Readers' Letters - March 5 2009

Readers' letters from the March 5 issue of the Observer.

Action on air quality is on the agenda, but has to compete for funding

it might be helpful if we could comment in detail on the letter from Mr Stacey in the Observer (February 12) relating to air quality around Chichester.

Acceptable upper levels of a number of pollutants in our atmosphere are laid down nationally. European rules will become mandatory next year.

When permitted levels of any of these pollutants are exceeded, the authority concerned has to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), and is required by statute to prepare an Air Quality Management action plan.

Excess levels have occurred at times at a location near the A27 Stockbridge roundabout, and at one location each in Orchard Street and in St Pancras. It is thus Chichester District Council's responsibility to prepare such an action plan here.

We in CDC not only share public concerns, but take our responsibility for health and the environment very seriously.

Since these three AQMAs were declared, and following consultation, a combined air quality action plan was prepared and agreed in December 2008, together with West Sussex County Council. This can be viewed on CDC's website under environmental health. It shows the actions agreed, and where responsibility lies for each of these.

As road traffic is the main (but not the only) source of air pollution, the actions recommended, not surprisingly, revolve around traffic.

Some 35 actions are listed and relate to traffic demand management, to cleaner forms of transport and optimising the use of public transport.

Car-parking arrangements could play a part. Traffic management and highway measures for the city are the responsibility of WSCC, and through a joint working group we are actively engaged with WSCC on this subject.

The A27 is the responsibility of the national highways agency. As ever, government funding is extremely tight.

The highways agency is well aware of our action plan, but its priorities are decided by the Regional Transport Board.

Readers will be aware plans for improvements to the Chichester section of the A27 have existed for a long time, but they will have also seen reference to the threat to the timing of these plans.

The air quality action plan measures have to be seen in conjunction with other environment-related plans

(eg CDC's adopted climate change action plan, its local development framework to be issued in 2010, and WSCC's transport plan).

Clearly, implementation of many of these inter-related measures will take place over time. They will have to compete for available funding, and will have to take into account the government planning policies and housing figures, as well as the need to enable business, and thus employment, in our region and beyond, to flourish.

Finally, there is no application or permission to build 200-plus homes in Donnington. However, there are several policies in place locally and nationally, designed to minimise pollution and emissions from large new developments, including from transport associated with them.

Cllr Pieter Montyn, portfolio holder for the environment

Cllr Heather Caird, portfolio holder for health, Chichester District Council

New flooding disaster just waiting to happen

So the Environment Agency believes a few metres of new ditches and storage ponds will solve Hambrook's flooding problems and enable 23 new houses to be built on The Avenue.

If this is the case, why was this solution not adopted when the adjacent Potters Corner development was built seven years ago? And if it was, why does the area still flood?

Storage ponds are fine during summer storms when they start off empty. Hambrook's problems happen in winter after days of steady rain when the water table is high and storage ponds are already full.

That's when the fun starts with gardens flooding and water entering house drains and public sewers.

Hambrook has suffered from overloaded sewers for years. Residents were hopeful this would be just a bad memory since the laying of a relief sewer in Broad Road two years ago.

But how many are unaware this new sewer only goes as far as Nutbourne, two miles short of the treatment works at Thornham? What happens to the sewage when it reaches this point?

Well, as you cannot get a quart into a pint pot (or the downstream nine-inch diameter pipe); it is emptied, screened but untreated, into the Ham Brook. Within half a mile, the Ham Brook enters Chichester Harbour.

The next time it rains for a couple of days, take a look at the crystal-clear water in the brook upstream of the discharge point alongside Priors Leaze Lane, and downstream as it passes beneath the A259, where it has turned to a filthy, murky grey.

The 23 new houses will displace large volumes of floodwater, causing even more garden flooding in The Avenue and even more water to enter the sewers. By the time it reaches Nutbourne, the floodwater will be nicely mixed with the raw sewage and will be spilled, untreated, into Chichester Harbour.

Watch out all you weekend dinghy sailors!

