Verging on perfection: ‘Road verges don’t come better than this’ says expert
(All the pictures are by kind permission of Neil Hulme)
This stunning West Sussex road verge, with its flourishing flora and fauna, has received a rave report from consultant ecologist and butterfly expert Neil Hulme.
Neil, who works closely with the County Council, South Downs National Park Authority and many landowners to help improve habitats for the benefit of butterflies and a wealth of other wildlife, said of his summer research: “Road verges don't come better than this. It was like walking across a mini nature reserve, which is what many verges have the potential to be, forming vital ‘green corridors’ across the landscape.
“The results of my butterfly surveys here are spectacular, as is the flora, which includes beauties such as the Bee Orchid. My count of 424 butterflies included 20 species, the highlights being 107 Small Blue, which is quite rare and very localised in distribution, 222 Common Blue and 21 Brown Argus. Mating pairs of these three species were seen and many other females were observed laying eggs on plants which would be removed if cut too early in the year.”
Neil went on to explain: “Butterflies are highly sensitive indicators of habitat health. Where they occur in high numbers and diversity, it means that many other aspects of our fauna and flora will be flourishing.”
The verge, off the A280 near Worthing, is now destined to be designated the 85th Notable Road Verge (NRV) in West Sussex. Please note: there is no safe parking nearby and part of the reason for the flourishing flora and fauna is the lack of footfall, so people are urged to please keep to the public footpaths if visiting this soon-to-be NRV, or any of the existing ones.
Joy Dennis, County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We are very fortunate to have glorious road verges such as this in the county and this shows, in stunning fashion, how our rural cutting regime can produce this kind of display in places, where road safety allows.”
Deborah Urquhart, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “I couldn’t agree more with Neil’s comments – his pictures are stunning. Some of our roadside verges are home to a number of scarce insect and plant species, provide spectacular wildflower displays and are testament to our commitment to the Pollinator Action Plan.”
Neil was equally enthusiastic about the condition of the NRV at Kithurst Hill, near Storrington, which forms part of a larger site managed by the South Downs National Park Authority: “This must be the only road verge in the UK where you can see both the very rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly and the iconic Round-headed Rampion flower, known as the Pride of Sussex.”
The existing 84 NRVs comprise 51km of verge - covering an area of 293 football pitches.
Each verge has a distinctive oak marker post installed so that they receive appropriate management.
Gritty determination to be winter ready
If you see gritters on the roads on Saturday morning (16 October), don’t do a double-take if it’s mild – West Sussex Highways is testing its winter readiness.
The annual “dry run” with the gritters prepares the County Council to keep safe main roads and approaches to hospitals, schools/colleges and busy bus routes.
A West Sussex Highways spokesperson said: “Our fleet of 19 gritters will be ready to go when the frosty weather arrives.
“Drivers from contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places check the vehicles and equipment are in good working order and it is an opportunity to familiarise themselves again with the routes.
“They also note any problems, such as overgrown hedges, that need attention ahead of severe weather later in the year and see if there are ways to make the runs more efficient.”
There is more information online about our winter planning, including our gritting routes and how we decide which roads to grit.
Residents can follow us on Twitter @WSHighways #GritterTwitter to see our daily decision on whether to send the gritters out.
Some nitty-gritty:
- The gritting routes cover nearly 1,700km of highway, including all A and B roads, and include routes of local importance such as major bus routes, access to emergency service bases, hospitals and large industrial establishments.
- We monitor the weather closely from 1 October to 30 April and will make a daily decision on whether we need to grit (salt).
- We start the winter season with around 8,000 tonnes of salt in our stores and monitor stocks carefully throughout the season.
- We support town and parish councils which have local winter plans by topping up grit bins at the beginning of the winter season.
- Whilst we’re out spreading, grit takes time to work on the roads and we always ask drivers to please take their time and drive to the conditions.
For further information please contact the news desk on 0330 222 8090 or email pressoffice@westsussex.gov.uk.
Council adopts modern slavery statement ahead of national awareness day
Leading councillors at Chichester District Council have agreed to adopt a formal agreement on the steps it will take to help prevent modern slavery.
The Modern Slavery Transparency Statement was agreed at the council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 5 October 2021.
“This is very timely as Modern Slavery Awareness Day takes place on 18 October,” says Councillor Roy Briscoe, the council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Sport and Culture. “We are thoroughly committed to preventing and taking action against identified slavery and human trafficking in what we are doing as a council. This type of crime happens in plain sight, it can be on the high street, in agriculture and also in hospitality, and we all have a responsibility to be vigilant and report any concerns to Sussex Police.
“The statement sets out the expectations of our own organisation, as well as making clear that we expect high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners to ensure that they are not using forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children. As a council we also expect that in turn they will also hold their own suppliers to these same standards.”
The statement, which will soon become mandatory for all local authorities, sets out the council’s actions to address all potential modern slavery risks relating to its activities and the steps in place to combat them.
Councillor Briscoe added: “We work closely with our local partners, and there is a multi -agency serious organised crime group for the Chichester District which looks to tackle all types of exploitative crimes. Exploitation and modern slavery are a priority for the Community Safety Partnership and it also forms part of our safeguarding training for staff, partners, volunteers and others including taxi drivers. Council staff are encouraged to raise any concerns about modern slavery and frontline staff also receive extra training in this area.”
