Progress towards the permanent memorial has been steady since the last update.

Following the public invitation for ideas for the permanent memorial, family and community members had an opportunity to consider suggestions into the start of 2016.

From the many ideas shared, four clear preferences emerged – artworks (with the focus strongly on a sculptural piece), benches for quiet reflection, plaques for remembrance and a memorial walk which would tie all of these elements together.

We have spoken to the Environment Agency who are keen to discuss how a walk taking in the eastern and western banks of the Adur can be incorporated within their Adur Tidal Walls design scheme. We are also asking the Old Shoreham Tollbridge Community Trust for their insight as to how the bridge could be meaningfully incorporated into the walk, ensuring that its history and heritage are respected, as well as reflecting its unique role in the aftermath of the tragedy.

With more clarity around the desires of the families and in principle support of the Environment Agency, we will now be identifying a number of designers and placemakers to approach with an outline proposal to design the individual elements of the walk, as well as the route’s overall experience. We will be asking for responses by the summer so that we can work with the families and community on a final draft design, which we are hoping to be able to preview by the time of the first anniversary of the tragedy.

Once the design concepts are in, we will be able to produce accurate ideas of costings with the accompanying funding plans to ensure that the memorial walk is created to the standards that we’d all expect.

Separate discussions are taking place with family members and the wider community to find a fitting way to mark the first anniversary in Shoreham and more information will be shared on that when it’s available.  If you have an idea for how you’d like to see the first anniversary marked, please do send us an email with your ideas.