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Welcome to our May newsletter, containing all the latest news and updates from across West Sussex.
 Since 2021, we've been establishing a network of road verges, selected by local communities, with the aim to attract pollinators. We now have a network of 58 nature verges in 18 locations across the county, known as Community Road Verges.
We also have three Pollinator Highways, in Selsey, Lancing and Sompting with a new one coming in Worthing later this year. These highways are longer stretches of verge which form nature corridors and often linked to neighbouring wildlife projects.
Nature and environment is one of the six areas of focus in our Climate Action & Adaptation Plan and we're keen to extend this network of pollinator-friendly verges further.
Would you like to see a wildlife-friendly verge in your neighbourhood? It's easier than you think!
Email us at active.communities@westsussex.gov.uk to find out how you can get involved.
 Building on a successful trial in 2024, three more School Streets are launching! By temporarily restricting motorised traffic near schools during drop-off and pick-up we're creating safer routes for walking, wheeling, and cycling. This initiative will also contribute to a healthier environment by reducing car journeys and encouraging active travel for our students and families.
The Mill Primary School, Crawley; St Joseph CofE Junior School, Chichester and River Beach Primary School, Littlehampton went live after the recent Easter break.
Pictured left to right: The Mill Primary School, Crawley and Thomas A Becket Junior School, Worthing.
 Ground breaking features that boost active travel and take into account the future effects of climate change have been unveiled as a new bypass officially opened last week.
The Lyminster bypass had been called for to provide easier and less congested journeys from the A27 to Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.
As with all major schemes, ways to protect the environment were considered during the planning stages, to ensure the impact of the new road was kept to a minimum.
The route of the bypass is on a floodplain, so its design incorporated modelling using the latest flood level and climate change scenarios. To future-proof the road and protect its surrounding environment, a 225-metre viaduct was constructed instead of a standard bridge.
Ponds have been created beside the viaduct to store rainwater run-off from the new road, these have been designed to attract wildlife including water voles which are known to exist further along the water courses.
The new road also features a Pegasus crossing so that horse riders, pedestrians, cyclists, and farm traffic can all safely cross the road at the same time - one of the first crossings of its kind in the UK.
A new shared footpath and cycle lane along the side of the road provides a car-free route into Littlehampton and a nearby new housing development for pedestrians and cyclists.
 Did you know you can visit our Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Ford to see first-hand how your household recycling is processed?
The MRF, run by Biffa on behalf of the county council, handles the mixed recycling from homes across the county. On a tour, you'll see how the advanced sorting systems separate different recyclable materials.
Tours are available Monday to Friday for schools, community groups and individuals in West Sussex at no charge. Each session includes a presentation, a guided tour and a chance to ask questions.
 Approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife. But your garden can help! A healthy lawn with some longer grass and wildflowers helps to tackle pollution, benefits wildlife and can even lock away carbon below the ground.
No Mow May is a national campaign from Plantlife that encourages us all to refrain from mowing our lawns during the month of May to boost biodiversity and support pollinators. This allows wildflowers to grow and develop fully, providing vital food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects.
Will you be taking part this year to support the biodiversity in your local area?
- Don't miss out! We want to hear your feedback on over 35 proposed electric vehicle chargepoint sites across West Sussex. The consultation will end on Sunday 16 May.
- With the recent warmer temperatures, its a good reminder to be Waterwise to reduce your household water consumption, reduce your bills and protect the environment. Join the free Waterwise webinar tomorrow (14 May), 12 to 1pm. Alternatively, read our tips for using less water on our Climate Action pages.
- We're proud to support The Big Fix which brings together repair cafes, volunteers and communities to help tackle climate change, cut costs and extend the lives of everyday items – from food processors to teddy bears. Bring your broken items to a local repair café to get fixed by skilled volunteers, while picking up practical skills in the process. Find out how to get involved and details of your nearest repair cafe.
- Buchan Country Park, in Crawley, has won the Green Flag Award, every year since 2010. It's an excellent place for walking, watching wildlife or enjoying a picnic. Download the Buchan County Park trail guide to start exploring!
- The Great Big Green Week from 7 to 15 June, is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. During the week, communities, schools, businesses, churches, mosques and more join together in a wave of support for action to protect the planet. Visit the Great Big Green Week website to find out what events are running where you live. Let us know if you're holding an event, and we can add it to our events page too!
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The High Weald Nature and Community Fund is open for new applications, offering funding for work that benefits nature and people across the High Weald National Landscape. Whether you're a community group, CIC, school, charity, church, Parish Council or other non-profit body who owns or manages land in the area. Grants range from £500 up to £20,000, with larger amounts available for large-scale, multi-year projects.
If you have any questions or want to share local climate action stories, email us at climatechange@westsussex.gov.uk.
Join our community of climate champions, can you add a new map pin to our Community Climate Action Map.
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