Worthing residents fed up with ‘enormous’ lorries using their road

Sarah Meachin said cars were being damaged on a weekly basis by lorries travelling down King Street in order to access Alsford Timber wood yard.

In the 27 years she had lived in the road, she said her car had been damaged ‘at least seven or eight times’ – to the point where she has now installed cameras at her home.

Once her car, her son’s car and her husband’s van were all damaged in the same day.

“Cars are constantly being hit by lorries,” she said. “You can’t go a week without a car being hit.

“It’s just awful. The lorries are too big for the road.”

The pavement was also damaged by the vehicles, which had to mount it in order to make the turn into the wood yard, she said.

“The pavement is just a mess,” Mrs Meachin said. “The council are constantly having to come and repair it.”

Years ago there was another entrance to wood yard from Northcourt Road, but this was closed off after a block of flats was built, leaving King Street as the only access point.

And while lorries are supposed to enter from the south end of the road, which is slightly easier to manoeuvre, Mrs Meachin said many still come in from the north end – often ending up getting stuck.

“It’s just unbelievable to watch,” she said. “It’s an absolute nightmare.

“The residents are so up in arms about it. We have to do something about it.”

A letter has now been sent to residents from councillor Bryan Turner, which seeks feedback on a proposal to ban HGVs from the road.

He said this ‘would likely require physical measures to be self-enforcing’ and would also mean that larger delivery lorries, home removal lorries and waste collections vehicles may not be able to use the street.

Neil Fuller, the managing director or Alsford Timber, said: “Alsford Timber are aware that West Sussex County Council are in preliminary discussions with local residents over commercial vehicle access to our yard at King St in Worthing.

“Having previously had a positive understanding with our local council representatives, we welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues and proposals as and when we are consulted to do so.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “Both the Local Member and Area Highways Manager are aware of the access issues in King Street, Worthing.

“They have actively engaged with residents with a view to explore possible solutions and this work is ongoing.

“It should be stressed that any proposal will require clear evidence of community support.”