Open North Street, Midhurst

Comments

#203

I live in Angel Yard and am experiencing great difficulty in living my normal life.

Jean Stevens (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#204

The saving of the facade didn’t merit the damage being done to the town and the surrounding local roads being turned into thoroughfares

Robert Boniske (Mudhurst, 2023-04-22)

#207

I have to travel everyday around the backroads to get to and from work which is costly and timely . There is no need to for this length of delay to shore up a building!

Samantha Mitty (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#208

Midhurst is dying, we need to be able to get into town again without going round the countryside and ruining our tyres! Midhurst needs it's people back.

Judith Gregory (Tillington, 2023-04-22)

#209

It’s a major traffic route and the effect on businesses in the town and the safety of drivers and their cars having to use pot holed back eoads

Laura Owen (Easebourne, 2023-04-22)

#212

I am signing because I support our local community.

The disaster has strangled the town resulting in layoffs, trading down by up to 90% for businesses and diversions down single track lanes which have deteriorated quickly causing lots of damage to cars.

Midhurst’s recovery is being managed by several layers of bureaucratic recovery committees with each one pointing at the other for ultimate responsibility causing endless delays and renegotiation with Chichester District Council, West Sussex County Council, South Downs National Park and Historic England all avoiding having ultimate responsibility.

This is all despite the press releases on Friday evening announcing that the local authorities have taken over. Why was this not done weeks ago.

The Midhurst community is desperate for the road open both ways as soon as possible with the burned out shell of the building demolished.

We are appealing to Gillian Keegan MP to use her considerable weight to force the shambles of rambling recovery groups to take action and for historic England to delist the wall to allow its demolition and to OPEN THE ROAD.

Hannah Burton (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#216

Who wants to live in a town with an historic hotel with well restored 400 y/o façade and no shops?

David Barlow (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#217

I want north street open

Jeremy Watd (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#218

I’m signing because I fear that Midhurst will be a ghost town if the road isn’t open soonest, and our businesses will not survive.
Surely livelihoods are worth more than some crumbling so called grade 2 listed facade.

Irena Greaves (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#220

I travel through Midhurst quite a bit with work. Now I have to go through the other villages and towns and it puts a huge strain on the roads and on the local services. Also the businesses really suffer because of the road closure

Mark Hider (Petersfield, 2023-04-22)

#223

I agree with all of the post and am stunned that no work has even started .We want the town to survive and this facade does not warrant the destruction of Midhurst as a town

Susan Hill (Petworth, 2023-04-22)

#227

I think North Street should be opened by now

Gail Paterson (Graffham, 2023-04-22)

#228

Hollist lane is a nightmare when you live there. It cannot support all that traffic. And I have to go miles to get home!!!

Dick Kries (Easebourne, 2023-04-22)

#229

It’s causing me so much stress , I have to get to Petworth every day from Stedham , the fuel , the time , the potholes , other drivers, my poor car 🚗 has been bounced and shunted through places I wouldn’t normally drive , it’s making my life a misery , and now polo will start and the roads will be carnage

Kathryn Boyden (Midhurst, 2023-04-22)

#230

Open a museum and put what’s salvageable and worth looking at in there and let the people of Midhurst carry on with their lives and give the other shops have chance to thrive again before the whole of Midhurst ends up in the museum!!

N/A N/A (N/A, 2023-04-22)

#233

The disruption the closure of the high street is causing to Midhurst and everyone who lives here or has connections here now totally outweighs any other needs. We need the road fully open urgently with no further disruption.

Sarah Jordan (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#234

I live in the centre of Midhurst but only have access to my property on the east side.

Penny Joppe (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#235

I live near Midhurst and currently can’t get to Petersfield or the West without giant back road detour, unbelievably high amounts of traffic on single track roads and along pot holed roads which has recently given me yet another puncture.

The businesses in Midhurst are massively suffering and if the high st isn’t open very very soon, it is likely many of the business will have to close and Midhurst could become a ghost town.

Please please Reopen ASAP. ITS AN EMERGENCY.

Sebastian Pearson (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#236

I agree wholeheartedly with the content of your circular.

Simon Southern (Petersfield, 2023-04-23)

#238

The roads around the area are now so dangerous to drive on. Too much traffic and major potholes are causing too many near misses. The school run has now become a worrying time, wondering if a big lorry will come hurtling around a bend or the car damaged by being forced into a dangerous pot hole.

