What's it all about?

 

Well if we want to go back to the very beginning I guess it started about 1934 as new housing marched steadily westward along what is now the A259 south of the railway line. Soon it became apparent that the existing level crossing at Goring-by-Sea was not going to cope with the increasing amount of traffic being generated, not only by the housing but also by the goods yard that was adjacent to the station. In those day’s most of what was produced locally or brought in, traveled by train and only then distributed by van / lorry.

At some point just before WW2 there was the idea to build a bridge across the railway, then it was suggested why not improve the narrow lane up to the Littlehampton road. From what we’ve been told by those who lived in the area around that time, all manner of plans were drawn up for linking Goring and the A259 with the A24 at Findon via Titnore Lane and the Longfurlong across the Downs.

Like so many schemes there was delay after delay, so by the outbreak of War only an earth embankment that was to be the bridge over the railway was built – and that was only on one side. It wasn’t until the late 1960’s that the bridge and the improved road to the Littlehampton road were finally completed. But why did they make that road a dual carriageway?

Many stories abound for the reason, but we think the most plausible one was the perceived need for a western bypass of Worthing. Why? because even by the late 1960’s traffic was increasing rapidly and to build more and bigger roads was, and still is now, seen as the way to cut congestion. Although we haven’t seen the plans, we understand if it hadn’t been for the determination of a lady councillor at Worthing to stop it, that dual carriageway would have by now gone up Titnore Lane over the A27 and then across the Downs to the A24.

Although 40 years on, that desire for a western bypass is still wedded to those who think more roads will solve congestion. So when the land at West Durrington was earmarked for development, Titnore Lane was chosen as one of the feeder routes for traffic and as part of the deal the developers would foot the bill for ensuring the Lane could cope with the extra traffic the development generated. It would of course set a president for a major upgrade later.

Well we disagree and so does the Worthing Society, East Preston and Kingston Preservation Society, Worthing and West Sussex Green Party’s, Worthing Friends of the Earth, South Coast Against Roadbuilding, Titnore Emergency Action and the many thousands of local residents who have written letters and signed petitions.

We will not allow any widening, straightening, duelling or whatever to the Lane, for to do so would see one of the most important woodland complex's in southern England eventually destroyed in the name of the Worthing western bypass.

Please read on and see what you think, we welcome you views. click.

 

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Ancient Woodland, Hedgerows + Meadows for the Chop
 

 

          Titnore Lane

 

For high definition maps of the ecological impact area

       Please click for aerial view

 Please click  for map 1

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Unfortunately the published boundary for the South Downs National Park has omitted much of the sensitive area. Please click  for the boundary map and here for other threatened areas.

 

A MASSIVE battle is shaping up to save unique ancient woodland in West Durrington near Worthing in West Sussex which is under serious threat from Greenfield developers and road builders. Titnore lane and the development site is located to the north east of Highdown Hill between the A27 and A259 to the South. To the north of the site and the A27 lie Clapham Woods (the largest dip slope unitary ancient woodland complex on the South Downs) and the South Downs where the ground rises to above 300 feet. 

Titnore lane for many years has been a rat run for traffic commuting between the two major south coast trunk roads - now made even worse since being WRONGLY classified an 'A' road when the A27 Patching spaghetti junction was built -  but its origins date back into prehistory as a droveway. From those very earliest times the lane has been an important feature in the life of community's, whether it be for moving animals, food or timber the chances are that it has always followed the same meandering trial. But not anymore if the planners get there way. 

The first stage of the horrific plan, shortly to be rubber stamped by Worthing Borough Council, will see over 850 houses and various other buildings - outlined in red  - constructed, together with the widening and straightening of Titnore Lane to cope with the increase in traffic between the A27, A259 and the new developments.

The proposed road works would plough through rare ancient semi-natural woodland that has been there since the last ice age. Although this is an area that has been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) and is completely irreplaceable developers don't care a ****. So several hundred trees will have to be felled, many over 150 years old and comprising oak, ash birch and willow. The woods are home to many protected species of wildlife, including bats, crested newts, dormice, slow-worms etc. 

These trees are part of one of the last remaining areas of ancient woodland on the coastal plan and ironically the developer accepts that the ancient woodland is of great conservation importance as it is known to support a considerable variety of bird species, Long Tailed Tit, Blackcap, Treecreeper, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. They also accept that the Oaks along Titnore Lane are of high lichenological interest and include Schismatomma quercina which is very rare in Sussex and the uncommon species Arthonia vinosa

Titnore Lane itself is part of our cultural heritage, reaching back at least to the Anglo-Saxon period and most probably way beyond that. It was part of a longer track that reached northwards across the Downs and is rich in archaeological remains. The woods below Highdown, the important iron age hillfort, are an important amenity for local people and the quality of life would be severely affected by the massive housing estate - and by the increase in traffic.

But that's not all. Although The present development application covers over 125 acres - some within the Countryside Agency's 'Boundary' for the designated South Downs National Park but crucially much is outside. The full area threatened by future development is bordered by the A27, Adur avenue, Fulbeck Avenue, Titnore Way and Titnore Lane The central OS Grid Reference is TQ 10499 05317.

The area contains the Grade 1 listed Castle Goring, it's historic parkland and lake, together with Roman and prehistoric archaeology as well as the unique ancient woodland. It is worthy of note that in his report, the inspector who carried out the Local Inquiry into the Worthing Draft Local Plan stated: 'Proper recognition should be given to the importance of the Castle Goring Conservation Area'.

Finally the full horror, even for the present nasty scheme, would be clearly seen from Highdown Hill (National Trust) and once the tree canopy is removed as the trees are felled, the willful vandalism of the widened Titnore Lane would dominate and destroy the setting of the South Downs area of Outstanding Natural Beauty towards the north.

May we please urge you to:

Object to this development by writing / e-mailing:

The Head of Planning, Portland House Richmond Road Worthing West Sussex. BN11 1LF. 

e-mail: planning@worthing.gov.uk  Quoting Application No: WB/05/1402/FULL

You may also like to object to the Tesco application: WB/05/0245/OUT Tesco Stores Ltd in a separate letter / e-mail. See sample letters at: Click  -  Remember the Tesco slogan: You Shop We Chop!

 Please feel free to copy this text to anyone you think may be interested enough to write.

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