Building boom

I hope I can give them some cheer. From my knowledge of other large coastal infrastructure projects, they should have a boom. The works themselves will be of great interest to many people, not just in Littlehampton and Sussex, but nationwide, and many will want to come and see the work in progress.

For instance, in Sidmouth some years ago, there was similar doom-mongering for local traders ahead of sea wall defence works which required much of the seafront to be closed to traffic for many months. In the event, there was a tourist boom – at weekends especially, car parks were jammed and you couldn’t move in the place, let alone find a seat in a café for a cup of tea!

The media, of course, played a large part in this and the Gazette has already indicated that it will be featuring the progress of the project frequently. Local and national television channels should also pick up on it, and national newspapers.

But a lot will depend on what the spectators get to see when they arrive – it’ll need to be good, otherwise they won’t come several times. Viewing areas are to be created, apparently – but I bet Arun District Council won’t suspend parking charges for the duration on the West Bank, too.

We must demand that the current oppressive health and safety culture doesn’t prevent our enjoyment and admiration for a major marine engineering project employing some extraordinary and spectacular machinery and equipment (I was told the pile-driver weighs over 100 tons)

Taxpayers are funding this – we are entitled to watch our money being spent.

John Morris

Maltravers Drive

Littlehampton