PRESS RELEASE FROM WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

The fire-hit Westhampnett Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS) will be open for residents to dispose of their green waste only from Thursday (18 April).

A blaze broke out in the main building at the centre involving more than 500 tonnes of household waste on 2 April and was extinguished on 9 April. However, the area where green waste is deposited was unaffected by the fire, enabling Viridor to re-open this part of the site.

Steve Read, the county council’s Director of Environment and Public Protection, said: “I’m pleased we will be able to offer residents this green waste disposal facility from Thursday and would like to thank everyone again for their patience and cooperation at this difficult time.

“Safety has to be our top priority and a structural engineer visited the site on Friday (12 April) to assess the damage to the main building there – the waste transfer station – and we await the outcome of this initial inspection.

“Until the extent of the damage to the building and concrete surround is known, we do not know which other parts of the site have been affected, and will therefore require works.

“We have to ensure it’s safe for both staff and the public, as well as ensuring compliance with all legislation and permits to allow the site to open.

“Once this is known, we will work with Viridor to develop a long-term plan for rebuilding the site.”

From Thursday, the Westhampnett site will be open for the disposal of green waste only, seven days a week from 9am-6pm.

Residents needing to dispose of other materials are advised to visit Bognor or Littlehampton HWRSs. Bognor and Littlehampton will remain open seven days a week until further notice. Please note these sites do NOT accept trailers or over-height vehicles (2.2m height restriction). Also, these sites do NOT accept plasterboard or asbestos.

The nearest trailer and over-height facility is Worthing HWRS or an alternative HWRS which accepts trailers is Billingshurst HWRS.

The alternate weekly (Thursday) service at the Witterings and Selsey is available and this service will accept trailers with the relevant permit.

HWRSs that accept asbestos are Burgess Hill, Crawley and Worthing. HWRSs that accept plasterboard are Billingshurst, Burgess Hill, Crawley, Horsham, Shoreham and Worthing.

Please see our website http://www.recycleforwestsussex.org/recycling-sites/ 
for further details and updates.

CHICHESTER                                     Thursday 23 May

Short AGM followed by an Illustrated Talk by Sue Watson on ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ to the RSPB Chichester Local Group at The Pallant Suite, Masonic Hall, South Pallant, Chichester at 7.30 pm.

Entrance members £2-50/visitors £5-00                01243 262833                   wheelchair access

EARNLEY                                           Saturday 25 May

Bird Walk on west side of Medmerry with Rob Yarham of the Chichester Local Group from 10.00 am until early afternoon. Meet at end of Clappers Lane, Grid Ref: SZ817968 at 10.00 am                          01243 262833

Preventing Falls

We’re hosting a free Slipper Swap throughout the month of March in our bid to help reduce the number of falls and serious injuries.

Residents who feel they are at risk of falling are being invited to trade in their old slippers for a brand new pair, free of charge.

Ill-fitting slippers, or those which are beyond their best, pose a real risk of causing a nasty fall. Anyone who feels they may be at risk of falling is invited to come along to their local event where they will be able to find out more information on how to keep themselves safe.

These events have been organised to coincide with activities that are being held in West Sussex libraries throughout March, in support of Wellbeing Month.

There has already been a lot of interest in this new initiative and we are actively looking at more ways to reach other communities. 

In addition, we’re also encouraging residents to try out our simple ‘Super Six’ exercises to stay steady, reduce falls and prevent serious injury.  

Further information can be found on our website.

CHICHESTER                       Tuesday 26 March

Illustrated Talks by Clare Blencowe on the ‘Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre’ to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Friends Meeting House, Priory Road, Chichester at 7.30 pm

Entrance members £3-00/visitors £4                        01243 262833                    wheelchair access