West Sussex based actor Hugh Bonneville has joined local residents in the campaign to save Kithurst Hill Car Park from closure.
The actor, who has starred in Downton Abbey, Paddington and Notting Hill, made public his support for the petition signed by thousands of local people to keep the car park at the heart of the South Downs open.
The campaign recently secured a lifeline to keep the community asset open after West Sussex County Council announced that its closure would be deferred until January 2023 to allow time for community organisations to properly explore options to keep the car park open.
Bonneville, who is also a Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, contacted Arundel & South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, to offer his full support to the campaign, saying:
“I’m pleased to hear that efforts are underway to prevent the closure of the car park at Kithurst Hill, Storrington. As a pilgrim of the South Downs Way I know how important access to the Downs are.
Being able to get out in the open with bikes, doggies and creaking knees (mine are anyway) improves mental and physical well-being for local communities and visitors alike.”
Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It’s brilliant to have Hugh Bonnevile’s support as one of the counties highest profile residents for the community led campaign to keep Kithurst Hill car park open.
With much local goodwill and community involvement, I am optimistic that the threat of closure will be overturned.”
