Call for blanket 40mph speed limit on West Sussex’s country roads

Amanda Jupp (Con, Billingshurst) made the statement at a West Sussex County Council North Horsham County Local Committee late last month where she expressed her residents’ frustration at speeding.

While members echoed her concern about road safety, some, including Peter Catchpole (Con, Holbrook) questioned if such a measure could be enforced by police.

Mrs Jupp said: “I’m coming under increasing pressure from residents in my communities about speeding and I really can’t believe I’m the only area.

“Bear in mind the development in Billingshurst and Broadbridge Heath currently where I live we are a rat run to avoid the build up of traffic on the A264 and A24.

“With the A24 going to a single lane I think there will be even more pressure on the rat runs.”

Nigel Dennis (LDem, Horsham Hurst) said: “If you go for a blanket ban it could dampen the impact at the places where it’s really needed.”

Mrs Jupp replied: “I hear what you are saying but I really feel we have to educate people and unless we have consistency it’s very difficult. My feeling is how much longer are we going to ignore these issues?”

Liz Kitchen (Con, Warnham and Rusper) added: “The other problem I get from motorists is they do not know what the speed limit is because it jumps from 40 to 60 to nothing.

“I would frankly support that and I equally agree we should at least have the debate.”

This follows a number of fatalities on Horsham district roads last year.

Brad Watson (Con, Nuthurst and Southwater), chairman of the committee, asked for a report to be prepared on the issue.