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Lewes District Council seeks views on air quality plan

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People are being invited to have their say on a draft plan that outlines council proposals to improve air quality across Lewes district over the next four years.

Cllr O'Brien news image

Actions in the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) cover measures that cover the entire district with a specific focus on central Newhaven and Lewes town centres, which are designated Air Quality Management Areas due to traffic pollution.Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Climate, Nature and Food Systems, said: “Improving air quality is one of our key priorities and this draft plan contains tangible steps to protect the health of our residents and create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.”

It is estimated that the costs of air pollution in England to health and social care services could reach between £5.3 and 18.6 billion between 2018 and 2035.

Air pollution is associated with a number of adverse health impacts and is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions.

The draft AQAP focuses on five key themes: alternatives to private vehicle use; promoting travel alternatives; public information; transport planning and infrastructure; and traffic management.

Projects delivered under previous action plans include the Beddingham Crossing improvements, the Lewes Town Centre 20mph zone, the Living Cliffe pedestrian zone in Cliffe High Street, and improved cycling facilities across the district.

Residents, businesses and stakeholders are encouraged to read the draft Air Quality Action Plan at lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/AQAPconsultation and provide feedback through an online survey.

The consultation launched today (March 21) will run until 5pm on Friday 15 May 2025.

Councillor O’Brien added: “This is a partnership exercise, and a range of organisations have suggested measures they can take for the draft plan, but it is crucial that we hear from our community to ensure that the plan reflects local needs and priorities. I encourage everyone to participate in the consultation and help improve the future of air quality in our district.”

Following a review of feedback given during the consultation, the AQAP is expected to be adopted from summer 2025.

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Upcoming works, The Broyle, Ringmer

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Message from East Sussex Highways – 27th March 2025

IMPORTANT ROADWORKS INFORMATION
The Broyle, Ringmer

Dear Resident / Business owner,

Balfour Beatty is working in partnership with East Sussex County Council to manage the highways service across East Sussex. As part of this, we will be carrying out carriageway repairs on The Broyle, Ringmer.

When do they start?
Work will be carried out on Monday 14 April 2025 and Tuesday 15 April 2025 between 8pm and 6am.

We will inform you of any changes to the dates or times via advanced warning signs on site.

What are we doing?
The works involve targeted carriageway patch repairs to improve the overall carriageway condition.

How will this impact highway users?
The team will be working outside ‘Ash House’.

Access to the road will be restricted for residents for the duration of works. A diversion will be in place via B2124, A22, B2912 & vice versa.

For access, please approach the closure point and speak to the site team. This is for access only and there will be no through route. There may be a short delay while we make it safe for you to pass, and your vehicle will be escorted by site marshals. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.

Information for residents and businesses
Parking: If required, we will put out ‘no parking’ signs and cones on the site to advise where parking is restricted. Please avoid parking in these locations as it will delay our works.

Weather: All of these works are subject to favourable weather conditions, for example heavy rain may affect the progress of the works.

Properties close to the carriageway may notice some noise, flashing lights, or reversing sirens. We will do our utmost to keep this to a minimum.

We would like to take this opportunity to apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption this work may cause, however this forms part of our continuing improvement for the East Sussex highway network. Should you have any concerns regarding these works, you can contact us at eshcomms@balfourbeatty.com

For information on roadworks and journey planning, visit One.Network. Please follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @esccroads or Facebook @EastSussexHighways for updates. If you would like to know more about East Sussex Highways and what we do, please visit our website www.eastsussexhighways.com.

Thank you,

East Sussex Highways

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Have your say – Consultation on Climate Change impact

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East Sussex County Council’s Public Health team want to hear from residents who live in East Sussex on your views on how climate change impacts you. They have a climate and health survey open until 25 April. The full link is here: https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/public-health/climate-and-health Please complete the survey and share it with your contacts and networks.

They want to hear about the effects of extreme weather, natural disasters, or environmental problems on your wellbeing. In 2023 the government reported the latest evidence showing the health effects of climate change in the UK. They’d like to assess how climate change is affecting the health outcomes of people specifically in East Sussex.

Why your view matters

The assessment will support them to develop plans for protecting people’s health and wellbeing in the future. Learning about your experience of any climate change issues in your area, and the impact these have on you will inform their assessment.

