Safety fears after cars clog roads near Storrington beauty spot

People living in Water Lane in Storrington say that the area has been turned into a ‘carpark’ for large numbers of visitors to a recently-opened section of Sandgate Park.

Community Speedwatch team leader Chris Smith, who lives nearby, said: “I am seriously concerned about safety issues.”

He said that all verges and pavements were frequently blocked by cars forcing pedestrians and wheelchair users onto an already-restricted roadway.

He said last week many residents’ driveways were obstructed “making any exiting/entering from their properties both difficult and dangerous.

“Passing cars, many of which continue to ignore the 40mph limit of this rat-run, were forced to halt abruptly to avoid traffic from the opposite direction or foolishly attempted to squeeze past before having to reverse.

“At the same time walkers often with children in buggies and/or dogs were attempting to access the park from each direction of Water Lane while others accessing the park from Sullington Warren had to run the gauntlet of crossing this busy road.

“Traffic travelling north from the blind bend was a particular hazard.”

He said there had been a number of near-misses and a serious accident happened in the area on Friday which “graphically illustrated the real dangers of this situation being allowed to continue.”

He said the new Sandgate extension was ‘a real leisure bonus to the area’ but that off-road parking needed to be provided.

He has written to landowners - quarry firm Cemex - asking if car park can be built.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for West Sussex County Council, which is responsible for highways, said: “We have been made aware of the situation in Storrington and have been in talks with the Police, Storrington Parish Council, Horsham District Council and resident representatives to see what can be done.

“We do want the public to enjoy this open space and we politely request they think of the needs of others if they park in this area.

“This is a complex issue and the groups involved are currently exploring possible alternatives to remedy the parking issues that are being experienced by residents.”

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