Donna Briant (Petworth, 2023-04-23)

#240

To support local businesses and resume traffic as normal

Tilly Wilson (Petersfield, 2023-04-23)

#242

I live in midhurst

Georgie Davidson (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#243

I live in midhurst and the town and high street needs to be open in order to survive.
Any other town would have been open weeks ago.

Charlotte ELMY Britton (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#244

This is now becoming super detrimental

Zoe Brackpool (Petworth, 2023-04-23)

#247

This is destroying the economic base of the town.

Ben Cooper (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#248

It is crippling us all in the local community, I dread to think the impact on local business. It’s a disgrace nothing has happened towards reopening the road.

Simon Monhemius (Petworth, 2023-04-23)

#250

The paralysis in decision making is laughable, whoever is holding this up should be ashamed. Businesses will go under because of sensibilities over a building. You have lost your marbles. Knock the damn thing down, make safe and open the hightstreet. It is not that complicated. Richard Kingsbury

Richard Kingsbury (Elsted Nr Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#251

Im signing because the closure is crippling our town

Amice Lock (Stedham, 2023-04-23)

#252

The town of midhurst is suffering immeasurably and we need to reopen the road as soon as possible.

Nikki Webster (Petersfield, 2023-04-23)

#253

Town will die if not opened immediately

Christian Kenny (Fernhurst Haslemere, 2023-04-23)

#254

I m signing because in already challenging times for local businesses if the High Street is not opened up again quickly the future of the town is being sacrificed on the funeral pyre of conservation which whilst it has its place must surely yield to stark economic reality. The desire to save the hotel façade is rapidly turning this into a farce

Paul Grimwood (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#255

We are fast becoming a divided town, with residents one side of the wall being able to travel south and those on the other side travelling north. We live in Hollist Lane and everytime I need to visit my frail 94 year old mother to the south of the town I have to navigate the rubble which Hollist Lane has become and then drive miles at much cost to get back to my own house as we have been told without any consultation that even residents are not allowed to return via Woolbeding. We have been invited to let the council know about potholes that need filling. There are now so many that it is impossible to accurately say where they are. Hollist Lane is just one big pot hole. It would appear this situation is to go on for weeks, in reality probably months and the residents of Hollist Lane will as we go into the summer contend with Goodwood events, those trying to get to the coast etc etc. I can only imagine how desperate those running businesses in Midhurst must be feeling. No facade can possibly be worth what this divided town is now experiencing. There is no sense of proportionality or common sense. Why not add to the history of Midhurst by building something even more attractive and exciting that will draw visitors into the town. In the words of the Berlin wall campaign "Tear down this wall"

Debbie Grimwood (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#257

I work in Midhurst and although originally I though it best to save the frontage it has taken too long and the road closure is devastating for the businesses. Surely it should be taken down in a controlled manner before it tumbles down with pedestrians walking nearby and injuring or worse .

Debbie Stevens (Petersfield, 2023-04-23)

#261

I am a resident of Midhurst and I believe the continued closure of North Street will have a long-lasting and severely negative impact on the community.

Joanna Grimwood (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#263

Midhurst is where I was brought up and I care very much about it

David Mason (Birmingham, 2023-04-23)

#264

My family has lived in the town for well over 100 years, starting an important local business in 1922 that is still going. Midhurst needs to thrive as a commercial centre and not just as a beauty spot.

ANDREW WEST (London, 2023-04-23)

#265

I know Midhurst extremely well and realise what an effect the closure will have on the area and community

Peter Veitch (London, 2023-04-23)

#266

I fully believe the facade can be rebuilt so that North Street can reopen without delay.

Kay Sheehan (Lodsworth, 2023-04-23)

#267

I am a local resident who loves the town, both for its history AND the fact that it is full of contemporary businesses that deserve to thrive. I am also concerned about the condition of the surrounding lanes that were not designed for the volume of traffic currently using them and the increased amount of road kill I am seeing as a direct result. Our precious wildlife is also suffering.

Natasha Young (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#271

Midhurst is my home town and it about time all the so called experts got there Act together

David Simons (Pouzols, 2023-04-23)

#272

I am signing this petition as I live in Midhurst Easebourne and we are all suffering and our town will not survive this!

Nicole Jelbert (Easebourne, Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#273

I’m signing because the businesses are suffering and the work to at the very least have single file traffic could be done quickly. I use Midhurst and it’s a nonsense the Angel and next door are not screened to avoid collapse into the street.

