West Sussex County Council Post-16 Transport Consultation
Added: 20th April 2020
West Sussex County Council asks for views each year about its Post-16 Transport Policy Statement. This outlines the help and information that is available to 16-19s from transport operators and the Council and the details and link to the consultation are below. The policy sets out the help that is available through the council, schools, colleges and transport operators for young people of sixth-form age in and those who are 19+ with an Education Health and Care Plan to get to school/college.
This year the consultation also includes a proposal to stop a rail scheme now that a new national scheme is being widely used by sixth-form age students. The Sussex Student Card, run by West Sussex County Council in partnership with East Sussex and Brighton & Hove councils and Southern Rail, offers a 34% discount on rail travel for further education students. Since the Department for Transport launched its own card offering 50% discount on rail travel for 16 to 17 year olds, the number of applications for the Sussex Student card have dropped by 94 per cent.
This year in particular the Council is asking for the public’s view on any impact that discontinuing its rail scheme would have.
Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Our Sussex Student Card had been popular but we are finding that most are using the 16-17 card and enjoy more of a saving.
“But we appreciate that everyone’s circumstances vary and we are keen to understand the impact of any decision we make, so I encourage those who are already using either card, or those might use it in future to give us their views.”
While the level of discount available with the 16-17 Railcard varies depending on individual circumstances, such as date of birth and length of course, it is estimated that most young people will save more than if they used the Sussex Student card.
The consultation is now open and available online here and runs until 15 May 2020. All responses will be considered before the council’s Post 16 Transport Policy statement is published at the end of May. If you wish to reply on behalf of your organisation you can also email the address below.
Yours sincerely,
Post-16 Transport Team
Tel: 03302223588
The Grange, 2nd Floor, County Hall, Chichester. PO19 1RG
Email: Post16Travel@westsussex.gov.uk Web: www.westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex County Council Post-16 Transport Consultation
Added: 20th April 2020
West Sussex County Council asks for views each year about its Post-16 Transport Policy Statement. This outlines the help and information that is available to 16-19s from transport operators and the Council and the details and link to the consultation are below. The policy sets out the help that is available through the council, schools, colleges and transport operators for young people of sixth-form age in and those who are 19+ with an Education Health and Care Plan to get to school/college.
This year the consultation also includes a proposal to stop a rail scheme now that a new national scheme is being widely used by sixth-form age students. The Sussex Student Card, run by West Sussex County Council in partnership with East Sussex and Brighton & Hove councils and Southern Rail, offers a 34% discount on rail travel for further education students. Since the Department for Transport launched its own card offering 50% discount on rail travel for 16 to 17 year olds, the number of applications for the Sussex Student card have dropped by 94 per cent.
This year in particular the Council is asking for the public’s view on any impact that discontinuing its rail scheme would have.
Nigel Jupp, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Our Sussex Student Card had been popular but we are finding that most are using the 16-17 card and enjoy more of a saving.
“But we appreciate that everyone’s circumstances vary and we are keen to understand the impact of any decision we make, so I encourage those who are already using either card, or those might use it in future to give us their views.”
While the level of discount available with the 16-17 Railcard varies depending on individual circumstances, such as date of birth and length of course, it is estimated that most young people will save more than if they used the Sussex Student card.
The consultation is now open and available online here and runs until 15 May 2020. All responses will be considered before the council’s Post 16 Transport Policy statement is published at the end of May. If you wish to reply on behalf of your organisation you can also email the address below.
Yours sincerely,
Post-16 Transport Team
Tel: 03302223588
The Grange, 2nd Floor, County Hall, Chichester. PO19 1RG
Email: Post16Travel@westsussex.gov.uk Web: www.westsussex.gov.uk
White Bridge Link
Latest News (October 2023)
The footbridge over the River Adur just north of Bramber Bridge was closed in late August, after a safety inspection by West Sussex County Council. Known as the White Bridge, the bridge is a key connecting route for walkers. So its closure has been a big concern and inconvenience for everyone who uses it, especially children getting to and from school.
It has also been a setback for the White Bridge Link project, which was well down the track in developing plans to upgrade the path on each side of the bridge to create a new, improved, all-weather route between Steyning, Bramber and Upper Beeding suitable for cyclists, walkers and mobility vehicles.
The White Bridge Link Working Party has been keeping close tabs on what’s been happening since. It has been liaising with the three local Parish Councils, Horsham District Council and the County Council, to stress the importance of the bridge to the local community and underline the urgency of getting it back in action. Here’s an update on the story so far and what the future looks like.
Why the Bridge was closed
The bridge is inspected periodically by WSCC to check for wear and tear. On a recent inspection this summer, extensive corrosion was discovered on the steel trusses that form the main framework of the bridge, and on the outriggers that support the large gas and water pipes attached on each side. In addition, cracks were observed in the concrete foundations that the bridge sits on.
Built in 1903, the bridge is clearly showing it’s age. The County Council took the difficult decision that it had to be closed immediately to avoid safety risks. They have concluded that it cannot be repaired and needs to be replaced entirely, which will be a big and expensive job.
This photo from the WSCC inspection report shows the extent of the corrosion.
What happens next?
It is reassuring to hear from the County Council that they are treating the bridge replacement as high priority. However it is taking time to scope out the work needed, partly because of the complexity of the job and the need to liaise with counterparts in the gas company (the water main is no longer in use).
Topographical and ground surveys are being commissioned, and landowners have been approached and are supportive of the bridge replacement. But it is too early for the Council to set to a date for when work will begin. The indications are that it will be a least a year before a new bridge is in place.
It means the White Bridge Link project is on hold for now. The Working Party is continuing with fundraising efforts and is working closely with the County and District Councils to make sure the new bridge is suitably designed for both bikes and walkers. Parish Councils are also keeping the pressure on.
We know it will be popular when the new bridge does get built. An online survey conducted over the summer showed there is strong demand from local users - walkers, cyclists, wheelchair and pushchair users. Nearly three quarters of respondents said they’d use the path more than they do now if it was improved, and a similar number said they would consider contributing to a crowdfunding campaign to cover part of the costs.
So while it’s a major inconvenience for now, there are good prospects that we will end up with a better bridge and a much-improved path in the media term. We’ll keep you posted.
The White Bridge Link Working Party was established by Steyning and District Community Partnership. You can find out the latest on the project at: www.visitsteyning.org/whitebridgelink
Note:
Following a Freedom of Information request, we now have a copy of the full structural report which includes images showing the corrosion. Click on the button below to read the report.
Concept
