Billingshurst Parish Council Billingshurst Community & Conference Centre Roman Way, Billingshurst, RH14 9QW
Large Scale Forestry Works to Trees in Daux and Rosier Woods Ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) is having a massive impact on the ash tree stock in West Sussex – the second most wooded county in the country. Much of the regenerative stock within Daux and Rosier Woods is ash and in order to attempt to reduce the spread of the disease, although it may already be too late, works will begin to remove dead/dying trees in August/September, the Parish Council has been informed. Although almost the entire area is subject to Tree Preservation Order TPO/0850, no application for works is required in this instance as these works can be legally carried out under S.14 of the Town & County Planning (Tree Preservation) (England) Regulations (2012). Ash dieback is predicted to lead to the loss of 90% of forest ash and 60-80% on our roadsides. The impact is ten times larger than Dutch Elm Disease. Landowners concerned about ash trees on their land, particularly where those woodlands have public access or are adjacent to the public highway, can find further information at www.forestry.gov.uk/ashdieback.
Bypass bridge Lighting Project West Sussex County Council plan to install lighting across the pedestrian bridge spanning Billingshurst bypass. The works will be undertaken by SSE Contracting and are currently planned for this autumn and should be completed in time for the Jubilee Fields Fireworks Display in mid-October. The bridge and some access paths will need to be closed between 17th to 23rd September between 0930 to 1530, meaning that early morning and late afternoon onwards this route should still be available for use; although extra care will be required as footways could have temporary surfaces or be narrowed by the presence of safety fencing. These closure times should be good news for local residents as the planned closures are less than was originally thought to be needed. The project will also include a large scale cutback of vegetation along the pathway borders leading down the path from the bypass into Jubilee Fields.
Installing power to both sides of the bridge will require a trench across the A29. The plan is to trench across the A29, using two-way lights, off peak only. This starts 10th September and will be completed by 14th September.
Lights on in West Sussex If you are aware of footway or street lighting which isn’t working, please report it to SSE Enterprise Lighting via their ‘Lights On In West Sussex’ website www.lightsoninwestsussex. co.uk or by telephoning their Customer Service Team on 0800 048 2435. You will need the column number of the faulty light and the road name. This is an excellent service and easily accessible for all residents. Upcoming Meetings (September) 5th: Full Council/Trustees (to be held at Adversane Hall) 6th: Planning & Environment Committee TBC: Neighbourhood Plan Working Party 19th: Property Committee 26th: Billingshurst Centre and F&GP Committees
www.billingshurst.gov.uk Email: council@billingshurst.gov.uk 01403 782555 / twitter@BillingshurstPC
Billingshurst Parish Council
@BillingshurstPC