Neil Burns (a retired drainage engineer), Broad Road, Hambrook

Many Say No posters around the village made it quite clear what we think of the proposals for new homes. These posters were removed, although nobody had felt the need to remove previously Save St Richard's posters.

Hambrook, being outside a settlement boundary and inside the Emsworth and Chichester strategic gap, means 'compelling reasons' must be given before development can be permitted.

The inspector's report deals with local concerns such as surface water flooding, but as the photograph clearly shows, we still have flooded fields and gardens, despite Southern Water's new drainage scheme.

Sustainability? To obtain perishable food, you will need to walk over half-a-mile to the railway or a mile to the A259 bus stop. The alternative is to cycle or own a car.

In all probability, the majority decision will lead to about 40 extra cars exiting the site on to the narrow local road on a blind right-angled bend.

Do we need this development? The issue of whether the release of this land for housing is justified, gives cause for concern in this and every other surrounding village.

I understand Chichester District Council does not need this site to meet its housing stock target – the five-year plan. However, the inspector has suggested CDC's estimate (including Graylingwell) is unrealistic, regarding the developer's figures as more realistic.

In summary, the inspector states: 'My overall conclusion is that, although the proposal conflicts with the strategic settlement and strategic gap policies of the development plan, the lack of a realistic five-year housing supply in Chichester is a compelling circumstance which is sufficient to outweigh this.'

Is this village to suffer as a result of a numerical disagreement between CDC and the planning inspectorate?

P & J Robinson, Hambrook

I am shocked by the granting of planning permission for 23 houses at The Avenue by the government inspector.

I do not understand how one man from Bristol, after a brief inspection of the site, can make such a huge decision on the future of our village.

How is the decision made by Chichester District Council to refuse planning permission for this development so easily reversed by one person who, though quoting the main issues in his report, has ignored them?

Alan Kerr, The Avenue, Hambrook

It amazes one how planning permission on appeal can be granted on an area with obvious flooding problems.

The development has all the hallmarks of a flood disaster waiting to happen.

If this development goes ahead I am sure we will start experiencing sewerage back up at the top end of The Avenue.

When the flooding of the new houses takes place, as I am sure it will do, there will be tears and gnashing of teeth from the new owners, as the fire engine tries to make its way along the congested and narrow avenue to pump them out.

The residents will be saying we told you so. The views of Hambrook residents have once again been ignored.

Don Webb, The Avenue, Hambrook

Here we go again. A government inspector is allowing more inappropriate development with no thought for the village or locals.

Do they not listen to our concerns as residents, look at our evidence or even the council's?

I have lived in Hambrook for 50 years and know the area very well and have been part of the community. The site is not suitable.

Mr H Chalk, Hambrook

What about the signs of health and safety?

Councillor Andrew Smith, in his letter published in the Observer on February 19, claims credit for 'fixing' a road sign.

I noticed he only 'fixed' the less-seriously damaged of the two signs and admits he operated 'without any training on the use of a ladder' although he did appear to have been wearing a high-visibility waistcoat.

I thought councillors were elected to represent their constituents, not to do work that should be carried out by trained, professional and fully-insured public employees.

Were those who 'invited' (his word) Cllr Smith to do this task aware of his training and insurance status? Would they have accepted financial responsibility if an accident had happened to either Cllr Smith or to a member of the public (who might have been injured if the sign had fallen off and struck them), or a motorist who carried out a dangerous manoeuvre because the sign was incorrectly positioned?

I am aware health-and-safety considerations have sometimes been used over zealously, but they are important.

Ben Earnshaw-Mansell, Guilden Road, Chichester

9,000 potholes - how good is that?

Reading last week's Observer, I couldn't fail to notice two items standing out above all others.

One was the fact our road system is described as 'good' despite upwards of 9,000 potholes (craters) needing lasting repairs; the other that despite there being now five empty shops, excluding Woolworths, in Chichester, there will be an increase in parking charges way ahead of the rate of inflation.

No doubt when there is a serious accident caused by potholes, or further shops closing down, the usual politicians' platitudes about 'lessons being learned' and 'moving forward' will be much in evidence, too late for the unfortunate victims.

