26 April 2025 OFFICIAL OPENING

Today we officially opened the boardwalk!

It is exactly one year ago today that we lost our former

Chairman Alan Hultquist, so a fitting date to officially open the

East Preston boardwalk. Thanks to all those that came along and 

supported us today and special thanks to Rob who cut the

ribbon.

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FEBRUARY 2025 BOARDWALK UPDATE

The boardwalk is now complete, it feels like a dream we

thought would never happen. We would like to thank everyone

for their support and in particular Roy Allen, as without him this

wouldn't have happened.

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BEACH BOARDWALK THANK YOU’S FROM SEA ROAD BEACH ACCESS LTD

Thanks to the following who all helped to realise this project:

• Disability Action Group for kicking it off and their continued support

• Roy for his passion, expertise and relentless commitment

• Sea Road Beach Access Ltd (SRBA) (not-for-profit company no 15269742)

           Mark Seager, Chairman SRBA

           Roy Allen, Director SRBA who designed and managed the project

           Russell Granat, Treasurer SRBA

• The volunteers that showed up in all weathers with a smile to help unload trucks

• Jim Dowler who built the assembly jigs and machined the tapered decking

• Cloud 9 Contractors who provided the digger and driver Ben to do the groundwork

• Zoë and Philip Steel who lent the Coastal Caravan Park compound for the storage and space to assemble the modules

• The team that assembled those modules over the winter and then installed the boardwalk in record time!

• The 100+ residents, friends and organisations who made generous donations towards the project

• The Ashfield Trust who provided over 50% of the funds

• The solicitor who provided free legal advice

• Over 50 supporters who carried all the material across the shingle 

• Over 10 volunteers working in all weathers to fabricate and install the boardwalk

• Amanda for some of the photos

• The wonderful, supportive, East Preston residents

  

                                    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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​​REACH THE BEACH - Access for All

Many people in East Preston support our vision of having a boardwalk constructed at the end of Sea Road with a viewing platform/seating area, to enable those with mobility problems to enjoy the beach and sea views and improve access for all.  Plans were originally drawn up in 2014 but rejected by Arun District Council at that time on the basis of insufficient structural information. 

This project is at last going ahead with revised plans drawn up by Roy Allen, planning permission obtained and fund raising underway.  For further information please contact SeaRoadBeachAccess@icloud.com.  

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East Preston Village toilets

In 2019 East Preston Parish Council refurbished the toilet block in the Village Hall car park and the Disability Action Group raised funds to provide equipment for a hoist assisted toilet with disabled access.  We raised the money over three years by running quiz nights, stalls and tombola's at local events, and received donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals through our crowdfunding page.  Unfortunately, the present door is rather heavy for an unaccompanied wheelchair user; the Parish Council is aware of our concerns and are currently seeking a solution.

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An ongoing project is compiling a survey of East Preston, highlighting the problem areas that people with disabilities and mobility problems face regarding access and safety issues, e.g. uneven paths, insufficient or uneven dropped kerbs, paths with overhanging shrubbery, heavy doors making shops inaccessible and many other problems.  If you have experienced any access or safety problems yourself please contact us.

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FUTURE PROJECTS​​​

• Improving access to the Village Green

• Road/Pavement Improvements:  To identify improvements needed in the Village to ensure safety for the disabled and to liaise with the appropriate authorities.          

       

PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR MEETINGS AND FIND OUT MORE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A DISABILITY, JUST AN INTEREST IN MAKING OUR VILLAGE MORE ACCESSIBLE.