SGN – Notification of gas network upgrade on A22 London Road, East Grinstead

We have been notified by SGN, that they are upgrading the gas network on the A22 London Road, East Grinstead. Their project involves the essential replacement of old metal gas mains with new plastic pipe.

The project is a safety-critical project to upgrade the gas network on the A22, rather than wait until the pandemic passes, to ensure the local community continues to receive a safe and reliable gas supply.

SGN has agreed with West Sussex County Council, as well as adjacent local authorities, to carry out this necessary work during the national lockdown to minimise disruption to the local community.

Please see the attached phases of the project:

Phase one – lasting approximately one week

SGN engineers will be working along the footpath on the A22 London Road from outside the Fire Station to opposite the La Farola restaurant. Traffic flow will be maintained in both directions.

Phase two – lasting approximately one week

On Monday 1 February, SGN will move into the carriageway on the A22 London Road, working outside La Farola. For everyone’s safety, SGN will close one lane of the carriageway while they carry out the work.

The bus stop outside the Fire Station will be suspended throughout.

Phase three – lasting approximately two weeks

On Monday 8 February, SGN engineers will be working in the carriageway on the A22 from outside the Fire Station to outside the entrance to Aldi. During this time, SGN will close this section of the A22. Signed diversions will be in place via the A22, A272, A3, M23 and the A264. Access will be maintained for properties and businesses between Aldi and the Lingfield Road roundabout.

To ensure local bus operators can to continue to serve the local area, SGN will implement one-way systems on Garland Road and Maypole Road. Access to Garland Road will be via A22 travelling southbound to Park Road only, with access to Maypole Road only possible via Park Road.

Parking suspensions will be in place on Garland Road and Maypole Road throughout. For further details regarding the bus route, please contact your local bus operator.

Phase four – lasting approximately two weeks

SGN’s final network upgrade will be in Moat Road, at the junction with the A22. During this time, SGN will install temporary two-way lights around our work area. These lights will be manually controlled 7am to 7pm, to assist traffic flow.

SGN’s team have permission to work extended hours, including on weekends, to complete this work as quickly as possible.

SGN are working closely with the UK Government and public health bodies to make sure they work in line with expert advice during the pandemic. They have extra safety precautions in place to protect their colleagues and the local communities from catching or spreading the virus as we carry out our safety-critical project. There’s more information about their coronavirus response on their website: sgn.co.uk/coronavirus.

To contact them please use these hyperlinks: Find SGN on Facebook and follow SGN on Twitter: @SGNgas

Census 2021

The 2021 Census is due, with a national publicity beginning very soon. Households will be receiving their Census packs at the beginning of March. Census Day is itself 21st March, and people will have up to the beginning of May to complete.

Although it wasn’t certain whether or not the Census would actually take place (due to COVID-19), key planning by the Office for National Statistics has prevented it from being delayed. There has been very detailed planning to develop and to protect the safety of all those involved – whether Census staff or members of the public.

The main reason why there is the confidence that the Census can be successfully carried out is that it is Digital-first and the majority of respondents are expected to complete it in this way.

Please see the below attachment:

Download the PDF file .

 

Joint message from our local GPs

Message from the joint East Grinstead surgeries 8 January 2021:

Having confirmed our first COVID19 vaccination deliveries, we will begin vaccinations within the next week (subject to changes in delivery dates). NHS England has set out clearly the priority order of groups of residents and frontline health and care workers to be vaccinated over the coming weeks and months.

We will be contacting patients directly to invite them to vaccination clinics which will be held at Meridian Hall, East Court, College Lane, East Grinstead, RH19

We ask that you do not call GP practices directly as we will not be able to assist. This will prevent phone lines being available for people with medical needs and other queries which inevitably stops patients who need our services being able to access them.

Here is a link to information on why people will have to wait for their vaccination – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-why-you-are-being-asked-to-wait/why-you-have-to-wait-for-your-covid-19-vaccine

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation throughout this pandemic.

National lockdown update

As we return to a full-scale national lockdown, please abide by the latest government guidelines. East Grinstead Covid-19 rates have increased significantly over the last two days. Please see here to access information surrounding the rate of infection.

We have an urgent request from local GP’s not to phone them to book a vaccine and rather wait until you are contacted by them for an appointment. If you are not registered to a GP, please visit www.moatfield.co.uk where you can register.

East Grinstead in West Sussex is in Tier Two

At this time East Grinstead has officially recorded very high infection rates:  we are the highest in West Sussex with 2 of the 3 areas being well above the national average.

Everyone, within our Town, is asked to abide by the tier two rules so that the infection figures can come down and we can hopefully see the back of this virus. The more we bend or break the rules set out by the government the more chance of spreading the virus to those you love and the chance of being moved into the more severe tier 3. (damaging for our economy).  These are the rules in Tier 2:

We would like to remind everyone of the maximum of ‘six people outside’ rule. The rule also applies to school pupils who congregate after school as they are no longer classed in their school bubble.

When you are shopping or using the town centre, please think about your journey times; can you go out a little later when it is not so busy?   Mid Sussex District Council has enabled free car parking from 3 pm for each Saturday in December,  in all their car parks. Many shops will be staying open later (we are compiling a list and will post it as soon as we can) so please if you can go out a little later, it will be less busy and safer from larger crowds.

We are hearing about vaccination roll-outs coming in the next few weeks starting with the most vulnerable and elderly. Do not contact the GP surgery or other medical unit asking when you will get your jab; you will be contacted by the NHS directly.   Your invitation will tell you how you can book your appointment.