We are pleased to announce the LBP Road Improvement Works are due to commence in Chartwell Road on Monday 5th August and this stage of the works are expected to last until 30th August 2024. 

This is the first step towards addressing the numerous road surface issues across the park. LBP would like to thank West Sussex Highways for revising their plans to provide the substantial substructure repair works required in Chartwell Road, before full resurfacing works can be planned. LBP are pleased to confirm West Sussex Highways has appointed road repair specialist FM Conway, to undertake these works.

LBP has been working with West Sussex Highways and FM Conway to ensure all issues are discussed and solutions identified. FM Conway are fully briefed about LBP and appreciate how important it is to provide site access and keep the traffic flowing. 

LBP met with West Sussex Highways and FM Conway on Wednesday to walk the park to determine:

• Why the dates were no longer showing on the works signs at Chartwell Road entrance -  FM Conway have apologised as the sun unfortunately sweated off the pen used to mark the works dates. This will be addressed asap, but please rest assured the works dates have not changed.

• What works are required before Monday - It's essential that tracing works are completed before Monday, to identify any utilities that exist in the works area. This will not impact traffic flow but will result in red (electric), blue (water) and yellow (gas) marking on the road. Delivery of the works barriers, signs and welfare unit will also need to take place before works commence on Monday.

• Where best to commence the works - the works will commence on Monday outside Biffa in the right lane of Chartwell Road, but access will be maintained to all sites.

• How best to manage the works to maximise traffic flow on Chartwell Road - works will only be undertaken in one lane at a time, with the loading bay outside Biffa needing to be taken out of commission for the week, to enable traffic to flow fully in the left lane. Please can you inform your drivers and customers to use either the loading bay outside the Test Centre or round by the Fire Station next week. On Monday, FM Conway's Foreman will be visiting all sites surrounding the works to ensure required movements are facilitated. Please call LBP on 07584 503729 if you have any concerns and we will work with you and FM Conway to address these for you. 

• The most suitable location for the works welfare unit to be placed - this will be placed on the west side of the Marlborough Road/ Blenheim Road Junction.

• The least impactful site for the works waste materials to be store and collected by grab lorry - this will be placed on the north corner of the access to Sussex Transport in Marlborough Road.

• Whether the potholes across the rest of the park be filled - West Sussex Highways has also instructed their Operations Team to fill all qualifying potholes across the park and these works are expected to be undertaken during twilight hours to minimise impact. Filling existing potholes can be completed very quickly (within an hour) and consideration will be given to maintaining traffic flow as much as possible. LBP are very pleased to confirm that the areas of 'plating' across the park, where the top surface has revealed the concrete underbase but are not deep enough to qualify for repair, are also to be addressed by FM Conway as they progress the works. These will be repaired with an interim material on an adhoc basis, as excess materials become available from the main repair works. The aim is for the whole of LBP to be as flat as possible by the end of this phase of works.

• What works will take place in the following roads during this phase of works:

• Whether the works will be completed on time - Unfortunately it's not possible to guarantee the works will be completed by 30th August, as FM Conway will not know the extent of the works required until each area of collapse has been excavated. FM Conway are however committed to providing a long-term solution for the park as quickly as possible.

• What will happen next - LBP will meet with FM Conway each Wednesday to review the previous week, discuss issues and plan for the following week. LBP will then place an update on the LBP News to keep business informed as the works progress. 

FM Conway are happy to work with all businesses on the park to ensure these works run as smoothly as possible. Please could you ask your staff and delivery drivers to be as patient as possible during the works. These are essential works and we really are doing everything we can to minimise impact to the day to day operation of the park.

More news next week, but please feel free to call LBP on 07584 503729 if you need any further information.