Much loved view restored from Duncton Hill

The team working to restore the view PICTURES BY KATE SHEMILT

It was ten years since tree growth was last cut back and the view from the Rees Jefferys view point on Duncton Hill had been obstructed.

Rees Jefferys led a campaign, in the 1930s, to seal roads in the UK so they were better for road users and reduced road noise. He was also responsible for developing the classification of the UK’s road system and was described by Lloyd George in 1937 as ‘the greatest authority on roads in the United Kingdom and one of the greatest in the world’.

Retiring parish council chairman Marie Bracey told the Observer the view named after him from Duncton Hill, was one of the few easily accessible by car and to ensure residents and visitors alike could once again enjoy it, the parish council had organised the community project.

“We are working closely with John Mayes, a keen walker and villager. We have financial support from the South Downs National Park (SDNP) and the Rees Jefferys Road Fund and practical help from West Sussex County Council (WSCC)to clear undergrowth, prune, lop and in some places cut down trees so that the sight lines from this very important and well used View Point at the top of Duncton Hill are restored.

“We have a team of local volunteers who are helping the WSCC team led by Darren Rolfe, senior community solutions officer .

“It’s a great project and will give good results”

Around 15 trees interfered with the new of the Weald and beyond, the largest of which was a mature beech with a girth of some three feet. In addition undergrowth of brambles and creepers had covered much of the top part of the slope below the view point.

“This unsightly tangle also contained some discarded rubbish,” said Marie.

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