Brighton's Green Council Apologises After Destroying Part Of Europe's Oldest Green Wall

Saturday, 24 April 2021 08:58

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

Brighton's Green council has been forced to apologise after destroying part of Europe's oldest (and longest wall).

In March, the local authority cut back part of Green Wall at the end of Duke's Mound - but it has now admitted it 'should not have been cut down in this way'.

An investigation is underway to find out what happened - after the cutting was 'not raised' with the local authority - but was 'arranged' by council staff.

The cutting was allegedly deemed appropriate after a road safety audit found the greenery could cause collisions.

A statement said:

'We’d like to apologise to our residents for the way we went about cutting back the stretch of Green Wall at the bottom of Duke’s Mound in March.

'It should not have been cut down in this way. We are very sorry about this, and an investigation is underway to find out how this happened.

'As part of the Black Rock regeneration project a road safety audit was carried out. This found that the greenery limited visibility and may result in collisions between vehicles and pedestrians.

'The cutting back of the greenery was not raised with councillors. It was arranged by council staff as an operational requirement, stemming from the road safety audit.

'Councillors have requested an urgent review into how the excessive cut-back happened, what lessons need to be learnt from it, and what work is being done to re-establish the greenery. Officers will report back to councillors on this as soon as possible.

'We recognise that we should have engaged with Brighton & Hove Building Green when it became clear that this vegetation needed to be cut back. We have spoken to them to apologise and ensure further engagement in future, and we are grateful for their involvement.

'We would emphasise that although there are plans to build a cycle lane here, the recommendations of the road safety audit were made in relation to pedestrian safety with regard to traffic in general and nothing to do with the cycle lane in particular.'

Brighton Green Council have made an apology after cutting down part of Europe’s oldest and longest green wall. ...
Posted by Sussex Coast Incident News Page on Friday, April 23, 2021

More from Sussex News

Funding Available For Tree Planting In Chichester District as National Tree Week Begins

Chichester District Council is reminding landowners that funding is available to support tree planting projects across the Chichester District as part of its ‘Tree Chichester District’ initiative.
West Sussex Firefighters And Emergency Services Carry Out Training Exercise In Chichester Harbour

Firefighters have completed a joint training exercise with HM Coastguard, RNLI, and Chichester Harbour Masters Team to test their procedures in the event of a serious boat fire in Itchenor.
Shoreham Lifeboat’s Festive Look Boosted By Family-Run Business

A Brighton garden centre has declared itself 'delighted' to have been able to spread some festive cheer with a donation to Shoreham Lifeboat station.
Final Touches Being Made To £2m Sussex Wastewater Site Upgrade

A major improvement scheme at a West Sussex wastewater treatment works is being finalised to protect and enhance the local environment.
AllSaints Founder To Host Sustainable Fashion Show In Brighton To Raise Money For Homelessness In City

AllSaints Founder Stuart Trevor to host sustainable fashion show on Brighton i360 to raise money for homelessness in city
Chichester Community Warden Helping Fight Against Fraud This Christmas

A community warden at Chichester District Council is helping residents and businesses fight against fraud this Christmas.
Wealden Council Calls For Government Rethink On Winter Fuel Payment

Wealden councillors have called on the government to reconsider its decision surrounding the Winter Fuel Payment.
Snowy Protest At Lewes County Hall Calls For Fossil Fuel Divestment

Residents of East Sussex and Brighton & Hove braved snow and near-zero temperatures this morning (Thursday) to stage a 90-minute 'Divest for climate justice!' protest outside County Hall in Lewes.
Local MP Tours Firefighters’ Centre In Littlehampton

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths visited Fire Fighters Charity’s Marine Court in Littlehampton last Friday, meeting with firefighters, service users, and charity staff to learn about the health and wellbeing support provided to fire and rescue service personnel, some of whom are recovering from injury and illness.
Former Portslade Scout Leader Convicted Of 79 Child Sex Offences

A Hove man whose jobs gave him repeated access to children has been convicted of dozens of child sex offences.