Another year, another set of driving conditions locally. The freezing weather after so much rain has raised the threat of remaining surface water turning to ice. Constituents will remember how last year part of the A27 east of Lancing Manor was closed because heavy rain washed away newly scattered grit and then froze, causing accidents.
Residents raised with me the potential for a repeat scenario, and I have been dealing with National Highways who have instituted an enhanced gritting routine. They are also working with the New Monks Farm contractors about completing the drainage enhancements which were installed after the substantial flooding which closed the road over 10 years ago. It didn’t help that the lights at the Busticle Lane junction also failed on Monday and a replacement part was not immediately available but at least National Highways responded in hours and hopefully the work should now be completed.
Further west the longer-term gas pipe replacement work in Broadwater Road and Sompting Avenue which is likely to cause significant disruption started on Monday. I wrote up details of my conversations with SGN in my newsletter before Christmas and weekly updates will be issued, and this week I will be making my first site visit to check that all is being down to minimise the impact on motorists.
This year my traditional Christmas Eve visit to the maternity unit at Worthing Hospital had to take place just after Christmas, but the Mayor and I still got to see meet some Christmas babies and their proud parents, supported by excellent staff. We were also taken round the newly refurbished cancer outpatient facility and the innovative Burlington Ward where patients medically fit for discharge but lacking support at home to facilitate it are given stepdown care in a more homely environment. It shows however that we still have much to do to achieve a truly joined up health and care service where elderly patients especially can move on from hospital quickly and safely.
As always, despite all the post pandemic challenges we are lucky Worthing Hospital remains one of the best in the country.
