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| George Osborne Budget Statement 3rd December. |
The budget statement is due on
the 3rd of December and I am writing this article in early November.
This statement will be
important to Arundel in two aspects, firstly and very importantly we should
hear regarding investment for flood defences.
The LTRAS Phase 1, Part 1 scheme (Lower Tidal
River Arun Strategy) is to repair and future proof Arundel’s flood defences,
this scheme will cost approximately £600k,
The Government has not yet agreed the scheme, and its progress
will depend on the content of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 3
December. The investment is firmly
supported by the Environment Agency, West Sussex County Council, Arun District
and Arundel Town Council, we do not yet have a formal commitment from Arun, but
I know from discussions with officers that this should not be an issue.
The Environment Agency is expected to commit £280k; the balance
of £320k has so far been
underwritten/guaranteed by WSCC in order to get the proposal onto the list of
approved schemes. In support of this,
Arundel Town Council has already guaranteed (and made arrangements to put
aside) £64k (two tenths), formal agreement will follow from Arun once we get
the Chancellors commitment, this all bodes well for Arundel’s flood defences.
The second announcement will be about the A27 and could include a
commitment on money for an Arundel Bypass, As you know I am in favour of the
Pink Blue route or Option A, But this if it is confirmed will be the first step
in a very long journey.
If the Chancellor does put the money aside (and it’s a big if),
then it is expected that any scheme will be subject to a full public enquiry,
an Environmental Impact assessment, where issues like the design (which be of
the highest level), environmental mitigation, (tree planting etc) and
sustainable transport mitigation will all be discussed and fed in to the
process.
We need a new Cycle way running parallel to Ford Road to Ford
Station and we need a new free car park at Ford where there is space on the
south side and already a hardcore area for maintenance. The new cycle way from Arundel Station
(under the railway and coming out by the bus stop should be completed some time
this winter.
We also need the Arundel Chord, which is a rail link that will
allow trains to travel down the Arun Valley line and turn left to go east to
Brighton
All this will balance impact of a by-pass, when we now see the
Newbury Bypass, I wonder why there was so much fuss 20 years ago, If the Bypass
does get the go ahead then I think in 20 years we may see this in a similar way.
Until next Month
Paul Dendle is the Arundel Ward & Cabinet member on Arun
District Council, his email address is pauldendle@aol.com
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