Contact Craig voices “horror” at County Council pilot in Broadstairs
Craig voices “horror” at County Council pilot in Broadstairs
Craig Mackinlay MP has strongly criticised a new 18 month ‘pilot’ in Albion Street, Broadstairs, which cuts the High Street from Harbour Street for no discernible purpose.
The scheme, under the government’s nationwide £250m Emergency Active Travel scheme, is set to be up and running from Friday 25th September despite strong opposition locally led by the South Thanet MP.
It includes a bus gate in Albion Street between the junctions of Alexandra Road and Harbour Street. The closed zone will operate from 10am to 10pm each day, except for use by buses, cycles, licensed taxis and for access. Three disabled bays outside the Albion Hotel have also been removed.
Craig Mackinlay MP commented:
CM at Albion Street Broadstairs – Sept 20
“I am in horror at what is proposed. There has been no consultation, nor any thought as to how this will impact on businesses. Nobody I have spoken to wants this.
“This trial affects businesses at the Harbour Street end worried that sat-nav in particular will not facilitate visitors in finding them, or parking at Broadstairs Harbour and Albion Street car parks unless one has a good knowledge of local ‘rat-runs’. Those living on Carlton Avenue, Lindenthorpe Road, Crow Hill and Nelson Place will suffer increased traffic as the only realistic route for those seeking legitimate access to the Harbour Street end of Broadstairs.”
“Whilst I could accept a rational argument that a trial total closure during the peak of the Summer season may have had validity, particularly to facilitate tables, chairs etc., the scheme that KCC proposes now Autumn is with us allowing through buses, taxis, deliveries and access but disallowing a through route to the general public, achieves little to nothing. I cannot see that this scheme makes walking or cycling any more desirable or is facilitated in any way. It is obvious that pedestrians will always prefer to use The Parade overlooking Viking Bay as they always have. We seem to be being used as an ill-thought out trial so that KCC can access a further £6m in second-tranche government funding. If the Broadstairs trial offers any sense of KCC’s thinking, further plans will likely be used to further frustrate High Street access and increase traffic congestion in other parts of Kent.
“I want these works stopped immediately. Unfortunately KCC will have the final say on this, but I have left senior Highways officers in no doubt of my views.”
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Hands, Face, Space – play your part to Keep Hampshire Safe this autumn.
Over the last week there has been a small increase in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Hampshire, with overall infection rates rising slightly, yet well below the England average. With the general upwards trend in the number of cases, it is critical that we all play our part to Keep Hampshire Safe. Don’t forget: Hands, Face, Space and stick to the rule of six or we could face another hard lockdown. Keep up to date with what’s happening across Hampshire.
Help shape the way we travel
What’s great about walking and cycling in Hampshire? How easy do you find it to use a scooter, pushchair, wheelchair or mobility scooter? Tell us about what needs to be improved by completing our short survey. Let us know the good and the bad, and your views will help us shape future transport schemes. Take our Active Places survey here.
Kickstart for skills and employment
We’re putting in place a raft of support to help residents get into work if they have become unemployed or had difficulty finding work after leaving education or training, due to COVID-19. The plan will help to get Hampshire’s economy back on its feet by building on, and complementing, national initiatives to promote employment and reduce the number of people who are out of work.
Apply now for Year 7 school places
Calling all parents of children in Year 6, at a primary or junior school. You can now apply for their place at a secondary school for September 2021. Applying online is easy, secure and allows you to make changes to your application right up to the closing date and view the outcome. The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on 31 October 2020 and the notification date is 1 March 2021.
Wear not, waste not this autumn
The UK throws away 300,000 tonnes of clothing every year, which amounts to one third of clothing going to waste rather than being reused or recycled. If you had a wardrobe declutter over lockdown, why not help the planet, and your pocket, by hiring, swapping or restyling your way to a new wardrobe? Find out how to wear not, waste not, with some sustainable fashion tips from our Smart Living team.
Join our ‘Cuppa with a Carer’ events
If you’re interested in fostering, grab a cuppa
and sit down with our experts to find out what it is really like. Throughout September and October our experienced foster carers will be hosting virtual question and answer sessions. Right now there are more than 1,600 children in care in Hampshire. Find out how you could make a huge difference to a child’s life.
Heartfelt thanks to volunteers
“Whether collecting medicine for shielding residents, delivering food and household supplies, or checking in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours – every act of kindness and solidarity has made a marked difference.” Read our thanks for the tremendous work of Hampshire’s army of volunteers responding to the needs of communities during the coronavirus outbreak.
Thousands more apply for EUSS
The number of successful applications by Hampshire residents to the Government’s EU Settlement Scheme continues to increase.
Latest figures show that approximately 80% of Hampshire’s EU citizens had signed up to the Scheme by the end of June. Support and advice is available for those needing help with the online form or with complex cases.