Dennis Plumb, Coxes Road, Selsey

Artists and artisans right here on our doorstep

As organiser of Open Doors Studio Art Trail, now in its ninth year, I was surprised at the statement by the organisers of the Rare Brand Market that 'there is a lack of artisan shopping in the city' (Observer last week).

There is a large local community of artists/artisans working form their own studios producing wonderful work and all made in this corner of West Sussex.

This year 60-plus artists will be opening the doors of their studios to the public on May 9, 10, 16 and 17. Visitors will see work in progress be able to discuss technique and, if they wish, buy or commission.

Don't forget all artists/artisans live and work in this area and are on your doorstep 365 days a year.

Susan Cutts, organiser, Open Doors Studio Art Trail, Bracklesham

Squeezing in more homes will add to existing problems

Arun District Council, under their Local Development Framework, plans to build 2,500 new homes in Westergate as part of several options to fulfil their housing quota imposed by central government.

This is a minimum target – it could be double that.

There are already about 1,250 households in Eastergate, 900-odd in Barnham and 1,578 in Aldingbourne, covering an area of about four miles from east to west and two miles north to south. That is 3,728 homes already squeezed into our special corner of West Sussex.

There are just enough shops, schools, medical facilities to cope, but with a completely inadequate road and transport system.

Can anyone imagine the problems another 2,500 houses tacked on to the side of Westergate will create?

First, where are the jobs coming from?

Certainly not from local nurseries, shops or services. It will create more commuters by car and train adding to the already-congested road and rail network.

Second, transport. The A27 and A29 are already hopelessly over-crowded with no sign of any bypasses in the near future. Don't tell me building 2,500 new homes with a relief road round Westergate will solve that problem.

The local bus service is a joke, despite valiant efforts by Compass Bus and Stagecoach to relieve the pressure on the roads.

Southern have improved the rail service greatly along the south coast, but the car parks are full to bursting, creating great inconvenience to residents living near railway stations.

Third, where are the residents going to shop? Does it mean building a new supermarket and all the other facilities in Westergate or alternatively driving into Chichester?

Fourth, all our primary and secondary schools are virtually full with no spare capacity.

Fifth, our hospitals and surgeries are already struggling to cope with the existing demand for their services.

If all these jobs and services are to be provided locally, can you imagine the size of the new town, built on greenfield land, too. It will swallow Westergate and Aldingbourne and Norton, from the railway line in the south to the A27 in the north and west nearly as far as Tangmere.

Where is the evidence we need all this new building? Where are the new jobs? Why should we permit our already overcrowded corner of West Sussex to be covered in yet more concrete, just to satisfy some nebulous Whitehall target?

Why do our councils knuckle under to government diktats?

Who knows best the needs and aspirations of local residents?

Don't answer that!

We must stop this ridiculous scheme at all costs. Remember, your protest is worth it.

Michael Hutton, Eastergate

We don't need to place unfair curbs on dogs

Dog owners beware. Arun wants all dogs on the lead in Hotham Park.

Dogs on leads, especially in charge of the many elderly owners, cannot be properly exercised. Dogs need to be able to run around freely.

The occasional unpicked-up poop is not a sufficient reason to spoil the enjoyment of all owners and their dogs, and those who don't pick up probably won't even if their dogs are led.

I'm sorry to say this is a typical council (all councils) attitude in paying more attention to the complaints of a few whingers than to the enjoyment and recreation of the many.

By all means keep dogs on the lead round the boating pond, the new conservation pond, and the children's play area, but for the rest – let them run free.

I live in the park, and I often walk round it, and I've never had or seen a problem.

I urge all dog owners to register their views at www.arun.gov.uk/dogs or write to Arun, otherwise it will slip this through unopposed.

In answer to other whingers of a few weeks ago, in my view the council has done a great job in Hotham Park, in restoring the boating lake from a hole in the ground full of old car tyres and junk, and opening up and landscaping Rainbow's End, which had turned into a jungle.

The works continues. There is lots of new planting, and it's only fair to wait until this matures before passing judgment.

