News Date: Tuesday 24th January 2006
Councillor comes up trumps in Lancing
Grinstead Lane railway bridge now has a new safety fence thanks to the intervention of Mash Barn Conservative councillor Ann Bridges.
A problem arose when West Sussex County Council removed the existing iron railings to install crash barriers to prevent vehicles going down the embankment onto the railway lines. As a result of the change, the barrier was low enough to allow children to climb onto it and onto the parapet of the bridge. This also exposed a very steep drop at the side of the bridge down to the railway line.
Worried parents of children who walk over the bridge to Freshbrook and Thornberry Schools contacted Councillor Bridges. With the support of Adur MP Tim Loughton, Cllr Bridges lobbied the County Council with her concerns and it was agreed that temporary barriers would be in place before the children returned to school. Subsequently Councillor Bridges has secured improved permanent fencing to make the bridge safe again.
Councillor Bridges has also successfully lobbied Adur Council to reverse a decision which would have seen residents off Grinstead Lane pay for land drainage ditches in the strategic gap adjoining their gardens. Ann was unhappy that many elderly and disabled residents were being asked to tackle a problem not of their own making and the Council have now agreed to continue to undertake the work themselves this year and will be looking at making fairer alternative arrangements for future years.
Tim Loughton commented:
"Ann Bridges has shown herself to be an assiduous campaigner on behalf of her constituents and is establishing quite a track record of getting things done for local people. We are lucky to have her in Lancing"
Tim Loughton MP , 2006
