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Charity & Community
Sussex Snippets Local charity, West Sussex Mediation Service, are celebrating their 20th anniversary. The charity helps people suffering conflicts in their lives find lasting solutions to their problems and specialises in resolving neighbour disputes and conflicts within families. Most services are free of charge, so fundraising is important. This year they are holding an ‘Auction of Promises’. This is where individuals, or businesses can make a pledge of an item of value, an experience, or their skill or talent for an hour or two. 0300 200 0025 or email info@wsms.org.uk West Sussex Connect to Support have updated their website bringing together lots of information about • ways to remain independent at home • equipment to help you around your home • advice on improving your health and wellbeing • ideas for things to do locally • support for carers www.westsussexconnecttosupport.org. For help using the website, call Adults’ CarePoint on 01243 642121 or email socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk Sussex Police & Crime Panel members have backed the decision to increase the police precept by £10 per year (for an average Band D property). 66% of snap poll respondents supported the increase.
New group for HGV action Dear Editor. According to the Office of National Statistics and the British Lung Foundation, air pollution causes 64000 deaths a year in England and Wales; more than 12% of the total due to all causes. About 10% of the population currently receive treatment for long-term respiratory illness and, although air pollution is not the sole cause, it is the major and increasing one. It is estimated that the cost to the NHS is £500 per year on average for every inhabitant of the UK. Storrington has the worst air pollution in the Southeast of England. Even if the NOx emissions at Manley’s Hill and School Hill are brought below the 40microgram per cubic metre target, politicians may be satisfied, but Storrington will probably still hold that terrible record. EU and national target levels for pollutants were devised many years ago and are significantly higher than W.H.O. 2005 target levels. In recent times the effect of PM2.5 on health has been of steadily increasing concern. There are no completely safe levels of pollution, other than zero, and target levels should be revised downward to reflect new medical knowledge. 25 to 30% of the pollution in the village is caused by transits of HGVs. As long ago as 2008 WSCC consulted with the Road Traffic Association and published a
map of Advisory Lorry Routes (map can be viewed online at: www.westsussex.gov.uk/media/1980/ alr_map_web.pdf). None of those routes pass through Storrington. Large numbers of HGVs are using the Storrington rat-run between Fontwell and Washington in preference to the A27, A280 and A24. A significant proportion of these vehicles are owned by only a few haulage companies. The cost-saving to those companies is tiny, compared to the negative effects of their policy on the health of residents and workers in Storrington and the ongoing costs they are imposing on the NHS and Social Services.
Central and local government have failed us by not providing effective solutions. We cannot waste another decade. I propose setting up a group, tentatively called STAG (Storrington Traffic Action Group), with the sole purpose of encouraging the worst of these polluters to use the advisory routes and to publicly commit to that policy. If they persist in using the Storrington rat-run then STAG will apply an escalating campaign to shame them into compliance, using strictly legal means, including roadside demonstrations. Planning of this strategy is well-advanced. If you wish to join this group and are available for a few hours on occasional weekdays please send a brief email to stag20@protonmail.com. If you have relevant knowledge or skills please mention them. Dave Angel, by email.
