This week saw the completion of the road improvement works at the entrance to Chartwell Road and a full switch to works on the left-hand side of Chartwell Road.

The crew has been reopening sections of road as soon as possible to enable the switch and power through the rest of the works to keep on track, regardless of the continued delays in concrete supply and the awful weather yesterday.

LBP liaised with businesses in Chartwell Road and all motor trade businesses on the park this week, to try to identify the owner of the Fiat Panda which has not moved from Chartwell Road for a substantial period of time and is now causing an obstruction to the roadworks. LBP also issued a urgent text alert but to no avail, as it appears the Fiat is not linked to any business on the park. Full  credit must be given to the artic drivers as they have managed to navigate around the Fiat and keep the traffic flowing. LBP will continue to try to find the owner of the Fiat and arrange for this vehicle to be removed from the park asap.

Trenches that were dug earlier in the week outside the Test Centre were filled with concrete late yesterday and the top coat is expected later today.  Today will also see many more areas of plating filled to help flatten the roads across the park.

LBP is very grateful to report that the crew has kindly cleaned the covered gullies in Blenheim Road and ensured these are now functioning to avoid future flooding. WSCC Drainage Team have kindly arranged for these gullies to be fully cleaned in the next two weeks to set us in good stead for the winter.

Works have also commence in Commerce Way on the new gully to prevent the Perpetual Puddle, provide better drainage during high rainfall and avoid the surface drainage system backing up across the park which causes silting problems.

There are only a few trenches now left to dig but three of these are problematic. The crew has therefore kindly agreed to work this Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, to dig the trenches required outside both of Rabbit's access points in Chartwell Road. Plans are in place to ensure Rabbit's access is restored by first thing on Tuesday morning.

We will then be left with the trench required at the top of the Winston Business Centre (WBC) access road. Maintaining weekday and Saturday morning access here is essential, therefore approval has been sort to enable Saturday afternoon and Sunday working, hopefully on 31st August and 1st of September. The WBC businesses have been notified of this temporary access closure and dates will be confirm early next week.

19 trenches have now been dug to repair the substructure of Chartwell Road and rebuilding of theses areas is almost complete. A large section of repair has been completed outside Bidfood and will shortly be reopened ready for traffic again.

Floor sawing is well underway to ensure each trench has a crisp edge to help avoid future break-ups. This work is undertaken with a water saw to minimise dust.

A  major concrete delivery is expected this afternoon, following a slight delay due to the concrete plant breaking down earlier this week. FM Conway adjusted their work plan to keep the project on target and currently hope to complete all works a few days before the end of August.

The crew are working well to avoid impacting business access and to maintain traffic flow in Chartwell Road as much a possible. LBP would like to thank everyone for their patiences and understanding as this has made things so much easier for the crew and has enabled them to power through the right-hand side of the works.

So far this week we've managed to avoid any breakdowns within the open lane, although a big thank you needs to go to Sussex Transport for their very speedy rescue in Marlborough Road North on Tuesday. A delivery driver left a van without the handbrake on and Damian Pulford (LBP Chairman) and his staff jumped behind the van to stop its journey backwards into traffic and to push the van out of the way. Luckily no one was hurt and all damage was avoided. Well done ST!

Yesterday FM Conway reopened the right-hand side of the Chartwell Road entrance and switched to the left-hand side, ensuring sufficient HGV access is maintained.

Work has also commenced as planned on the far side of the access to Chartwell Business Centre, temporarily reducing access to one vehicle at a time. 

LBP are also pleased to report that the two buried gullies at the end of Blenheim Road have now been cleared and rodded. LBP hopes this will resolve the drainage issue and help avoid scenes like this:

Once the right-hand trenches are repaired and cured, the crew will switch to the left-hand side of the road next week, to complete the other side of each trench. More of the plating across the park will start to be filled as excess materials are available from each load.

The new gully in Commerce Way is currently being planned and we will have more news about this next week.

What a difference a week makes!

FM Conway have made great progress this week and LBP are pleased to report that so far each trench dug out has been straightforward. However, there are no guarantees this will continue as excavations progress throughout the rest of Chartwell Road. We have our fingers crossed though.

The plan to keep excavations to one side of the road at a time is working well and this will be maintained as much as possible.

LBP has been monitoring traffic flow and apart from the complications posed by the broken down artic in Chartwell Road yesterday afternoon, traffic has continued to flow well. FM Conway are committed to helping maintain access and traffic flow, so please do approach the crew if you have any issues and they will happily revise operations to assist you.

The crew has now progressed to the entrance of Chartwell Road and appreciate the issues this could cause, so are trying their hardest to excavate and repair this area as quickly as possible. It's hoped this area will be completed today if possible.

What a wonderful sight to see works commence on filling the areas of plating across the park with an interim surface. The aim is to provide a flat surface before the works are completed at the end of August and for full resurfacing works to be applied for next year.

Next week the crew aim to fill all excavated areas on Tuesday ready for reopening on Wednesday and then to swap sides of the road. This is dependant on many factors, so please bear with us as works progress as quickly as possible.

On Tuesday works are also due to commence outside Chartwell Business Centre (CBC), reducing this access to one vehicle at a time. During these works pedestrian access to CBC will be via the gate to the side of the main vehicle access point. These works are expected to take at least a week as one side of the access needs to repaired and cured before works on the other side can commence. Please can CBC businesses ask staff and visitors to be as patient as possible and to drive slowly through these works.

The holiday period has definitely reduced the number of movements on the park to help make these works possible. LBP do however understand the works are noisy and unavoidably disruptive.  LBP would like to thank all businesses and drivers for their understanding during these essential works and please rest assure everything possible is being done to speed through these works.

More news next week.

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.