Examples of climate issues include:

  • Drought
  • Wildfires
  • Flooding and erosion
  • Extreme temperatures (e.g., heatwaves and extreme cold)
  • Strength of sun exposure and ultraviolet rays
  • Air quality and pollution
  • Spread of disease and infections
  • Taking part

There are just 7 questions and the survey takes roughly five minutes to complete. You can use the ‘Save and come back later…’ button at the end of each page if you don’t want to complete the survey all in one go. A summary of the survey is given in the ‘Take a look at the survey topics before you start:’ section near the bottom of this page. If you need support to take part or need the survey printed and posted to you, in large print or on coloured paper, or in another format please get in touch using the contact details provided.

Next steps

The results of the survey will inform the development of the East Sussex Climate Change Health Impact Assessment. A report about the assessment will be made available at the end of the year on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) website.

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Kings Academy Grant Funding

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We were pleased to have supported Kings Academy’s project in conjunction with the Ouse and Adur River Trust to install rain-planters around their site to collect rainwater and help prevent surface water flooding. You can read the full report here: POST PROJECT REPORT Storing the Storm!

South Downs Nation Park Authority- Local Plan

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SDNPA’s latest press release on their  Local Plan review can be found by clicking on this link: Local Plan Review_FINAL

Roadworks map

Upcoming Roadworks

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Balfour Beatty have informed us of upcoming carriageway works on B2192, Ringmer
These works are being carried out between 28 February – 1 March 2025. There may be delays between 8pm-6am.
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Forestry Commission – Invasive Spruce Bark Beetle Awareness

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The Forestry Commission is working on the eradication response to the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, which is an invasive and regulated pest in England.

Ips typographus targets weakened or damaged spruce trees, and storm events like we’re experiencing this winter which can create an  ideal habitat. It is being blown over from outbreaks in Europe and, if left unchecked, it could potentially build in numbers and would be devastating to the country’s timber industry. The Forestry Commission is therefore advising proactive management of spruce to remove potential habitat and risk of infestation.

The Forestry Commission is also encouraging everyone in the Proactive Spruce Removal Area to be vigilant for windblown, snapped, damaged and stressed spruce trees, and to submit a TreeAlert report for anything of concern or email ips.t@forestrycommission.gov.uk. This could be landowners, those directly involved with managing spruce (e.g. foresters, tree surgeons, Christmas tree growers), or members of the public who use spruce woodlands recreationally (e.g. dog walkers, ramblers).

Additional info can be found via the GOV.uk Ips typographus page

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ESCC media release re Devolution in East Sussex

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New powers and investment:
How East Sussex could benefit from devolution

A message from Keith Glazier

“You may have seen that the government has agreed a plan to transfer more powers and funding to people in Sussex: a change known as devolution.

“The government wants more decisions to be taken locally – on things like large transport projects, planning housing, and economic growth. Some of the funding for these will also be controlled locally.

“In charge of those new powers and money would be a combined authority for the whole of Sussex. This new body would be made up of a mayor to be elected by you in May 2026 and representatives from East Sussex County Council and our neighbours in West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

“As leader of East Sussex County Council, I support this opportunity. I believe it will give you (and our neighbours) a bigger say on decisions which are made at the moment in Westminster. As well as money to fund them.

“Local councils in East Sussex will continue to provide almost all of your day-to-day services and will work closely with a mayor and combined authority on the largest issues which affect all of Sussex.

“This opportunity will bring some other changes. One is that the government has decided to postpone county council elections due in May in places where devolution is planned, including in East Sussex.

“This will allow work to prepare for the election of a Sussex mayor in 2026 and avoids spending more than £1.5 million of public money this year.

“In future the government also plans for you to be served by just one council (known as ‘unitary government’) rather than the present two-tier system of East Sussex County Council and a borough or district council (Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother or Wealden).

“Discussions about how to arrange this are continuing and we will keep you updated.

“Right now, this does not mean any changes to your services. I can assure you that we’re working harder than ever to try and meet your needs, even in this toughest of financial times.

“The government has begun a public consultation on its plans for devolution and you can give your views from now until 13 April.”

GIve your views on devolution
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Neighbourhood Plan Review Survey

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Our survey remains open for your views on the future of the village. If you would like to complete the survey please visit https://ringmerparishcouncil.gov.uk/your-council/neighbourhood-plan/nhp-review

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ESCC RIGHTS OF WAY ACCESS PLAN REVIEW

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East Sussex County Council wants your views before drafting the new Rights of Way Access Plan so that it reflects local priorities and what you think is important.
The County Council is responsible for around 2,000 miles (3218 km) of public rights of way. These paths are important for enjoying and exploring, for travelling to work or school and for health and wellbeing.
If you would like to respond to their consultation you can do so by clicking the link below:
If you would like a paper copy of the consultation document for response, please contact the office on 01273 813242 to arrange a time to collect one.