Village fights for speed control

A petition calling for speed restrictions in Blackboys was presented to East Sussex County Council on Tuesday.

Local county councillor Chris Dowling handed over the petition with a document from Framfield and Blackboys Parish Council making safety proposals.

The proposals were supported by several hundred signatures and letters from villagers, many with horror stories of speed-related incidents.

Strength of feeling in the village was demonstrated when the parish council held a public meeting on traffic safety which was attended by nearly one hundred people.

The village is calling for the following action:

On the B2102 to Uckfield -

l Commence the 40 mph speed limit at Sharlands/Waldron crossroads on the B2192 in the east and terminate it beyond Stonebridge Lane on the B2102 in the west.

l Change the existing length of 40 mph limit in the centre of the village to 30 mph and extend it westwards to Tickerage Lane.

l From the end of the new 40 mph limit adopt a 50 mph speed limit westward to the existing 30 mph limit in Framfield.

On the B2192 to Lewes

l Continue the 40 mph speed limit from its commencement at Sharlands/Waldron crossroads through to Cider House Farm.

The parish council is also proposing traffic calming measures including 40 mph signs on the road surface, 'gateways' at the start of 40 mph limits, appropriate warning signs of approaching speed limits and double solid white lines on 40 mph sections.

The council also wants a change to the sign at the B2192/B2102 junction to route Uckfield-bound traffic away from the village High Street and towards the Uckfield by-pass.

The proposals will now be considered by the county council's highways department.