Speed limit plea for Itchingfield

Dena Smith, who lives in the area, has started an e-petition to recognise Itchingfield as a village, so the ‘excessive’ and ‘dangerous’ 60mph speed limit on the A264 towards Barns Green can be halved.

She said: “In 2010, West Sussex County Council made an amendment and said all villages are entitled to a 30mph speed limit, which we don’t have, so I am fighting the fight for Itchingfield to be entitled to the 30mph speed limit. So what I am mainly trying to do is have Itchingfield recognised as a village, which I feel we are.”

The A264 runs through the area, close to Itchingfield Primary School and a number of homes.

Dena said: “There is a woman who has lived here for over 20 years - she said this road is very treacherous and in the winter they come ploughing down the hill and into her garden.

“She said cars have been just outside her lounge window. Because the school is tucked away on a side road there is one school zone sign right outside the gate - people driving on the road would not even know there is a school there.”

Dena explained the stretch of road contains three ‘very sharp’ bends that come up suddenly, when vehicles could be travelling at 60mph. There is also no signage to state when vehicles enter the Itchingfield area.

She added: “It concerns me every time my son wants to ride his bike to the train because there is nothing to keep children safe.

“I stood out on the road to try to take video - my feet were just on the tarmac and you can see how close I am to the road when a lorry comes flying down.

“It is pretty dangerous and they do excessive speeds all the way to Barns Green.”

To view and sign the e-petition, visit http://epetition.westsussex.public-i.tv/epetition_core/view/Itchingfield