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VOTE: Call for 20mph speed limit to make Petworth safer
Calls have been made for a 20mph speed limit amid claims safety measures taken so far have not improved traffic dangers.
The county council recently spent 140,000 on new lorry ban signs around the town, but residents claim these have been a complete waste of money.
West Sussex County Council's highways manager Steve Johnson has so refused to consider the plea for a new lower limit in Angel Street, claiming the accident record for Petworth showed no speed-related incidents and a lower speed limit would not improve on what was 'an excellent safety record'.
But chairman of Petworth Town Council's traffic and planning committee Neville Fox said they were pursuing 20mph speed limits across the town.
A meeting is now being arranged between members of his committee, WSCC highways boss Mr Johnson, the county council's portfolio holder for traffic Derek Whittington, Petworth's county councillor Chris Duncton and Sussex police traffic superintendent Stephen Barry.
Long-time campaigner for traffic safety measures John Morgan told the town council meeting the 140,000 spent on signs had not been worthwhile.
"The situation in Angel Street is very much the same as it was a year ago," he said.
"I have had a letter from the county council saying they don't recognise there is a speeding problem in Angel Street – that is after they put speed strips in the road which established cars were doing 50 mph in a road which is basically a horse and cart track.
"In the widest parts it is barely 13ft to 14ft and there are no adequate pavements.
"Still we have lorries, HGVs, aggressive white van drivers who don't give way and when we ask for 20mph speed limits, which seem to be the cheapest, simplest way of giving police some power to at least stop people, we are refused.
"The police say it is 'when' not 'if' someone is hurt and for the county council to trot out glibly there are no problems because there has not been a fatal accident, is just not acceptable."
Town councillor Tony Sneller said: "The powers-that-be fail to recognise the issue is not just physical safety, it's a well-being issue of psychological trauma and fear."
Cllr Duncton said he was disappointed the town council felt the lorry signs were a waste of money. "I think they are a massive improvement, I feel we have done a reasonable job and have helped out," he said.
But he conceded Angel Street was an exception and Petworth did have traffic issues.
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
