MP backs calls for speed limit reduction in Sussex town

Campaigners say many drivers and bikers on the A272 fail to slow down when they reach Petworth.

Petworth Community Speedwatch Group

The Petworth Community Speedwatch group is calling for the speed limit to be dropped to 20mph to combat anti-social driving on the town’s narrow roads.

Surrey Weeks, a member of the Community Speedwatch group, said: “The amount of debris there is I can’t believe someone hasn’t been killed or seriously injured.

“Last Sunday was so bad it was like a war zone. We have really highlighted just how dangerous these streets are.

“A lot of children and parents walk down the street to school, and I don’t want children to be hit by flying debris.”

Mrs Weeks noted that the group was particularly concerned with dangerous drivers on North Street posing a risk to pedestrians due to the narrow pavements.

The group is also concerned about noisy bikes riding through the town as well as HGV drivers who have been known to divert through the narrow streets.

Petworth is on the A272, meaning it has a lot of traffic cutting through the South Downs.

A spokesman for West Sussex County Council said: “We are currently examining that policy as part of a Road Safety Framework review. This is with the aim of making it easier to introduce lower speed limits where appropriate and to explore other traffic management measures that could help reduce serious-injury collisions. 

“This work is ongoing and due to go to public consultation in the autumn. Until a new policy is introduced, all speed limit applications will be assessed against the current policy criteria and, where this is met, a lower speed limit could be pursued.

The Speedwatch group has the support of Andrew Griffith, who recently visited campaigners in the town.

Mr Griffith, MP for Arundel and South Downs, said: “I was a willing volunteer joining the very early start with the Petworth Community Speedwatch Group who are doing a terrific job in monitoring and reporting those drivers who fail to drive with due care through the very narrow streets of this ancient town.

North Street has been highlighted as a particularly problematic road for dangerous driving

“Sadly, once again, it is a minority of anti-social riders which give the great British motorcycling fraternity a bad name.

“I endorse the town’s campaign for a 20mph and am asking Sussex Police and West Sussex County Council to support it.”