Concerns close to the hearts of Littlehampton residents raised

About 60 people turned up for the town meeting in Littlehampton Town Council’s New Millennium Chamber, at the Manor House, Church Street.

Topics ranged from the future of the cinema provision at the Windmill Entertainment Centre to concerns over the proposed pedestrian crossing near the newly-opened Morrisons superstore.

Mayor Emma Neno opened the meeting, speaking about the various activities during her term in office.

She said it was “strange to be able to report so many positives against such a gloomy national perspective”, with the opening of the Southfields Jubilee Centre, the Olympic celebrations and diamond jubilee bonanza.

She added she had raised about £20,800 for her two charities, Cancerwise and Home-Start Arun, saying: “I could never have imagined even in my wildest dreams how amazing our town has been in helping me achieve this.”

One resident noted a pedestrian crossing, by the A259 and A284 Lyminster Road, to access Morrisons, still had not been constructed.

Town clerk, Peter Herbert, agreed, saying the current situation was “like a game of Russian roulette”.

He added the council would be putting pressure on West Sussex County Council to install the crossing as a matter of urgency.

Campaigners seeking to secure the future of the Windmill also spoke.

Larry Haas of the East Beach Residents’ Association said he was keen to hear whether or not the council had any action plan in place to support the facility, if talks between Arun District Council and entrepreneur Adam Cunard, who hopes to acquire the site, fell through.

Mr Herbert said he couldn’t comment on the details yet, as at the time, the meeting between Mr Cunard and Arun, had not taken place.

Concerns were raised by Edna Farrier, chairman of the Rope Walk Residents’ Association, about construction work on the west bank of the River Arun.

She said residents of Rope Walk and nearby Harbour View Park had been blighted by works traffic, which she claimed travelled down the road from as early as 5am.

The movement of the heavy goods vehicles caused some mobile homes to vibrate, she told the meeting.

In response, Littlehampton harbour master Billy Johnson told the meeting that the project was in the final stages and he apologised for any inconvenience.

However, he stressed that the work was needed to clear shingle in the river, which had become a hazard for those using the harbour.