Deadly Climping road in need of a safety overhaul

David Edwards said action was needed where the B2233 Yapton Road met the A259.

He was a friend of Robert Giacopazzi who was killed on his motorbike at the junction in August, 2013.

Car driver Dawn Devine was found guilty last month of causing his death by careless driving.

Mr Edwards, Arun district councillor for Felpham East, said the outcome of the court case should prompt a fresh look at the site.

“The county council has a duty to ensure our roads are safe and clearly this junction is not.

“It has, to my knowledge, claimed the lives of at least two people and the number of near misses is huge.

“Simply by stopping people turning right on to the A259 would make the road safer and installing a speed camera on the approach to the bend would control the speed into the junction,” he said.

“It was made clear at the trial that Robert was not travelling at excessive speed.

“However, I’ve seen many vehicles come around that bend going significantly faster than 40mph.

“I urge the county council to look at this again because it will happen again. It’s not a question of if, merely a question of when.”

Mr Edwards said he had asked the county council to act soon after the death of Mr Giaocopazzi.

“Their response was to cut back trees and foliage and reveal the 40mph sign that flashes up to let drivers know the speed limit.

“I was further informed that the county council felt that no further work was required to make the junction safer.

“Given the verdict in the court case, I sincerely hope that the county council will re-look at their decision to classify this awful junction as not dangerous,” he said.

A council spokesman said it had no plans to ban right turning traffic at the junction. He said: “The junction is within a 40mph speed limit and has adequate visibility. Vegetation clearance is maintained.

“Over the last five years, there has only been one other reported injury accident involving a vehicle turning right from the B2233.”

That section of the A259 had also seen several road safety schemes, including a safety programme in 2005 that introduced the 40mph limit between Yapton Road to Ferry Road.