Sponsored by
Sort out our road – before even more people die
Road safety campaigners are pleading for a dangerous road through Sidlesham to be made safer after another fatal crash.
A man died after the car he was in crashed with a chiller lorry just north of Rookery Lane on the Selsey Road in Sidlesham on Friday.
Three other people had to be taken to hospital.
Residents have labelled the village an accident blackspot after a number of fatalities in recent years as well as frequent prangs on the busy road.
Chairman of Sidlesham Traffic Action Group (STAG) Adrian Lochhead has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of action taken to make it safer.
"I think the problem is this is not the first time we have had this conversation," he said.
"I think we all find it really frustrating. We keep raising this issue and where the accidents keep happening is where we say it's dangerous."
The Ford Galaxy car was travelling south when it collided with the chiller lorry at around 4am. The three men in the car had to be cut free by fire and rescue services, but one of them was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other two, and the driver of the lorry, were taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, one of them suffering pelvic injuries.
The road was closed until the afternoon while police carried out their investigation into the accident, with traffic being diverted through Keynor Lane.
Mr Lochhead added: "We have been trying to get something done – and nothing has been done at all.
"Every time an accident happens, the council comes down and look at it, and maybe talk to us, but nothing has changed at all.
"They said nothing can be done. We have pointed out solutions we think can be done and it all comes down to money in the end.
"We compare it with Hunston, where there are flashing signs and bollards, and as far as I know, no-one is getting killed there. The equation is obvious."
In October last year, 19-year-old Edson Bordin De Arruda died after his car hit a wall at the junction with Manhood Lane.
A car crashed into the home of Patricia Clark, opposite Keynor Lane, a year and a day before the fatal accident last week.
"It's just getting more stupid," she said. "It's time for action. We need an alternative road – that road was closed for hours. We need to stop all building in Selsey."
Secretary of STAG Dudley Pound said: "If the accident had happened a little further south, there would have been no way around. There would have been 12 hours of no traffic in and out of Selsey."
A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: "The highways department is currently looking at proposals, south of the collision site, to install vehicle-activated signs reminding motorists of the 30mph speed limit."
Police are appealing for crash witnesses to contact them by calling 0845 60 70 999.
What do you think? Send a letter to news@chiobserver.co.uk or leave a comment below.
Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news
To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click here to add yourself to our readers' map.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Horsham
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