And it was all paid for by the lottery, anyway.

Ian Harris, Hotham Park House, Bognor Regis

I could not believe and cannot believe the council seriously intends to make it illegal for someone to walk more than four dogs at any one time.

I have lived in the western area of Arun District Council for 25 years and have met very few dog handlers walking four or more dogs (and I have should mention I have walked dogs in most of the nooks and crannies at various times of the day).

Is this some kind of vendetta against those who might try to make a living from walking dogs?

If they are being paid to do a job and not declaring their income, it is the Revenue who should be informed, not ADC bylaws.

It isn't the multi-dog walkers who cause poo or behavioural problems and bringing in this particular bylaw will do nothing at all apart from add another silly level of bureaucracy.

There are already sufficient bylaws in place to tackle the poo procreators or dogs not being on leads, but maybe there are not the funds to police the various areas and nooks and crannies or, indeed, at the times of the day and evening when dog walkers take the critters out.

With the apparent policy of not repairing streetlights, West Sussex County Council is not helping those of us who want to pick up and go out for later walks (although, of course, torches are a must).

Of course we need dog-free areas, and responsible dog owners to clean up and keep their dogs under control – but not being allowed to walk four or more dogs?

What next – only 2.2 children? Grow up ADC and ditch this silly idea.

In my experience it is the male of the human species who (1) don't pick up poo (2) walk their dogs off leads and (3) let their dogs get into fights. Shall we ban them from owning dogs?

Norma Hemmings, Hayleys Gardens, Felpham

Can you recall the tractor train?

I am trying to gain information about the history of an old tractor train.

We think it belonged either to a council in Bognor or Butlins holiday camp and was used for ferrying holidaymakers around the town or the holiday camp.

It was then bought by the local Round Table and used for charity galas and fund-raising events, we believe in the 1980s.

The idea is to restore it to its original glory, but it has been painted so many times it is difficult to establish the original colour scheme. We think it was all yellow with red pinstriping.

The registration number is KPO 928, which is a West Sussex number plate.

We would be delighted if any readers remember seeing it trundling around the town, towing two carriages full of smiling holidaymakers. A photograph would be even better!

Trevor Alexander, Ravenscroft, Beamish, County Durham, DH90SJ.

Email: alexandertractors@tesco.net.

Telephone 0191 370 3797

Postal service should remain public

Members from the West Sussex area and across the country gathered in Westminster for a national rally and lobby of parliament urging government to keep the post public. Royal Mail is a profitable public service, with a dedicated long-serving workforce. Why would the government gamble this away

on a unpopular and unproven sell-off, while the debts of the banks can be apparently nationalised?

Ruth Harris, Portsmouth & District Communication Workers Union

Town needs fun bought back now

Regeneration on hold? Not something my wife and I expected to see when we moved here a few years ago; my wife looked forward to seeing the fun put back in Bognor as she remembered from her holidays here.

Three years for St Modwen to recover from this recession? I will believe that when I see it.

And then what? More talks, more plans? And then perhaps we will all be in our grave before anything is done.

As a newcomer to the Bognor area, can I give Arun District Council some ideas on what can be done in the interim period.

Firstly, close The Esplanade to through traffic, perhaps outside the Regis Centre. Use the existing road space for additional parking to attract day-trippers to the town, allowing only emergency vehicles to go east/west. Use the additional space for French markets, farmers' markets, clowns or anything else that attracts people to Bognor.

Secondly, open the High Street to two-way traffic. After all, it was meant to be only a temporary closure in the first place and the shopkeepers would welcome it being open again.

These simple measures, with the additional income from markets and parking, could be self-funding over time. Let's not wait three years, let's do something in Bognor now.

Phil Hitchins, Aldwick

Don't let bigotry rule over Darwin

I beg to differ with Sandra Hawkins' view on David Attenborough's TV programme on the theory of evolution.

The programme was, I felt, interesting and thought-provoking on Charles Darwin's ideas about the origins of life on this planet all those millions of years ago.

I applaud Darwin for daring to speak out and produce his amazing book, despite the opposition of the views of the bigoted, so-called Christians of his time.

