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We all know that Midhurst is back open and car parks are currently free, but businesses are still reporting significant drops in revenues. Please help us bring some life back into the town by shopping local and supporting our cafes and restaurants during this challenging time for the town.
Midhurst Fire Update – Business Open as Usual
Following last week’s fire in The Angel Inn and neighbouring buildings in Midhurst, the majority of businesses along North Street which were not directly impacted by the fire have now re-opened and are fully accessible for pedestrians.
All carparks remain open and fully accessible to those wishing to visit the town centre with Chichester District Council offering free parking in all Midhurst carparks until the end of 16 April to support local business and residents.
The A286 North Street remains closed to vehicles to ensure public safety as the buildings are unsafe. All emergency service partners are aware of the closure and have plans in place to ensure that they are able to respond to an emergency incident.
A number of agencies met with the various representatives acting for the owners of the buildings on Thursday 23 March, including a Structural Engineer. We are now waiting for the report to come back from the Structural Engineer so that a decision on the most appropriate course of action can be taken. An update will be issued as soon as it is possible to do so.
A diversion has been organised with related signage at key locations. We are aware that local road users and those following Sat Nav may not be using the official diversion route, unfortunately this is unavoidable as they are entitled to use public highways.
To ease congestion, a temporary one-way restriction and diversion route will be placed at the junction of Eastshaw Lane and Brambling Lane. The restriction, which will prevent vehicles from entering Eastshaw Lane and travelling Eastbound along Hollist Lane, will be picked up by Google Maps and Sat Navs which should result in fewer motorists attempting to use this as an alternative diversion route.
We will monitor the success of this temporary restriction through site visits and public feedback and will make amendments if needed.
We are aware that local roads are seeing significantly higher volumes of traffic than usual due to the diversion. We are increasing our targeted inspections and we are also regularly reviewing works in the area to reduce disruption as much as possible. We will try and be as sympathetic as possible with any essential traffic management to make the roads safe, however the current conditions are very challenging and the roads must be safe for the public. We will look at larger repairs / schemes once the main road is open again.
We will continue to keep businesses and residents closely updated on this.
Here is an update issued by WSCC today.
Midhurst Fire Update – Businesses Open as Usual – West Sussex County Council
Signage and diversion route
We understand that additional and improved signage will be in place imminently to try to warn people of the ongoing closure of North Street from further afield, as well as on the local roads.
Local roads continue to be heavily used and are at times extremely congested. If you have to use local lanes please be aware that some are also being used by pedestrians and other drivers may be less familiar with the lanes than local residents.
Useful updates continue to be posted regularly on the websites and social media of WSCC, CDC, Midhurst Town Council, WSCC Highways and our local County Councillor, Tom Richardson.
For latest information about the closure of North Street and affected businesses, please check the following websites and social media:
West Sussex County Council – News – West Sussex County Council
Chichester District Council website – News: Chichester District Council
You can also follow Chichester District council. WSCC and WSCC Highways on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – they will post updates when they have them.
https://www.facebook.com/wsfrs
We have been asked by the team co-ordinating efforts to help those evacuated from The Angel to request that no more clothing donations are taken to the Old Library in Knockhundred Row. What they are still in need of are old suitcases which they can use to distribute items, assorted toiletries, nappies and phone chargers.
If you can donate any of the above please only take to the Old Library today, after which it will be distributed. Please do not drop off at The Grange.
Thank you.
We are very pleased to be able to confirm that on 9 February 2023 the South Downs National Park Authority adopted the Easebourne Parish Design Statement as a Supplementary Planning Document (SDP).
This document sets out a framework of guidelines and principals relating to design matters against which future planning applications will be assessed. The Parish Council would like to thank the volunteers who worked so hard on this project over the last 3 years: without their persistence and determined endeavours, nothing would have been achieved.
You can download the adopted document here:
