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Lorry ban in Petworth can be enforced
Town councillors have been assured the ban on lorries using Petworth as a through north-south route is legally enforceable.
West Sussex County Council officer Ian Moorey told Petworth Town Council: "HGVs are not entitled to go north and south through Petworth unless they are loading or unloading. There is a legal traffic order in place."
His comments contradict a claim made to the council last month by Police Community Support Officer Ian Luxford that the ban on lorries over 7.5 tonnes in weight was only advisory and there had to be access through the town.
Councillors and residents attending the meeting were incensed. They declared the 140,000 recently spent by the county on lorry ban signs in and around the town had been completely wasted.
Mr Moorey, the county's team leader for safety engineering who was closely involved in consultation with the town council, and the implementation of the new signage scheme, was invited to this month's meeting to explain the situation.
While conceding the scheme was not perfect, he insisted: "All the signs are there. The traffic regulation order is in place.
"Enforcement is a matter for the police. You will have to take it up with the police."
Residents in the public gallery and council members were, however, not prepared to let Mr Moorey off the hook.
They told him signage at the Welldiggers pub junction of the Kingspit Lane lorry route - which is meant to take non-delivery HGV traffic around the town – was confusing.
Lorry drivers arriving at the junction saw a sign directing HGVs into Petworth via Angel Street without expressly indicating that any vehicle over 7.5 tonnes in weight was banned unless it was delivering.
Angel Street resident John Morgan said: "We get lorries 80ft long in Angel Street having to reverse. 140,000 worth of signs have not solved that problem. They are not delivery lorries."
Council member and Petworth farmer Richard Chandler told Mr Moorey: "We have a lot of lorries collecting and delivering to us.
"They come up from the A27 at Chichester and almost invariably they get flummoxed at the Welldiggers and ring up to ask me where they should go.
"There is no doubt that the drivers are unsure."
Neville Fox, chairman of the council's traffic and planning committee, declared: "All you need is a sign indicating nothing over 7.5 tonnes except for access and the job is then done."
Judy Howard, another council member, called for a meeting at the junction between Mr Moorey, town council representatives and the police to discuss how the signage there could be improved.
The move won the support of Petworth's county member, Chris Duncton, who said that some 'extra effort' was definitely needed.
Mr Moorey responded he was willing to look at the junction signage again, although he cautioned the county council would not be prepared to spend much.
"We have spent a lot of money on what we have done, whether you like it or not," he said.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
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Wind direction: East
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