Following the recent disruption to garden waste services across the district due to contractor staff shortages, the Council has confirmed all existing garden waste subscriptions will be extended by six weeks free of charge. This will be automatically applied.

The Council apologises for the recent disruption to garden waste collections and hopes the contract extension provides some recognition of the inconvenience caused to subscribers.

To address the challenges which led to the disruption and improve the resilience of the overall recycling and waste service, the Council has also agreed, in principle, to a package of measures with Biffa worth £160,000 through to April 2027.

The measures include additional short term staffing support, initiatives to improve workforce stability over the longer term and operational enhancements to recycling and food waste services. This includes the provision of an additional vehicle to support an extra recycling round.

Together, these measures are intended to strengthen service resilience, improve reliability and reduce the risk of future disruption.

Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID) is delighted to announce the opening of two significant public realm projects that further enhance the Business District’s growing network of outdoor spaces: the Woolborough Lane Linear Park and the latest phase of improvements at Crawter’s Brook People’s Park.

Together, these projects strengthen Manor Royal’s ambition to ensure that no employee or visitor is more than a five-minute walk from a high-quality outdoor space that is engaging, inspiring and reflective of the people, businesses and stories that have shaped Manor Royal over the decades.

The projects form part of a connected network of parks and public spaces that celebrate Manor Royal’s unique heritage, innovation and natural environment while supporting employee wellbeing, active travel and biodiversity.

Crawter’s Brook People’s Park: The Lost Woodland Gallery

Already one of Manor Royal’s most popular and valued green spaces, Crawter’s Brook People’s Park was first enhanced in 2014 with improvements focused on creating a stronger sense of place, improving access to nature and strengthening connections between Manor Royal, Gatwick Road and Fleming Way.

The latest phase introduces the Lost Woodland Gallery, a new public art initiative designed to complement the park’s existing character while encouraging more people to explore and enjoy the space. The gallery also contributes to Manor Royal’s Heritage and Arts Trail, helping to tell the story of the Business District through creative interpretation.

The first phase of the gallery features three bespoke sculptures by artist Andrew McKeown:

• The Green Lung, a powerful fusion of human biology and nature, combining the form of a human lung with tree roots, branches and trunks to highlight the vital relationship between people and the natural environment.
• Propelling Nature, inspired by Manor Royal’s rich aviation heritage, blending the shape of an early aircraft propeller with a sycamore seed to connect the district’s industrial history with the ecological importance of Crawter’s Brook.
• Crawter’s Molecules, a sculpture that references the many science and technology businesses based within Manor Royal, taking the form of a molecular structure that symbolises innovation, experimentation and discovery.

Woolborough Lane Linear Park: A Corridor of Activity, Interest and Ecology

Woolborough Lane serves as an important walking and cycling route through Manor Royal. While heavily used, the corridor previously offered limited amenity value beyond its transport function.

The new Linear Park transforms the lane into a welcoming and vibrant destination in its own right. Improvements include public artwork, benches, tables, seating walls and landscaped grass banks, alongside extensive planting of grassland, shrubs, hedgerows and trees to boost biodiversity and create a more attractive environment.

A series of new spaces has been created for employees and visitors to meet, relax and socialise, including dedicated seating areas and recreational features such as outdoor table tennis facilities.

Steve Sawyer, Executive Director of Manor Royal BID, said:

“These projects are another important step in delivering our long-term vision for Manor Royal as a business district that prioritises not only economic success but also the wellbeing of the people who work and visit here every day. We want our outdoor spaces to be distinctive, memorable and meaningful, reflecting the rich history, innovation and creativity that define Manor Royal. By connecting nature, heritage, public art and active travel, we are creating places that people genuinely want to spend time in.”

Michael Jones, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, said:

“The transformation of these spaces demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnership working and a shared commitment to improving the environment for our communities. The Woolborough Lane Linear Park and the enhancements at Crawter’s Brook People’s Park provide attractive, accessible and sustainable spaces that benefit employees, visitors and local residents alike while contributing to Crawley’s wider ambitions for wellbeing, biodiversity and placemaking.”

Marc Tomes of Allen Scott, landscape architects for the projects, said:

“Our objective was to create spaces that feel both functional and inspiring. At Woolborough Lane we have transformed an overlooked route into a series of welcoming places where people can pause, meet and enjoy nature. At Crawter’s Brook, the integration of art within the landscape creates new opportunities for discovery and reflection while strengthening the park’s identity and character.”

Artist Andrew McKeown said:

“The sculptures within the Lost Woodland Gallery draw inspiration from the unique qualities of Manor Royal and the stories embedded within the landscape. Each piece explores the relationship between industry, science, aviation and the natural world. I hope visitors will engage with the works in different ways and perhaps see familiar aspects of Manor Royal from a fresh perspective.”

The projects continue Manor Royal BID’s commitment to investing in high-quality public spaces that support health, wellbeing, sustainability and a stronger sense of place across the Business District.

Commissioned and delivered by the Manor Royal BID, both projects received support from the Crawley Town Deal.

For more information about Manor Royal’s public realm projects and the Heritage and Arts Trail, visit www.manorroyal.org/yourstory.

And Tandridge District Council are carrying out their Annual Canvass of the electoral register.

The council carries out the yearly check so that eligible voters can have their say in elections.

Household will soon receive a form either through the post or by email.

Information on how and whether you need to fill out the form will be included.

For more information you can visit the Tandridge District Council website.

South East Water must pay £30.5m on improvements after supply issues  hit thousands of customers in Kent and Sussex.

This follows the conclusion of three Ofwat investigations  into the company’s failures.

The improvements will be paid for by the firm’s shareholders and not through customer bills.

A spokesperson for the water company said they were “incredibly sorry” for the historical supply disruptions for Kent and Sussex customers.