Easy access to the West Sussex countryside

A guide to easy access countryside trails in West Sussex is out now.

The ‘Easy Countryside Trails’ guide lists routes suitable for wheelchair and pushchair users, families and less mobile people.

West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “With the summer holidays upon us, now is the perfect time to think about getting into the outdoors and enjoying our beautiful West Sussex countryside.

“Our county has walks to suit all ages and abilities, and these routes are carefully chosen with no barriers such as stiles or steps and are truly accessible for everyone.”

The guide features 14 walks across West Sussex, with information showing how long each walk is, what the terrain is like, directions, facilities and points of interest.

Walks listed include Chichester Marina, Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve and Sidlesham Quay, Graffham, Southwater Country Park, the Downs Link in Shoreham, and Ardingly Reservoir.

The guide is available on the County Council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk/easytrails, either as a complete booklet or as individual walks. Limited copies of the booklet are available from Libraries and Help Points, or by calling the County Council on 01243 777620.

Conservation signage goes in at beauty spots

Signs explaining the diverse flora and fauna of two of the town’s beauty spots have been installed.

Large, interpretational signage is up at Target Hill local nature reserve in Broadfield and Waterlea Meadow in Furnace Green.

The signs include information on the natural history of the areas as well as some of the plants, birds and animals that may be seen.

Councillor Lenny Walker, Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said:

“Crawley has a wonderfully surprising variety of wildlife.

“This new signage will help visitors to the areas identify some of the plant, bird and animal species they may encounter.”

Another sign in Hawth Woods, Furnace Green, combining nature and heritage, will be installed in the coming weeks.

For more information call 0800 5875888 or visit www.crawley.gov.uk/conservation

Countywide playgrounds project put on hold

Twelve modern-style play areas due to be built across West Sussex have been put on hold after the Government said it planned to review the nationwide project.

The Playbuilder scheme was started more than two years ago, using Government grants to provide an extra 3,500 playgrounds. Unlike traditional swings and roundabouts, they include zip wires, large basket swings and slides, and climbing boulders and frames. In West Sussex 11 areas costing half a million pounds were completed in the last financial year.

The £1.2m grant for West Sussex is administered by the county Youth Service, while district, borough and parish councils carry out the work.

Two of the 14 planned for the current financial year – at Sidlesham Recreation Ground and Steyning Memorial Playing Fields – are being allowed to continue, because construction work has actually started. Each scheme will cost £45,000. The Department of Education will decide the future of the others at the end of August.

“I know there has been an immense amount of community involvement in preparing these playgrounds, with high hopes they will be built,” said Pete Bradbury, Cabinet Member for Children and Families. “However we must await the outcome of the Government review into all of them by the end of next month. The County Council does not have available the funds to make up any shortfall and unfortunately we will not be able to proceed if the grant is withdrawn.

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However I understand completely that difficult decisions will have to be made because of the severe financial situation the Government has inherited.”

The schemes which have been put on hold, with corresponding Government grants, are:

• Quayside Recreation Ground, Shoreham £45,000

• Maybridge Keystone Club, Goring £45,000

• West Way Park, Worthing £45,000

• Queen Street open space, Worthing £45,000

• Dobbins Place, Ifield, Crawley £58,000

• Victoria Park, Haywards Heath £45,000

• Lingfield Park, Haywards Heath £45,000

• Jubilee Walk, Midhurst, £17,600

• Oaklands Park, Chichester, £23,107

• Hotham Park, Bognor Regis £80,000

• Highfield Play Area, Clun Road, Wick £20,000

• Pixies Hollow, Horsham £45,000

Some projects cost more than the figures above, and use top-up funding from other sources.

French Market on its way

A little slice of France is coming to Crawley.

The French Market will set up its stalls in Queens Square from Friday July 30 to Sunday August 1, as part of Crawley Borough Council’s and Crawley Town Centre Partnership’s desire to bring more vibrancy and diversity to the shopping area.

Authentic French food including breads, patisserie, crepes, cheeses, olives, saucisson and pates will be on sale from 9am-5pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10.30am-4pm on Sunday.

The market will also offer soaps, leather goods, jewellery, wooden toys and basketwork.