Fire-fighters practice skills at The Acres

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services recently visited The Acres in Horley to practice life saving exercises. 19 firefighters from Horley, Crawley and Turners Hill Fire Stations joined forces for a day of training in road traffic collision techniques and scene management.

Don Campbell, Firefighter at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Horley said: “The road we used at The Acres fitted our requirements perfectly; no traffic and a large embankment to the side. The incident we simulated was a road traffic accident between a car and a motorcycle that led to further collisions in the road, leaving one vehicle upside down in a ditch which then caught fire and another two separate incidents involving three other cars.”

Firefighter, Toby Gray added: “These training days are imperative for firefighters and it’s a great way of involving other fire stations and getting to know and work with other crews.”

The Acres is a joint project with Barratt Southern Counties, David Wilson Homes Southern and Wates and will ultimately provide a new community, set in over 129 acres on the north eastern edge of Horley. It will have its own primary school, a community centre, convenience store and parking for visitors as well as residents.

The convenience of The Acres location will be further boosted by the ‘Fastway’ bus service. It will link The Acres directly with Horley town centre, Crawley and Gatwick airport; the latter just four miles away. This intelligent, integrated transport system uses dedicated lanes and is designed to give an efficient alternative to the private car.

Horley provides excellent amenities, with a wide variety of high street and independent shops, restaurants, bars and its own theatre. Redhill and Reigate, both approximately five miles away, present other attractive destinations.

For relaxed days out, there are plenty of traditional pubs to discover in the surrounding villages, and a network of local footpaths lead to the beautiful open countryside of The Weald.

For parents with school-age children, the wide choice of state and independent primary and secondary schools in the vicinity includes the popular Oakwood School in Horley and St Bede’s in Redhill. East Surrey Hospital, the major hospital for East Sussex and North-West Sussex, is approximately three miles from the development.

Commuters will appreciate that Redhill is only ten minutes away from Horley Station and central London can be reached in under 30 minutes. The nearby M23 offers quick access to the motorway network, with the M25 one junction away.

Homes currently available from Barratt Southern Counties at The Acres include three-bedroom houses from £275,995, four-bedroom houses from £360,995 and five-bedroom houses from £530,995. For further information visit Barratthomes.co.uk.

Homes currently available from David Wilson Homes Southern at The Acres include four-bedroom houses from £346,995. For further information visit dwh.co.uk.