Dear  members of World of Widewater (WoW) and all those interested in the Widewater Lagoon. 

As many will have noticed, the water level at Widewater Lagoon is very low at present.

The mitigation pipe (sea end) is currently blocked as is the outlet pipe (lagoon end). I on behalf of WoW have recently attended a zoom meeting and a lagoon on site meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency,  West Sussex County Council, Lancing Parish Council and Tom Rutland (MP) in order to facilitate a long and short term plan for the lagoon.

Whilst there is a true commitment from all parties concerned to protect the lagoon and attend to the blockages, reducing budgets and legal requirements are preventing a quick short term fix.

In addition to the problem with the water level, sadly the salinity level of the lagoon is currently very high which will affect normal marine life.  Where possible, please could residents put fresh water at the end of your gardens (low enough for the cygnet, swans and birds to reach) as this will help enormously with regard to the health of the wildlife at Widewater. The severity of the current situation is acknowledged by all. 

Some residents have sent an email of concern to the Lancing Parish Council CEO – Celia Price, Tom Rutland (MP) or The Environment Agency and this of course adds weight to the cause. 

Many thanks to all for your concern and please do not hesitate to contact me as and when the need arises.

Kind regards, Gill.

Gill Purnell Chair – World of Widewater (WoW)