Top spots for autumn walks
With autumn in the air, there’s plenty to enjoy about walks in Hampshire’s countryside. With low sun, colours of red and gold and tempting piles of scrunchy leaves, not to mention the all-round benefits of physical exercise, why not get closer to nature this autumn. Our Countryside team share their top spots for walks this season.
Heritage Open Days for all this week
Celebrate Hampshire’s history and beauty with Heritage Open Days this week. From activities and exhibitions in our stunning countryside, this year we have virtual tours and online screenings that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your sofa. Join us for a tour of the secret and hidden places of The Great Hall, Winchester or discover hidden nature trails and take a virtual tour through the history of Lepe and its surrounding area from 70,000BC
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Businesses required to prepare for NHS COVID-19 app
Businesses like pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas are required to ensure they have NHS QR code posters visible on entry so customers who have downloaded the new NHS COVID-19 appcan use their smartphones to easily check-in.
The move comes ahead of a national launch of the NHS COVID-19 app across England and Wales on Thursday 24 September.
It is now legally required for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data and keep this for 21 days.
Businesses can refuse entry to anyone or any group who refuses to provide the requested details – unless they are under 16.
Businesses and other public settings where people meet socially – including hospitality venues, workplace canteens, close contact services, hotel and guest accommodation, museums, galleries and libraries, leisure and community venues – must record details of customers, visitors and staff.
Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for businesses and egregious breaches enforced.
Organisational culture has faced dramatic, likely permanent changes in the wake of COVID-19. The challenges businesses face include:
Abrupt transitions to remote work that force new modes of communication
Rebuilt business strategies with no guarantees of success
The ever-present need for a workforce to do more with less
Innovate Enterprise Solutions (IES) offer leadership, team and business development consultancy and training with a key focus on people and change. They offer bespoke solutions to meet the needs of your people and your organisation’s success.
Let IES help shape your culture in a way that supports employee morale, business recovery and continued success!
Come along and connect with Danielle Heath & Steph Grainger at the Braintree Enterprise Centre on Wednesday, 30 September. Or if you prefer book on for a Zoom session.
Businesses and Venues required to enforce the ‘rule of six’
Last Friday (18 September), the government announced that any premises which permits consumption of food or drink ON its premises should enforce these conditions:
must not accept a booking for a table of more than 6 (unless meets the exemption)
no group shall be admitted that exceeds 6
no person from one group can mingle with another group
an appropriate distance (2 metres or 1 metre with mitigation) must be kept between groups
Hospitality venues – including pubs, bars and restaurants – are now legally required to enforce the rule of 6 or face a fine of up to £4,000.
Support for businesses as new restrictions are introduced to suppress the virus
We would like to thank businesses for all their hard work in implementing the new COVID-19 secure guidelines over the past few months. We recognise that what’s been asked of businesses, in all sectors, has been an incredibly difficult and challenging task.
We realise that implementing the new changes may involve a certain degree of trial and error and will be work in progress. It’s important to remember, however, that some of the changes are now mandated in law.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind businesses of the key steps to working safely:
We’ve worked hard to read and interpret the new guidance to be in a position to advise our local businesses, visitor attractions and other premises on how to operate safely.
If your business needs help in improving procedures or in understanding what more needs to be done, please email [email protected] or telephone 01376 557790 for that advice, help and support.
Our role is to help and support you – so help us, help you.
Government extends support to stop business evictions this year
Businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of year, providing commercial tenants with greater security and protecting vital jobs, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on Thursday (16 September 2020).
This move will help those businesses most in need of additional support to remain in their premises without the threat of eviction for the rest of this year, giving them the chance to focus on rebuilding their business over the autumn and Christmas period.
Data tells us that 1 in 3 road crashes involve somebody who is ‘at work’ at the time. That’s not just van, lorry or bus drivers, it could be a manager going to a meeting or somebody popping out for supplies. These incidents not only cause pain and suffering for those involved, they can damage business or organisational reputations, generate unnecessary costs and leave you open to legal problems.
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership, supported by Highways England, are offering a free Driving for Better Business intervention to provide guidance and advice in managing road risk. There is no obligation and all information is exchanged on a fully confidential basis.
You can call the government’s helpline on FREEPHONE 0800 998 1098 for free, impartial advice and business support.
You can find free support, advice and sources of finance through your local growth hub orspeak to an advisoron webchat about support for your business.
This useful financial toolcan also help you find the right support for your business.
We will continue to bring you the most up-to-date advice via these emails, our website and on social media. You can also contact us on [email protected]for help, advice and support.
Please join our closed Braintree District Businesses Facebook group to find support from other businesses in our district.
