Latest news with #Worthing
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Deep concern' over water pollution at bathing site
An MP has urged water bosses to take action over pollution. Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West, is seeking an 'urgent meeting' with Southern Water due to 'continuing failures' regarding water contamination. Worthing Beach House, a bathing water site located near Splashpoint Leisure Centre, was designated poor by the Environment Agency last year, meaning swimming is not advised. Ms Cooper has described the water quality as "extremely poor' and said she has 'deep concerns'. Her statement said: 'I know that Worthing Borough Council have worked hard to achieve bathing water status by recruiting volunteer 'citizen scientists' to monitor pollution levels at this and other sites, only to find that the water off Beach House in particular is of such a poor quality that the public are advised not to swim in it. Worthing West MP Beccy Cooper (Image: Supplied) 'I am very alarmed that repeated pollution incidents will continue to impact public health and our coastal environment as we move into the busy bathing season and would like to seek reassurance that Southern Water is doing everything in its power to prevent this – as has clearly not been the case up to now. 'On behalf of my constituents therefore, can you please inform me of the causes of this recent decline in water quality and give me details of immediate and long-term measures being taken to prevent further pollution events. 'I would also like to see detailed information on your work with the council and Environment Agency to monitor and respond to water quality issues. READ MORE: Lake identified as a potential source of contamination at beach 'Furthermore, I would like to see improved transparency on this from Southern Water, with more open and regular communication with the public, especially during the summer season. 'Finally, I would like to request a formal written response on the issue and to suggest that as a matter of urgency we meet to discuss this and other matters further.' A spokesman for Southern Water said: 'We're pleased that Dr Cooper shares our concern for bathing water quality and we have been in contact to arrange a meeting to discuss how bathing water quality can be improved. 'There are many causes of contamination in bathing water – agricultural and road runoff, wildlife and human behaviour on the beach to name a few. 'On the official government website, it has been noted by the Environment Agency that at Worthing Beach House the likely main source of contamination is 'urban diffuse pollution entering through the surface water system'. 'This means the work of our misconnections team, which tracks down loos and washing machines wrongly connected to surface water drains instead of our sewer system, is vital to continue to improve bathing water quality. 'We are also investing in sewer investigations and rehabilitation where needed.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Worthing community groups urged to check grant eligibility
Community groups and organisations are being urged to find out if their projects are eligible for council message from Worthing Borough Council comes as the authority reopens its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood for up to £5,000 from the pot of £145,000 will open in September, but groups are being invited to express their interest fund is made up of a proportion of the payments collected from developers building in the area so the impact felt by residents can be offset. The council is looking for projects that provide direct benefits to the community and environment and also build "inclusive and connected" workshops are being held across the borough so groups can find out more about the than £200,000 was given to community groups through the CIL Neighbourhood Fund in 2024.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Man's outrage as multi-storey car park's lights left on despite closure
A man said it is 'outrageous' that lights at a seafront car park are left on despite its closure. Grafton car park on Worthing seafront was closed on May 16 after Worthing Borough Council reported 'falling concrete'. It said that it would be carrying out an 'urgent investigation' into the condition of the structure, which is more than 60 years old. John Hill, from Sompting, regularly drives past the car park and noticed the lights were still left switched on. The 74-year-old has raised concerns that it is wasting council money and says they should be switched off. Mr Hill said: 'It's like Blackpool illuminations. 'Every single light is burning. 'With all the cut backs the council is having to make at the minute, it's an absolute disgrace. 'They're on during the day and at night. 'It's outrageous. It must be costing thousands of pounds.' The council recently reassured the public that the connected shops and bowling alley are safe to stay open due to the structure of the building being unaffected. Worthing Borough Council has been approached for comment.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Former Sussex Police investigator facing misconduct charge
A former Sussex Police investigator has been charged with misconduct in a public office over claims he started a relationship with a vulnerable woman he met during an Gamlin, 58, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday to face an accusation that he contacted and engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman between June and September 2021, according to the Independent Office for Police IOPC spokesperson said it referred a file of evidence about Mr Gamlin following the end of its investigation in August Gamlin, who was based at Worthing CID, left Sussex Police in March 2023, it added. The IOPC said its investigation was triggered by a mandatory referral from Sussex Police has been approached for comment.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Music venue owner says town centre works are 'destroying' his business
A music venue owner says works in a town centre are 'destroying' his business. Howard Kirk owns The Venue, a live music hall and television production facility in Chapel Road, Worthing. Outside the building, Hemiko, an investor, developer, and operator of heat networks, is carrying out works to implement a sustainable network in the town. Mr Kirk has reported that the works are disrupting the day-to-day running of the venue, with no concerts being held this year. He said: 'It has almost destroyed the business. 'Any artists in tour buses or that have trucks are totally out of the question. 'We were down 60 per cent on our music shows thanks to the works and the actions of Worthing Borough Council and we are 100 per cent down on our filming, which is down to access, noise from the works and actions of Worthing Borough Council. Hemiko working on the new heat network outside High Street car park (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) 'They are preventing us from using our building, they have destroyed our business and reputation and robbed us of our livelihood.' Mr Kirk also reported car parking challenges impacting customers, who were previously able to use a car park in Stoke Abbott Road, which is now a medical centre. Grafton multi-storey car park on Worthing seafront was also closed last week due to 'concrete failing'. 'The car park situation is crazy, and again has an impact on us', he said. 'The car park spaces available with the works are next to nothing and to be shared with the Assembly Halls.' A number of other businesses in Worthing town centre have reported being impacted by the works, experiencing a drop in trade and footfall. Worthing Borough Council said Hemiko is looking to speak with Mr Kirk about the issues, adding that works will be paused over the summer holidays. A spokesman said 'We're saddened to see how a number of businesses and residents have reacted to the construction of the Worthing Heat Network. 'Along with Hemiko, our partner delivering the project, we're taking any concerns extremely seriously and have arranged in-person meetings with business owners and representatives of our town centre's traders to understand their worries and, where possible, make compromises to reduce disruption. 'Hemiko also holds monthly sounding board meetings with various stakeholders across the town to provide construction updates, help increase awareness of their upcoming works and take onboard feedback. 'We're approaching the end of this phase of the project, which has unfortunately seen unavoidable disruption caused to key areas of our town centre. "We understand how challenging this has been for businesses, visitors and people living in our town centre, and can only thank everyone for their patience during this period. 'We understand that some residents and businesses are feeling frustrated at the disruption that is taking place right now, but we retain our belief that the network will play a crucial part in not only our decarbonisation journey, but that of the hospital as well and supporting others across the town to connect in future. 'The project will bring sustainable heating to buildings and homes in the borough, cut the town's carbon emissions by thousands of tonnes of year and create hundreds of jobs, with Hemiko expecting to have created up to 500 jobs by 2050.' Hemiko was approached for comment. The first phase of the Worthing heat network is expected to be completed by 2026.