Please be aware that West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service are working with Paula Rosa Manhattan to plan a major emergency fire exercise on site in Marlborough Road. 

The exercise will take place from 8pm on Monday 22nd July with 3 Fire Trucks attending Paula Rosa Manhattan, considerable generated smoke and rescue activity.

Please can you spread the word so that people are aware this is a simulated exercise and not an actual fire.

Many thanks

LBP would like to thank everyone who has asked after the driver injured in the crash on 29th July 2024, outside Paula Rosa Manhattan in Marlborough Road.

LBP are very pleased to report that after being worked on by Paula Rosa Manhattan staff with their defibrillator and then the Emergency Services, the driver is recovery well in hospital. 

The driver is now talking and walking following the serious head injury. In fact this week the driver recovered sufficiently to undergo successful heart surgery, to help address the underlying course of the crash. 

It is expected that the driver will need to remain in hospital for the foreseeable future, whilst his neurology and cardiology issues are monitored. It is however hoped that rehab treatment will commence shortly.

LBP would like to send the driver and their family our best wishes for a continued good recovery.

LBP would like to apologise for the period of quiet since the LBP Road Resurfacing Works announcement in May 2024, this has been necessary whilst we worked with West Sussex Highways to determine the best course of action for the park.

LBP are now in a position to give you a full update and share West Sussex Highways' new plan for improving the public roads across the park.

Please note the planned full park closure on 25th August 2024 has now been cancelled.

To view the update please click here.

Nick Tompkin, Partner and Head of Corporate & Commercial Department at Bennett Griffin, has kindly offered to provide a free Legal Clinic for businesses based on Lancing Business Park and LBP Sponsors.

This is a unique opportunity for businesses on the park to confidentially discuss any legal issue they are facing in their business and gain free legal advice.

LBP would like to thank Pasante Healthcare Ltd for kindly hosting this event in there private conference facility, adjacent to their beautiful reception (below) in Peter Road. 

For further details and to book a slot please click here

Last week LBP provided an update on the traffic incident that occurred at 6:30am on Wednesday 29th May, outside Paula Rosa Manhattan.

We are now be in a position to update you on the condition of the driver, who crashed in Paula Rosa Manhattan's fence, after a health issue at the wheel.

As explained last week, luck was on the driver's side, as the point of impact meant that help was immediately on hand from an L&S Waste Management HGV driver, a learner driver with their tutor, Mike Nea of CJS Landscapes and multiple employees from Paula Rosa Manhattan, who came running with their defibrillator in hand.

The CPR and defibrillator work administered firstly by Chris Chapman and Ryan Greenland, First Aiders at Paula Rosa Manhattan and then the extensive support provided by the South East Coast Ambulance Service crews, ensured the driver was breathing when he left the scene.

It has been an incredibly difficult week for the driver and their family, at times looking very bleak. LBP are however so pleased to report that the driver has now turned a corner and is conscious. The driver is still in ICU but is now breathing independently and responding well. 

This wonderful news would not have been possible without the amazing support of those at the scene. LBP would like to thank all of them for their immediate action, which helped to change this story completely and enabled the driver's to be here for their birthday last week.

LBP would like to wish the driver, their family and colleagues all the best and we hope that the road to recovery is as smooth and speedy as possible.

LBP has a network of 17 defibrillators across the park for exactly these situations and are so grateful to support of LBP businesses, in sharing their resources for public access.

To view the Defibrillator Map please click here

The British Heart Foundation offers the following free and clear online training:

• Learn how to do CPR in 15 minutes - please click here

• Understanding defibrillators - what they are and how to use them - please click here

At 6:30am on Wednesday 29th May, an employee from Lancing Business Park suffered a health issue, whilst driving their car along Chartwell Road into Marlborough Road.

LBP is very sorry to report that the driver then crashed into a fence at Paula Rosa Manhattan. However, luck was on driver's side, as the point of impact meant that help was immediately on hand at this early stage of the morning. 

Opposite in the loading bay was an L&S Waste Management HGV and a learner driver with their tutor, and seconds after the crash Mike Nea of CJS Landscapes arrived on the scene. All parties immediately jumped into action, with the L&S Driver alerting the Emergency Services, whilst Mike called for help from Paula Rosa Manhattan. 

Six employees from Paula Rosa Manhattan came running with their defibrillator in hand. Everyone worked together to pull the driver from the car so he could be laid on the ground, to enable Chris Chapman and Ryan Greenland, First Aiders at Paula Rosa Manhattan, to administer the defibrillator and CPR.

Due to the early hour, there was no traffic to delay the Emergency Services,  who arrived in numbers within minutes to take over the scene. 

The driver was later rushed to hospital, but due to the action of all these wonderful people, the driver was thankfully breathing. 

The driver is currently still in critical condition and our best wishes go to driver, their family and colleagues. We so hope that the driver's luck continues and we hear good news very soon.

LBP would like to thank everyone who supported the driver to give them best chance possible. Without your action this would be a very different report!

LBP understands that a second Police incidents was underway elsewhere in Sussex and LBP are therefore very grateful to the Police for their continued presence on the business park, until the one-way system was reopened at lunchtime. 

Thank you to everyone who adjusted their travel plans on Wednesday and those who waited patiently whilst we redirected traffic.

Amazingly, this is not the first emergency incident that Chris Chapman has supported. A few months back, Chris was called to a colleague who had a heart attack at work.

LBP has a network of 17 defibrillators across the park for exactly these situations and are so grateful to support of LBP businesses, in sharing their resources for public access.

To view the Defibrillator Map please click here

We can't finish without sharing the following training just in case it helps support someone else in need. The British Heart Foundation offers the following free and clear online training:

• Learn how to do CPR in 15 minutes - please click here

• Understanding defibrillators - what they are and how to use them - please click here

LBP will update you further as more news is available.