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Council’s commitment to help those with hidden disabilities
On Thursday 17 September, Councillors at Lewes District Council passed a motion to formally support a scheme that discreetly indicates a person has a hidden disability and may need help.
Anyone with an invisible disability – which does not have physical signs and includes learning disabilities, lung conditions and chronic illnesses – can opt to wear a Hidden Disability Sunflower to show they may require additional help, understanding or extra time to carry out an action.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Sean MacLeod and seconded by Councillor Milly Manley, was carried with the following commitments:
To offically recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
To officially promote what it stands for and its importance in breaking stigma
To help promote Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to local businesses and encourage them to formally look at recognising it
To promote that the council offices are Hidden Disability friendly and promote the Sunflower on its buildings so people can identify the council as Hidden Disability friendly
To actively promote and encourage local Town and Parish councils and the County Council to recognise the scheme
Councillor MacLeod said: “I am very pleased we are supporting this fantastic scheme as these disabilities can make people’s lives particularly challenging, painful or isolating. By wearing a sunflower lanyard, badge or wristband someone is indicating they have a hidden disability and may find certain situations difficult or stressful, causing them to act differently.
“This symbol allows us to give them the help and understanding they may need in their day-to-day lives.”
Councillor Manley added: “Covid-19 has created a range of extra difficulties for people with hidden disabilities such as the wearing of face coverings in many public places. This can create complex issues for people with hidden disabilities and they may encounter stigma for not wearing a face covering despite being exempt under government guidance.
“By promoting the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, we will be making life easier for people whose disabilities may not be immediately obvious alongside helping to combat any stigma they face.”
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Representatives from West Sussex County Council and Christ’s Hospital School gathered on Friday 11th September for a photo shoot to mark the opening of a previously disused section of the Downs Link on the old Guildford Railway Line behind Christ’s Hospital station.
“The new path will provide a safer route for the users of this important off-road recreational route, as well as encouraging new ones – but please remember the need for social distancing at all times”
Attendees to the low-key, socially-distanced gathering were Head Teacher of Christ’s Hospital Simon Reid and Chief Operating Officer of Christ’s Hospital Nick Tesseyman, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Members Deborah Urquhart and Roger Elkins and local county councillors for the area, Amanda and Nigel Jupp.
Although, due to Covid-19 restrictions, an official opening ceremony has not been possible, it is hoped that a celebration will take place in honour of the new Downs Link section as soon as circumstances allow.
The upgrade – a long-term collaborative project between Christ’s Hospital School and West Sussex County Council – will mean that anyone using the Downs Link between Mill Lane and Christ’s Hospital Station will now be able to do so safely off-road.
The works to the ‘missing’ 1.4km section of the Downs Link included repairing two bridges, vegetation clearance, surfacing, drainage and platform repairs. They were jointly funded by Christ’s Hospital School and the County Council and supported by the local community and organisations.
The School, as a local landowner and large employer in the Horsham area, was keen to assist with improving local rights-of-way connectivity to help promote the use of alternative forms of transport for both the local community and Christ’s Hospital.
Nick Tesseyman, Chief Operating Officer at Christ’s Hospital, said: “This is a really good example of how the School can partner with the Council to improve the environment for the local community. We look forward to seeing increased usage of the path, with people adhering to current Government advice and COVID-19 guidelines, of course.”
Deborah Urquhart, County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I’m delighted to see the opening of this new section of the Downs Link and thank Christ’s Hospital for its vital contribution to make it happen.
“The new path will provide a safer route for the users of this important off-road recreational route, as well as encouraging new ones – but please remember the need for social distancing at all times.”
Roger Elkins, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure, added: “This is a success story made possible through a marvellous, collaborative effort involving the School itself, West Sussex Highways’ team, the contractors, Balfour Beatty Living Places, Landbuild and the local community and organisations.
“I would also like to thank all those who have supported the project and helped make it happen.”
The Downs Link is a nationally-important, long distance, shared route connecting the North and South Downs. The Guildford Branch Line was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching Cuts. The last train ran on 14th July 1965 when a group of Christ’s Hospital School pupils decided to mark the occasion by singing “Abide with Me” as the train pulled out of Christ’s Hospital Station.
In 2011, Christ’s Hospital purchased a 1.6km section of the former Guildford Branch Line from Christ’s Hospital Station to the A264 Five Oaks Road near Slinfold. This was the start of securing the new route.
Since the creation of the Downs Link there has not been an available link along the old railway line to Christs Hospital, so anyone using the route has, in the intervening years, had to resort to using the road for this 1.9km stretch. Christ’s Hospital station can now be safely accessed by bicycle or on foot and walkers, runners, cyclists and horse-riders alike will now be able to enjoy an uninterrupted stretch of the Sussex countryside.
For more information about the Downs Link, including a map of the Christ’s Hospital route, please see: www.westsussex.gov.uk/downslink
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