Campaign continues for action over ‘boy racers’ on roads around Horsham

Earlier this year, a petition called for urgent action over organised car meets and reckless driving on the A264 and A24.

Southwater councillor Alex Jeffery says residents remain concerned about anti-social driving on the A24 and A264, with campaigners pushing for measures including speed and average-speed cameras.

Mr Jeffery is a Liberal Democrat who sits on West Sussex County Council, for Southwater and Nuthurst. He is also a district councillor for Southwater South and the Shipley Ward.

He said residents had been reporting the problems for months and that Sussex Police were already aware of them.

In a post to the Southwater Village Help & Info group, on Facebook, the councillor said: “Deeply disappointed by the response I've received from the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner's office over the ongoing street racing on the A24.

“Residents have been reporting this for months. We already know Sussex Police are aware of the problems. What I asked was what more is actually going to be done about it.”

Mr Jeffery said he had also been ‘advised to pursue average-speed cameras’ with West Sussex County Council.

This was ‘despite making clear in my original letter that I am already doing exactly that’.

He also questioned the lack of a clear answer about whether residents should be expected to gather evidence themselves.

“There was also no real answer on residents being expected to provide registration numbers or identifying evidence themselves,” he said.

“I’ll be going back to the commissioner’s office. Residents deserve more than being told the problem is known about, they deserve and need action.”

The office for police commissioner told the councillor that Katy Bourne had been in contact with Sussex Police and received an update on the measures being taken.

An email read: “It is appreciated that the speeding on the A24, the noise that ensues and the dangers that this poses to other drivers and to residents is recognised. I have been in touch with Sussex Police about these problems and have received the following feedback.

“It is encouraging that the A24 is already known to the specialist roads policing and fatal five teams, with patrols, enforcement activity and safety camera deployments taking place. Your concerns have also been passed to the local neighbourhood policing team so that they can continue to monitor the situation and consider appropriate activity.

“In addition to enforcement, it may be worth continuing to pursue the potential for average speed cameras with West Sussex County Council. These can provide a further deterrent to persistent speeding and may complement the enforcement activity being undertaken by Sussex Police.”

The PCC's office has pointed out that road safety, anti-social behaviour and road noise are among the issues raised most frequently through recent focus groups and surveys.

It said these concerns were among the reasons Mrs Bourne called for the launch of the Fatal Five Unit, which focuses on tackling the main causes of fatal and serious collisions.

The office also said it had been listening to calls for speed cameras and average-speed cameras and was in discussions with local authorities, National Highways and Sussex Police about what could be done to address the issues raised by Mr Jeffery.

In March, Chief Inspector James Davidson said Sussex Police were aware of residents’ concerns.

He said: “Our neighbourhood policing team and officers from our roads policing unit and fatal five unit carry out patrols to ensure we deter dangerous driving and seek to prosecute offenders.

“We also work alongside partner agencies as part of Operation Hubcap to tackle car meets through the warmer months.

“We continue to issue community protection warnings that require those identified to change a pattern of behaviour if it is negatively impacting on the local community’s quality of life.

“If anti-social behaviour continues, we can take further action if it is required.

“I would encourage anyone with concerns about anti-social behaviour to report it to us online, quoting Operation Hubcap.”

But Mr Jeffery's latest comments suggest he wants more detail about what that action will mean for residents on the ground.

The concerns come after repeated reports of late-night car meets around the A24 and A264.

Residents have previously described drivers carrying out skidding, burnouts, drifting and handbrake turns around roundabouts.

A local resident also previously described being involved in an accident while travelling south along the A24 as a ‘truly frightening experience’, adding that those involved felt “lucky to come out unhurt”.

County councillor Sam Raby has previously said residents in Colgate, more than a mile away, could hear the revving of engines and screeching tyres from drifting around roundabouts.

He said people in Kilnwood Vale, Faygate and Colgate were fearful of using the A264 on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Horsham MP John Milne has also previously called for action, saying the groups involved were ‘well known by authorities’ and that attempts to date had failed to stop the ‘root cause of the problem’.

District councillor Hannah Butler said: “Despite over two years of work with Sussex Police and PCC Katy Bourne, anti-social driving and organised car meets on the A264 near Kilnwood Vale are escalating again.”

To support the campaign, visit: https://www.horshamlibdems.org.uk/stop-street-racing

The PCC’s office also pointed towards a recent public survey.

A newsletter, written by Mrs Bourne read: “I am pleased to launch my annual Safer in Sussex survey, giving residents across our county the opportunity to share their views on community safety, the policing service they receive and what could help them feel safer where they live.

“Hearing directly from residents is one of the most important parts of my role as your Police & Crime Commissioner. The feedback you provide helps me act as your voice within policing, ensuring that the issues that matter most to you are raised directly with the Chief Constable and her senior leadership team.

“Every response helps me to build a clearer picture of the issues affecting residents across Sussex and supports efforts to make our county safer for everyone.

“The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and will remain open until Friday, October 9.

“Your voice matters – please do take part and have your say by clicking here.”