Traffic calming works commence despite concerns

Six weeks of work have commenced in response to long-standing concerns over motorists speeding down the residential road.

The scheme was first placed on the county council’s priority list in 2012 but was delayed after UKIP county councillor Trixie Hall opposed the scheme.

But she was outvoted by Conservative members of Worthing County Local Committee in June last year.

Mrs Hall said: “It has to be done and we realise, of course, that the roads around it are not going to like it and many people have contacted me about it.

“They have decided they are going to monitor the traffic afterwards to see the effect on the other roads.”

The scheme has been criticised by residents in surrounding streets, who believe the works will just shift the problem to their roads.

They bemoaned a lack of consultation and were supported by Mrs Hall in their objections.

Writing to the Herald this week, Chris Austin, of Exmoor Drive, said: “Given that surrounding roads are already plagued with speeding traffic and that the residents’ campaign for inclusion in the traffic calming works was rejected, it seems incredibly insensitive that they are now expected to endure six weeks of traffic misery.

“I have said before that if nothing is done to stop speeding traffic in the roads surrounding Durrington Hill there will be an accident and someone will be hurt. These works seem to make that even more likely.”

The project will include a raised platform at the junction with Whylands Avenue, a raised platform at the junction with Bramble Lane, a speed hump north of the junction with White House Place and a chicane at the southern end of the road.

Clearer signage will also be installed.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “Changes are being made to Durrington Hill in Worthing to make it safer for road users.

“West Sussex County Council is installing safety measures to slow traffic speeds.

“The traffic calming was agreed after residents’ concerns over speeding in the residential street.”

The works will take place Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 5.30pm, having started on Monday.

The road will be closed at times and progression of the works will be dependent on weather conditions.

Traffic will be diverted along Ivydore Avenue during the closure.

The scheme will cost £107,000.

Traffic in Exmoor Drive and Ivydore Avenue will be monitored before and after the traffic calming measures.

Further schemes will be explored if the works are proven to have increased traffic in neighbouring streets.

The CLC voted in favour of progressing the plans by a margin of five to two.

Mrs Hall was elected in 2013, after the original scheme was placed on the council’s priority list.