For more information about Modern Slavery Awareness Day go to www.theclewerinitiative.org
Was your child born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018? If so they are eligible to start school in September 2022
WS110(N) Starting School Leaflet 2022_OSD1
MARCH FOR MANHOOD CANCELLED
Neighbourhood Plan Review
The Neighbourhood Plan is now under review. Please access the new website either from the Parish Council home page, or at birdhamreview.org.
March for the Manhood Sat Oct 9th 2021 10am - 12pm
Manhood Peninsula Action Group
Manhood Peninsula Action Group
Campaigning to protect the Manhood Peninsula from over development
Please can you help?
Over the last two years the Manhood Peninsula Action Group (MPAG) has been campaigning to protect the Manhood Peninsula from over-development. With no Local Plan, we are very vulnerable and we see more and more housing applications being submitted - we are now up to 1,000 more houses in the planning system.
We have been campaigning successfully on a shoestring and, with the help of a few and thanks to their generosity, we have so far set up a website, printed flyers and banners and more as we continue to make the case for no more houses on the Peninsula. With funds we could improve our website, commission videos and campaign more effectively.
In addition, we anticipate we may need to raise substantial funds to afford legal advice to challenge Chichester District Council’s Local Plan, when it is finally produced, if it promotes more development on the Peninsula and the Harbour Villages. If good things happen and the money is not needed, we will distribute it to local environmental charities.
How do you contribute?
We have set up a fiscal hosting site to raise funds for our work. Do have a look, it is simple and easy to use. Just click on the link:
https://opencollective.com/wwwmanhoodpagcouk
All contributions will be very gratefully received to help us to continue to fight for what we all know is best for the Manhood - No More Houses.
Our sincere thanks
Joan Foster and the MPAG team
Website: www.manhoodpag.co.uk
Email: manhoodpag@gmail.com
The Manhood Peninsula Action Group and Manhope
The March for Manhood
Dear Resident
We are writing to tell you about The March for Manhood, taking place on Saturday 9 October in Chichester. Some of you may have already heard about it, but this letter is going to everyone on MPAG's mailing list. Please spread it far and wide
This is an opportunity for ALL local Chichester communities to peacefully protest to protect the Manhood Peninsula and Chichester Harbour villages from unsustainable development.
We are sure you agree there is a real concern about the proposed number of houses for Chichester District, the woefully inadequate drainage and sewage systems as well as our terrible traffic situation. Also, the recently published IPCC Climate Change Report very clearly highlights the threat of flooding along the south coast.
The march takes place on Saturday, 9 October in Chichester from 10am to 12 noon, starting at County Hall, West Street PO19 1RQ and ending up at Priory Park PO19 1NS. We have invited Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to attend to accept our petition “Stop the Urbanisation of the Manhood Peninsula”, along with our local MP Gillian Keegan.
A great turnout on the day will demonstrate to Michael Gove and Gillian Keegan the overwhelming feeling there is in our communities to protect our environment.
We hope that you and members of your group or community will want to join us on this peaceful march to Priory Park. We know that other groups are running petitions, if you would like to join us in presenting them – please do so, and please let us know.
Separately, we are sending out an email with posters attached that you can print out and use in your home, or shops and businesses. All you need to help spread the word will be there. In addition, we would encourage people to make their own posters to carry on the day – the more the merrier!
Considerable work in organising this event is underway, we have permission from CDC and West Sussex Police and we are now recruiting marshals and volunteers. So that we have enough helpers on the day we would be grateful, if you have any idea of numbers or potential marchers, please let us know
If you would like to volunteer to help us on the day, please email hello@manhope.uk using the title March Volunteer
Kind regards
Joan Foster Melissa Smith
Manhood Peninsula Action Group Manhope
manhoodpag@gmail.com hello@manhope.uk
WSCC gives critical support to Afghan nationals arriving in the UK
West Sussex County Council is providing critical support to Afghan nationals arriving in the UK from Afghanistan.
The council is committed to supporting the government’s Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and ‘Operation Warm Welcome’.
The council is working closely with our District and Borough partners to identify suitable properties which can be used to provide long-term accommodation for Afghan families who have arrived in the UK.
We also encourage anyone who wishes to help those arriving from Afghanistan to visit our website where there are details of local and national organisations accepting financial and practical donations.
Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire & Rescue, said: “The situation in Afghanistan is one that requires a global response to help protect those involved from a very real threat of harm. Many people arriving into the UK on rescue flights from Afghanistan were unable to bring any luggage or personal items with them having been forced to flee their homes with little time to spare as the situation escalated.
“We are doing everything we can to support these families, many of whom bring with them skills, knowledge and experience of great value and I hope everyone across West Sussex will join us in welcoming and supporting those looking to settle here and rebuild their lives safely.”
Housing
As a council, we are working closely with our District and Borough partners to coordinate offers of housing support across the county.
If you have or know of anyone who has self-contained long-term accommodation available for rent for at least 12 months, please get in touch by emailing AfghanistanSupport@westsussex.gov.uk.
Donations
We know that people are keen to offer donations of clothes and toys. If you have such items in good condition, then please contact one of the volunteer organisations across West Sussex whose details are listed on our website.
West Sussex County Council is not able to accept or take these donations, so please do not send these items to us.
Anyone who wishes to donate money may want to consider giving to one of the national charities currently running Afghan appeals, such as the British Red Cross.
For the most up-to-date information on how you can help, visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/AfghanistanSupport.