14 new on-call firefighters have joined the ranks of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

On-call firefighters have other jobs and only attend the fire station to respond to emergency callouts.

The recruits were presented with their graduation certificates at Horley Fire Station last week.

A man-hunt is underway following an attempted armed robbery in East Grinstead.

The incident occurred around 9.30 Saturday morning at Stone Quarry post office in Hollands Way.

Believed to be in his early twenties, the suspect walked in and threatened a member of staff with a knife.  He ran off after staff prevented him from climbing behind the counter.

The man is believed to have ridden off on a small-engined motorbike. No one was hurt.

Police have released a description of the offender: a white male, 5’10”, early 20s, of average build and clean shaven. He spoke with a southern accent and was wearing all-black fabric motorcycle clothing and a white crash helmet.

The operator Govia Thameslink Railway could soon lose its franchises.

GTR, which oversees Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink services, will need to show improvements by July 15th, the proposed date for the implementation of  new interim timetables.

This is the latest in a number of moves to try and smooth over the situation with commuters.

Last week the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Jo Johnson, announced a comprehensive compensation package for Rail passengers in the north of England affected by the recent rail disruption there.

Earlier last month Charles Horton resigned as CEO of Govia Thameslink Railway.

And a petition calling for the immediate removal of the contract with Govia Thameslink Railway has so far received over 18,000 signatures.

In an official response to that petition, the Government confirms ‘Passengers have faced totally unsatisfactory levels of service in recent weeks’ continuing ‘Ministers share the frustration of passengers’.

A number of young students have graduated from a week’s training at Crawley Fire Station.  

The students aged between 12 and 14 took part in West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s FireBreak programme and participated in range of drills including hose running, ladder climbs and wearing breathing apparatus.  They have also learned a range of skills including CPR and fire safety and have gained a Heart Start qualification.

The students are from schools in Crawley, East Grinstead and Horsham.

Motorists using the M23 can expect slower journeys than usual for two years due to narrow lanes, a reduced speed limit and lane closures.  

It’s all part of an upgrade to make the M23 an all-lane-running (ALR) smart motorway between junction 8 with the M25 and junction 10 at Crawley.  Construction began earlier this month with completion 25expected in Spring 2020. When it’s finished the M23 will have four running lanes in each direction with a variable speed limit.  The westbound spur road towards Gatwick will be upgraded to three running lanes. While the work takes place, journey times will take longer than normal with three narrower lanes in operation throughout the two year project with a 50 mile per hour speed limit.

To implement narrow lanes, the motorway continues to be closed overnight between 10 pm and 4 am Monday to Friday.  This week the northbound carriageway will be closed during those times between junctions 10 and 8 with diversions in place through Felbridge and the A22.