register via the online portal.
WSCC are delivering wraparound support for those arriving under this scheme, as they are for recently evacuated Afghan families, and those who fled from other global conflicts under the current UK Resettlement programmes.
Further information, links and the dedicated email address please visit West Sussex County Council website which will be updated as new information becomes available.
We are looking to see how we at the Town Council can directly help with the resettlement of refugees. If you have language skills which may be helpful please get it touch with our Community and Tourism Manager Alice Fletcher at communityandtourism@eastgrinstead.gov.uk
Litter Picking
There are currently several groups litter-picking in the town including the Ashplats Residents Group, the TAG group and a group organised by What’s Happening in EG (Facebook Page).
East Grinstead Town Council, when asked, co-ordinate bags, gloves and pickers for these picks and we send councillors and staff to go along to them. We also arrange for the bags to be taken away. In recent times due to the pandemic and there have understandably been less litter picks. However, the Council looks to increase this as part of Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean each year.
Bins and litter come under MSDC but we are trying to encourage them to split the bins into rubbish and recycling and we do ask WSCC to access their land to clear the rubbish.