Stephen Cooper (Petworth, 2023-04-23)

#274

Midhurst is being killed off. We need this road open .

maria harding (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#276

I am signing because the disruption caused by the lengthy road closure is putting extreme and unreasonable pressure on local roads, communities, villages and daily life. It is also causing Midhurst's fragile post-pandemic recovery to go into meltdown.

I am sympathetic to the desire to preserve listed buildings and to make the damaged buildings safe for the public, but the agencies involved need to come together to find an agreed solution / compromise to the problem as a matter of urgency and open up the road. Giving priority to these buildings over the essential and immediate fundamentals of daily life - work, financial hardship, families, the elderly and disabled - is poorly judged and careless of people's lives.

Christine Musgrove (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#280

I'm sick and tired of trying to find the extra money for the extra mileage occurred, the damage to our tyres, making my job far more difficult (Local delivery driver) have stopped visiting friends who live the wrong side of midhurst etc. It's plain idiotic.

Vicky Mordle (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#281

It is absurd to close down the main high street in Midhurst just because of a fire in one property. The whole area relies on clear access through this historic town. The local authority needs to sort this out quickly.
The local economy in the area is being seriously damaged.
Yours faithfully,
Stephen Wilcox

Stephen Wilcox (South Harting, 2023-04-23)

#283

Loss of trade and the diversion roads are dangerous

Shelly Quartermaine (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#285

I travel to Midhurst a lot - the Polo will shortly be in full swing with heavy huge lorries traversing the local lanes which are now also full of traffic having to avoid Midhurst. There will undoubtedly be a horrendous accident if something isn't done!

Sue Bird (Bosham, 2023-04-23)

#287

judithmaclawson@yahoo.co.uk

Judith Macdonald-Lawson (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#289

I'm signing because my elderly mother lives just north of Midhurst and I live just south of Midhurst. I have to visit my mother every day. It should take me 10 minutes to get to her but with North Street closed it now takes me 25 minutes making it a 50 minute round trip. The extra time it takes me has to come out of my self-employed working day. What remains of the Angel is just a plain wall front elevation and is definitely NOT worth saving. The features that had warranted its Heritage England listing have all burnt to the ground. Knock it down & save our town.

Fleur Ogilvy (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#291

Businesses are suffering. South-bound traffic cannot get through Midhurst to towns further south, so there is a knock-on effect. And some idiot has sent in traffic wardens to hand out penalties to those of us who try to support the businesses.

Jane Short (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#298

We need the road open now the town is dying and we are in danger of a lot of shops having to close. As well as all the surrounding roads are destroyed and dangerous to drive on.

Susan Smethurst (Midhurst, 2023-04-23)

#299

We use midhurst shops and the Grange extensively
It is currently a nightmare trying to get through

Ed Watt (Fernhurst, 2023-04-23)

#300

We need the high street open

Paul Heaume (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#302

It’s beyond a joke that nothing has happened to open up Midhurst yet. Save our town!

Peter Olivant (Stedham, 2023-04-24)

#303

I’m signing because of all the lost business that might not return if the road is not opened very soon

Richard Macgregor (Newbury, 2023-04-24)

#307

Traders rely on road open for passing trade. Midhurst is not a destination town for shopping and diversions are keeping customers away.

Madge Arabella (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#308

I am signing for the following reasons:
- No meaningful progress has been made to secure the front of the affected buildings
- Lack of information about forward plans and the associated time frames
- The impact on local commerce
- The impact on through traffic
- The small country roads, which traffic is forced to take, are deeply rutted and will soon be impassable
- the implications for ill people needing emergency medical transfer to Chichester hospital

Alison Howe (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#309

As sad as it is to do this I fully support the action to sacrifice the building by demolishing it rather than continuing to jeopardise the viability of the town, the businesses and the freedom to travel through Midhurst.

Shelagh Butcher (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#310

Lives and businesses are more important than facades that will most likely have to come down anyway. Get the high street open now as a matter of urgency.

Philippa Thorman (Petworth, 2023-04-24)

#312

In this case it is not about saving a building it is about saving the life of a whole community 😢

kos evans (midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#315

We are local and cannot bear to see this lovely town virtually closed because of the road not being passable.

sibella sheehan (petworth, 2023-04-24)

#316

The closure is affecting the whole community and in particular local businesses which have only just survived the pandemic lockdown.

Colin Macgregor (Brill, 2023-04-24)

#317

The total closure of North Street is now totally unnecessary as other measures, such as shoring, can be put into place to ensure the health and safety of all and it does not take more than 4 weeks to decide whether to pull the whole building down or not.

