Tag Archives: Featured

Clive Hilton, Listen, On Demand

The Student Loan Injustice & When Higher Education Isn’t Higher!

 

Sunday Brunch featured soundbytes from the above ‘Sussex & Surrey Soapbox’ podcast episode…. to skip chapters click on the 3 horizontal lines (left in the above player). Have your say via WhatsApp (bottom right) or join the conversation in our Facebook Group HERE.

We challenge the UK student loan model, from £66k thresholds to RPI-linked interest, and ask whether mass university still delivers value. We compare degrees to trades, examine apprenticeships and graduate schemes, and explore fixes that align education with real jobs.

• Plan 2 loans, thresholds, and interest mechanics
• Uneven outcomes between elite degrees and low-return courses
• Mortgage, income, and mental strain from long-term debt
• Retroactive loan changes and claims of misselling
• Trades and apprenticeships as high-return alternatives
• Graduate schemes demanding experience and blocked entry routes
• Funding STEM, nursing, and critical roles differently

We also reflect on wider community concerns across Sussex & Surrey for future episodes: net zero, roads, bins, homelessness, mental health…

Many thanks to the Wildwood Restaurant, Crawley for their amazing space and hospitality. 

Roundtable Featuring: Georgie Lucas, Jacq Inwood, James Tidy, Micaela Leal & Maureen Jones. Host: Clive Hilton. 

 

SUSY News

Godstone Road Collapse: One Year On

Photo credit: Tracey Franklin

The first anniversary has now passed since the appearance of the large sinkholes, or road collapse, on the A25 Godstone High Street.

Since then Surrey County Council says the area has been made safe, and the infrastructure for utility services has been temporarily repaired which allowed residents to return home.  Pedestrians can now use the area, but the road remains closed while the impact on residents and businesses continues. 

Photo credit: Tracey Franklin

Speaking on Susy Radio, Patrick Deeley from Flower Farm said the delay in repairing and reopening the road has knocked 20% of trade from his business:

MP for East Surrey, Clare Coutinho has added her concerns about the impact on the village:

Surrey County Council says filling and stabilising the mine networks under Godstone High Street remains the focus of operations while further mine tunnels continue to be discovered.

Photo credit: Tracey Franklin

You can hear Neil Munday and Clive Hilton’s full discussion programme here:  susyradio.com/2026/02/21/godstone-sinkhole-road-collapse-1-year-on/

Clive Hilton, Community, Listen, On Demand, SUSY News

Godstone Sinkhole (Road Collapse) 1 Year On

1 year on from a huge hole opening up on the A25 Godstone High Street, work continues toward making the area safe and reopening the road.

Questions, lots of questions by local residents, business owners and MP for East Surrey Claire Coutinho, that need answers, which both Surrey County Council and SES water at present don’t seem to be able to provide sufficient responses.

Susy Radio’s Neil Munday and Clive Hilton spent Saturday morning talking to many residents and businesses in the village to get their thoughts on the current situation, along with the local MP.

There is a Godstone Road Collapse website for anyone interested in keeping up to date with the progress of repairs.
https://www.godstoneroadcollapse.co.uk/

SUSY News

M23 Junction 10 Improvement Works

Drawing credit:  Breheny Civil Engineering

Work will begin later this month to upgrade junction 10 of the M23 near Crawley. 

The main elements of the work include an additional lane on the M23 northbound and southbound off slip roads, and additional lanes on the Copthorne Way and Crawley Avenue approaches. 

As well as improving the reliability and capacity of the M23, the improvements will support the completion of 1,900 homes in the nearby Forge Wood development. 

The project is a joint venture between Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey in conjunction with National Highways and West Sussex County Council.  Breheny Civil Engineering is delivering the project which is scheduled to be completed in approximately 12 months.

A public information event for local residents and businesses will be held on Tuesday 24th February between 5-8 pm at Forge Wood Community Centre.

Drawing credit:  Breheny Civil Engineering