To me, it is quite logical everything, including we humans, has evolved over millions of years into what is on this planet today.

In my opinion, even as a church member and Bible reader, the story of creation as given to us in Genesis, is purely allegorical and not to be taken too seriously.

Surely commonsense should tell us that nothing can be

created in one week by anyone, let alone God.

These days we are better educated and, thanks to Charles Darwin, understand so much more about how things have evolved, yet there are still short sighted people unable to give up bigoted and inflexible views.

We have so much to be thankful for and I congratulate David Attenborough for giving us such an interesting programme, the research of which must have been awesome. Brainwashing it was definitely not!

Mrs G Mowatt, Amberley Drive, Bognor Regis

Issue parking tickets - that will stop problem

The state of the Petersfield Road pavement in Midhurst which has been under much discussion, both with the town council and other authorities and in the Observer, is not only unsightly but very dangerous.

When the cars are parked there in the evening and in the daytime, they are not only a hazard to people trying to use the pavement (sometimes there is only a few feet for pedestrians to use) but also to people trying to access the convent.

The view coming out of the convent is completely obscured to the west.

And now cars have started to park on the verge further towards Midhurst, the sight of the road is obscured on that side as well.

Surely the answer is simple.

There are double yellow lines all down the area where these cars are parked and so they are there illegally.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe it is illegal to park within 15ft of a double yellow line – and that includes the area inside the lines.

If the police issued tickets, would that not clear the area and allow repairs to be carried out?

Priscilla Noble-Mathews, Trotton

I was quite angry to read about the 'mud slide' in Midhurst.

I am a resident of Petersfield Road and live opposite St Margaret's Convent Junior School.

I feel this is a really pathetic article. It's a little bit of grass that has turned into mud because of the lack of parking facilities for residents along Petersfield Road.

Why should residents potentially be punished for parking outside their houses?

If it is such a disgrace for people driving into Midhurst, or for new parents to see a slight bit of mud at the side of the road, then why don't St Margaret's allow residents to park in their car park outside school hours??

G Glass, Petersfield Road, Midhurst

To the point

The article on the menace of dog mess left me with the impression it is quite acceptable to allow dogs to foul beaches from October to April.

So the middle-aged lady with the dog without a lead, observed along East Beach in Selsey expertly manoeuvring her dog faeces between her feet, from the sea wall path onto the beach, was obviously perfectly within her rights.

I wish I'd have known that at the time, since I was naive enough to think she was behaving in an irresponsible and antisocial manner. Silly me.

Dee Fraser, East Beach, Selsey

I write in response to the reader's letter of February 12 (Such a paw idea) in which Pets At Home was criticised for selling pet strollers.

Because of popular demand from our customers, we have been selling pet strollers in our stores over the past 18 months.

Here in the UK there is an increasing incidence of obesity in pets, meaning some dogs are not able to walk distances to the nearest park or safe place to exercise.

Additionally, pets now live longer (thanks to improved nutrition and healthcare) and this means there are large numbers of older pets with decreased mobility, or indeed if they are recuperating from illness or surgery.

The stroller is specifically designed for animals such as these and helps to ensure all pets can get the exercise they need to keep healthy.

Nigel Mason, manager, Pets At Home, Chichester

The variable flush device mentioned last week (Observer letters) will no doubt be a consideration to those of us who regret the discharge of ten litres of water every time we use the toilet.

However, the less fastidious of us may care consider the Bermudian saying I heard some years ago:

If it's yellow let it mellow.

If it's brown flush it down.

Jim Ayling, Chichester

A petition to keep the conventional 100-watt British electric light bulb has been started on the prime minister's web site at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/britishlightbulb for anyone to sign. This is an opportunity for the public to object to the proposed light bulb ban.

FE Sharpe, Plymouth

I've just read the story about Oliver Skeggs, the young lad sentenced to 13 years in prison for battering a tramp.

I think the judge who gave this young thug a lighter sentence needs to be released from the justice service himself, because it would seem he has no idea about the terms of punishment that should be handed out.

