Second crash in a week on ‘major’ road near Horsham sparks calls for safety measures

Mal Ansell, 26, has condemned the ‘shockingly dangerous bend’ on Rowhook Road at the Waterlands Lane junction after a collision there on Friday – the second in a week.

He said one of his vehicles, a crane lorry, slid on ice before rolling onto its side and is calling on the council to grit the road before another crash happens.

Mal added: “It’s quite a major road. It’s a major cut through.

“My initial reaction was thank god that [the minor crash] is all that happened.

“Damage to the vehicle – whatever – I’m insured. That’s not a problem.

“I’m angry that it happened, it shouldn’t have happened.

“I lost a day’s work. I’m just glad everyone’s okay.

“I feel lucky. That could well have been a fatality if not a few fatalities.

“There could have been a car oncoming. Something needs to be done.”

Mal is calling on the council to install safety measures and to tackle a stream which he said leaves the road covered in water and prone to ice.

He added: “Something needs to happen.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We are concerned to hear about any accident.

“Appropriate signs and road lining have been put in place to warn motorists about the bend itself. We have recently been made aware of an occasional water issue on the road and will review what options might be available to us.

“As a general comment, and with recent weather fluctuating between wet conditions to cold, we would urge people to be aware of the potential for ice to form on roads and to please take extra care if making an essential journey.”