Craig McGowan (Haslemere, 2023-04-24)

#318

Even with persistent marketing, signage and persuasion. The road closure continues to act as a disincentive to local customers and certainly customers that come as far as London from coming into Midhurst, a destination town.

Jazz Walker (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#319

My business is at least 50% down after the fire - the road is vital to the survival of the businesses in this town

Laura Jandac (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#320

We have to preserve livelihoods not burnt out buildings. The building can easily be rebuilt but you cannot say the same for hard work invested in a career or business.

Nick Ferrier (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#322

The road closure is having a devasting effect on businesses and local residents.Not to mention the life or death potential situations if emergency services are delayed due to the barriers.
The priority is to save Midhurst not a facade which is past saving and van be replicated.

Marion Razak (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#323

I am signing because I need the road to be open at least one side for the cars can get through and help businesses in the town busy and back to normal

Thuy Hoang (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#324

Midhurst businesses and residents are unfairly threatened by this prolonged street closure. Safety to pedestrians and road users on surrounding small country lanes is now a worrying issue. Roads are becoming potholed & unsafe with the excessive use and frustrated traffic. We need the main street access reinstated swiftly. Knock the building down or shore it up and open up the road again. Save Midhurst!

Margaret Newton (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#327

Small businesses in the high street are really struggling since the road closure as there are no passers by.
We call on Government to take action to open the road.

Mary Hope (Stowmarket, 2023-04-24)

#329

The complete lack of action or leadership in resolving this issue

Stephen Von der heyde (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#333

All the shops in the High Street are suffering, they're losing alot of customers due to the closure. Restoration on the hotel needs to be done as quickly as possible, so things can return to normal.

Ruth Al -Zamel (Sussex, 2023-04-24)

#334

I am incensed by the total lack of leadership, while all these self important organisations waffle on endlessly and impose ridiculous constraints on getting the job done. They don’t even seem to have read the surveyors report. The front wall, side wall, chimney and all identified unsafe structures should have been pulled down, the site cleared rendered safe and road reopened weeks ago. The front wall and visible parts of the chimney can be replicated using modern materials.

David Macdonald-lawson (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#335

The road closure is causing absolute chaos on all surrounding roads with a major loss of business to Midhurst. The roads are dangerous due to the increased amount of cars and the amount of pot holes.

Annabel Heaton (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#337

The businesses in town are haemorrhaging money . Poor communications all round the road needs to be fully opened as a matter of extreme urgency

geoff allnutt (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#341

I don’t want this beautiful town to die.
Support local business

Lynne May (Midhurst, 2023-04-24)

#344

I realise that all the businesses in Midhurst are going to die unless there is a sensible balanced decision about foresaking history against supporting current lives. They are telling us on the street that their takings are reduced by 70p/c from this time last year . Either there is a massive support fund ( but that’s no fun without trading) or they will all fold and Midhurst will become a ghost town,
Pull the lovely Angel down, get life going again: people will remember it all and it will live big in the life of a new Midhurst!

Anne Stephens (Trotton, 2023-04-24)

#348

The town is slowly seeing the demise of their beautiful market down. As a visitor I find it heartbreaking to witness the difficulties the wider harm this closures are causing.

Lisa King (Trotton, 2023-04-25)

#349

i will be very sad otherwise

Elian Roelofse (Chichester, 2023-04-25)

#350

Signing because of the described issues. Businesses need to be supported, more than ever in the current climate.

Salem Razak (London, 2023-04-25)

#353

It is damaging local business

Jonah Munn (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#355

I opened my business in Midhurst 39 years ago in all these years I have never seen such little footfall even during the Lockdown's due to Covid,
Just Taking to Long to Sort Out.

Stephen Cooney (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#356

This extended road closure is keeping people away from the town and damaging businesses and people’s livelihoods. There is chaos on the diversions which take people well out of their way. If this was in London the road would have been opened much sooner. This is killing midhurst!

Joie Oconnell (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#357

The business community cant withstand this loss in revenue and if nothing happens quickly there will be no businesses in Midhurst to support the local community.
you can replace bricks and mortar easily over time but rebuilding a business community will take many many years .

david wagg (Emsworth, 2023-04-25)

#358

Im signing because I believe that better measures could have been put in place to open the high street as business & local economy is being destroyed. Midhurst thrives on through traffic & tourist & the retails it made up of mostly independents. Knock the facade down it serves no purpose. Don't destroy the town. The Cowdray polo season starts what will happen then. Be realistic open up the town

Corinne Wright (Haslemere, 2023-04-25)

#361

The road must reopen or businesses will close. Already businesses are losing they custom, once this happens the customers will not return.

