Fatal crash near Horsham sparks call for new safety measures

Thousands of people have backed a call for new safety measures on a road near Horsham after a fatal crash.
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More than 3,500 people have signed a petition, started by Cheryl Wilde, urging West Sussex County Council to improve road safety on the A281 in Rudgwick.

The campaign was launched after a cyclist in his 20s died in a crash with a lorry at the Downs Link crossing last month.

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RUdgwick resident Cheryl said: “As a community this has affected us deeply and we cannot sit by allowing this to potentially happen again.

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“We are calling for better signage, warning all users of the popular Downslink of the approaching A281 and the steep, slippery slope that precedes it.

“We are asking for self-closing gates to be installed where the Downslink meets the A281 - forcing cyclists to have to stop.”

More visible signage warning drivers of the crossing is also needed, Cheryl added.

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She said: “The existing signs are vague and overgrown with trees. There is a dip in the road making the crossing a blind spot. A rumble strip on both sides of the road would help slow traffic.”

Cheryl added that her heartfelt sympathies went out to everyone involved in the incident.

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man who died on the A281 Guildford Road, Rudgwick, at the Downs Link crossing.

Police are carrying out an accident investigation and we await their findings.

“Meanwhile, additional temporary warning signage has been put up on the Downs Link, either side of the A281 crossing: this is in addition to the existing ‘road ahead’ signs.”