New 40mph speed limit has been approved for a road in Sussex village

An application for a Traffic Regulation Order to be imposed along Haven Road was submitted to West Sussex County Council by Rudgwick Parish Council.

The parish was concerned not only about the speed of some vehicles but also the safety of pedestrians using the road, which only has a pavement down one side – and in some areas no pavement at all.

The road runs from the A281 Guildford Road south to the A29 Stane Street.

While there is a 40mph section through the hamlet of Haven, the rest of the road was de-restricted.

A report from Tony Kershaw, the council’s director of law and assurance, said the route was categorised as being high risk, with four serious speed-related collisions and four ‘slight’ incidents in the last three years.

The order will also cover Naldretts Lane.

The council carried out a consultation with residents, receiving 16 comments of support and ten objections.

A petition signed by 21 residents was also presented by the parish council.

While some felt the restrictions were long overdue, other felt the speed limit should be lowered to 30mph in the areas where there were no pavements.

Some worried that imposing a 40mph limit on Naldretts Lane would actually see drivers speed up. A 20mph limit was suggested.

Responding to the concern, Matt Davey, the council’s assistant director for highway, transport & planning, said: “Vehicles which use Naldretts Road will be majority the residents and vehicle speeds will be low.

“The new restriction is a maximum speed limit, not a target. The proposed restriction is 20mph less than the current signed speed limit.”