This is not punishment.

It's an excuse for every kid to go out and commit crime and when they do get punished for it, what's going to happen? They are going to come up with some sort of silly excuse like this one that will either release them from the powers of punishment or will lighten their sentence.

How angry does this make you?

What is this world doing to itself? What is this world coming to?

'Finding God'. What excuse is that? I'm sure the poor victim's family would agree with me.

Russ Barrett, Chichester

In response to the article 'Plastic is far from fantastic' of February 19, I can assure readers the planning application for new nameplates at 11, North Pallant was very carefully considered and is indeed for the real thing – definitely not for plastic, as mistakenly alleged by the Chichester Society in its recent planning objection.

Fantastic plastic or marvellous metal? Clearly there are strong views, but in this case the truth is out there on the planning website for all to see.

But let's keep this in perspective. We live in modern times and the historic faade of No 11 is already disfigured by a truly hideous and ill-advised eyesore. An 8ft-high parking sign!

I rest my case.

David Jump, principal, Jump & Co Solicitors, North Pallant, Chichester

Chichester, Bognor Regis and District Cats Protection are organising a charity awareness day on Sunday, June 7 at the Selsey Centre, Manor Road, Selsey.

Local branches of charities and organisations are invited to book for this day, when they will be able to display information about their work and ask for volunteers, supporters and sponsors.

The event will be open to the public, who will be able to find out information about each charity.

Several local charities have already booked their spaces, but there are still some available.

For further details and a booking form, please contact me on 01243 673121 or on rosemariecroucher@hotmail.com

Rosemarie Croucher, Chichester, Bognor Regis & District Cats Protection, East Drive, Bracklesham Bay

I read the article about the parking of students' cars on the Glenwood estate.

It doesn't just affect the Glenwood estate – it's the same in several roads surrounding the university campus.

I live in Hotham Gardens and on several occasions I have come home from work and cars have been parked on a blind corner of Northcliffe Road. Motorists have to drive on the wrong side of the road and there have been several near-misses.

There are a lot of young children on these estates and one day a child will be knocked over.

Yellow lines are a good idea, but they need to be painted on more roads than just the Glenwood estate.

Adequate parking is needed for the students, and someone needs to resolve this.

S Sampson, Hotham Gardens, Bognor Regis

Can someone please tell me why nine out of ten cars on the roads in Bognor don't seem to be fitted with indicators?

Is the use of indicators not included in local driving tests?

Other motorists and even those dreaded pedestrians deserve to know where you are going!

Peter Day, Gilwynes Court, Aldwick

What an excellent show the Rainbow Production put on, as usual.

The singing and dancing by both adults and young children was a joy.

M and P Hird, Bognor Regis

Arun council's proposals to make even more dog controls, and limiting the number of dogs anyone can exercise, is an attempt to operate a police-type state controlled by the council and their dog wardens.

We need more powers to control those who already abuse them.

Mr RA West, Felpham

I read with interest the article from Tony Dixon in the Bognor Regis Observer.

I would like to ask him if he is so keen on building new homes for the next generation, why is he so against the new homes being built at Aldingbourne?

He told the truth about how much brownfield land is at Ford compared to greenfield. He makes it sound as though Ford is all brownfield.

If the eco-town was to come to Ford, that would be Ford gone for ever.

Mr G Edwards, Douglas Close, Ford

With regards the turning-down of Asda's planning application and the lack of interest in the regeneration of Bognor's town centre, Arun District Council would appear to take the phrase reputed to have been said by King George V 'Bugger Bognor' and adapted it to 'Let's Bugger Up Bognor'.

JJ Frame, Felpham

As a motorist, (cyclist and walker in clement weather) I journey around Aldwick, Rose Green and Felpham regularly.

To say potholes are posing a danger is an understatement – I dodge them frequently.

Most of us pay council tax, road tax and have fully-insured vehicles.

I do not think my insurance company are likely to consider a claim for new car wheels, tyres, suspension, etc caused by road damage.

Maxine Peach, South Avenue, Aldwick

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP

• Email to a friend
• Print this page