Sandgate Park bridge

See here for an update on progress with photos https://www.sandgate-conservation.org.uk/2019/07/10/sandgate-park-bridge-work-almost-complete/

The Sandgate Conservation Society volunteers were out this morning preparing for the new path to the bridge. An update with photos can be found here https://www.sandgate-conservation.org.uk/2019/06/22/work-starts-on-new-bridge-and-paths/

When the bridge project was originally conceived it was going to be a relatively small scale construction project built by volunteers overseen by Horsham District Council. The goal-posts have moved considerably over the past few months with the need to re-route paths. HDC Parks and Countryside, who will be responsible for the safety of any volunteers working on the project and the safety of users of the finished bridge have decided that a much more substantial construction project is required and that a contractor is needed to carry out the bulk of the work. There will still be some opportunities for volunteers to get involved but less so than originally envisaged. The money raised by the crowdfund and some significant off-line donations received by Sandgate Conservation Society will still go towards the project and, in fact, will cover a significant proportion of the cost of the entire bridge and paths project. Additional funding is being sought from various sources by HDC. The current plan (subject to change) is that scrub and tree clearing will start this week to enable the construction of the re-routed path on the Cemex side to the chosen bridge site. On Saturday 22 June Sandgate Conservation Society volunteers will help by felling a number of small trees for the contractor to remove. Details of this work party can be found on our Facebook page and website. The main construction activity will take place between Wednesday 26th June and Friday 19th July. Its expected that volunteers will be asked to help with bolting the bridge together on site on Tuesday 2nd July.

Because you have all been so generous we have enough funding for the bridge but we are leaving the funding campaign running for a little longer to raise funds for the extras that will make the project even better. But this isn't delaying the bridge as we now need to sort out the detailed plans with HDC and Cemex before we start work. We want to make sure that we make the most of the money that you have pledged towards the project. When we have more news we will post it here.

Thanks to the support shown towards this project by the local community, the local West Sussex Council Council committee has pledge the full amount available for projects of this type - the full £2500. This, combined with pledges from you means that we have met and exceeded our target. The additional money already raised and raised during the remainder of the crowdfund will be used to make the project even better e.g. improving the paths approaching the future bridge.