Nicola Macgregor (Poole, 2023-04-25)

#364

I am signing this petition because I own a local business and I am losing income for jobs and travelling long distances to do minimal work. The back road conditions are very bad and even when they ‘fix’ potholes they don’t last.

CB Fletcher (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#367

Not only is it affecting the trade but has highlighted how poorly accessible midhurst is for the elderly and disabled both in terms of lack of benches to rest, and to public toilets as the only ones to my knowledge are at the bus stand, and coming from the petersfield side that can be upwards of a ten minute walk from the bus stops at the convent and temporary stop at the grange.

Chris Wilkinson (Stedham, 2023-04-25)

#372

The current road closure is having a fatal impact on the small businesses in Midhurst. Please reopen the road

Sarah Moss (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#373

I live in Midhurst and can’t bear to see the local businesses suffer! Also it is almost impossible for me to drive south or West and I am getting fed up with the lack of progress! It’s been going on far too long!!!

Caroline Creasey (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#374

The road closure is significantly impacting the Midhurst businesses and many elderly and disabled residents who are struggling to get to the surgery.

Jenny Sturgess (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#376

As a resident of Easebourne life is very difficult due to the closure of North Street and inadequate diversions on narrow lanes. I need the businesses in North Street to survive.

Patricia Norris (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#378

The roads that are being used as a diversion are not being maintained, midhurst is a ghost town and anyone you speak to in the surrounding areas are avoiding the area like the plague. Businesses are seriously being affected , I understand the need for the building is a landmark but at the end of the day it is just a brick wall covered in render, is anyone really going to notice if that front was rebuilt and painted. It could be demolished and rebuilt even using the same bricks if needed.

Elizabeth Guy (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#380

the road closure is also impacting businesses that rely on the through road in Petworth. The extra milieage everyone is having to do to avoid Midhurst is having an adverse effect on the surrounding roads which are ow full of potholes or the sides have crubled away. Not environmentally responsible havving so much more fuel being burned due to this (I average an extra 75 miles a week to get to my business premises) Its a brick wall. Not unique and not the best examnple of georgian architecture either. Rebuild it but take it down now.

Sara Hughes (Petworth, 2023-04-25)

#382

Midhurst is my local town and if North St isn’t opened soon, businesses that haven’t already burnt down will fold. The town is on the brink.

Katherine Jenkins (Singleton, 2023-04-25)

#388

The road closure is ridiculous. No doubt decisions are being delayed by insurers, but the buildings need to be secured behind a hoarding completely clear of the highway. The width of the footway is more than sufficient to achieve this.

Ian Russell (Haslemere, 2023-04-25)

#390

My family live in heyshott and I and my son travel to haslemere for his business it is adding time and money onto the journey and destruction to the surrounding villages is devastating with the polo and goodwood almost upon us it will be bedlam !! Enough time has passed for it to be made safe to open there's been surveyors and several organisations looking at the problems it's time to act now !

Lillian Cummins (Heyshott, 2023-04-25)

#392

The road needs to be opened to save Midhurst businesses and the roads around the town!

Rebecca De Lorenzo (Petworth, 2023-04-25)

#393

Midhurst has become a ghost town. The diversions are through single track lanes with few passing places. The pot holes are atrocious. Everyone is becoming so angry. The businesses are really struggling.

Hilary McNie (Petersfield, 2023-04-25)

#394

I live in Easebourne and am 39 weeks pregnant. The road closure severely effects my ability to get anywhere i need to go and adds added time to get to the hospital when baby arrives.

Charlotte Edmond (Waterlooville, 2023-04-25)

#396

I believe the road should be re-opened as a matter of urgency to save the town
…… and let people go about their daily lives

Julia Dent (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)

#397

I work in Midhurst and the town is deserted affecting all other businesses in the town,
If this continues some businesses will not survive.

kelly jones (petersfield, 2023-04-25)

#398

I visit the area regularly and the havoc is causing major issues for business, locals and visitors

Donna Alexander (Surrey, 2023-04-25)

#400

It’s needs to be opened as soon as possible. Poor Midhurst shops trying to cope with this. Must be so difficult for them and after lockdown as well. It’s a wonderful town. It needs to survive. Feel for the owners of the business that have been lost too.

Sara Vincent (Midhurst, 2023-04-25)