Storrington residents protest against speeding traffic

Residents from Storrington, Sullington and Cootham made a stand against traffic issues which they say are affecting their wellbeing, as more than 500,000 vehicles drive through the three villages each month.

Around 70 people, including residents of Foxmead Court sheltered housing for the elderly, gathered in Storrington square on Saturday.

Neighbours put up some 70 flags saying “we love our village” and  fixed messages to a corkboard telling how the traffic affects their lives, with words such as "unsafe", "anxious" and "tired" appearing on there.

People living in the area are calling on drivers to abide by speed limits (Image: Claudia Fisher) Chants of “enough is enough, slow down” rang through the streets as residents pleaded with motorists, particularly HGVs, to reduce their speed.

Several councillors also attended the event, including Councillor Mark Cramer, chairman of Storrington and Sullington Parish Council and Councillor John Loney, chairman of its traffic and transport committee, and West Sussex County Council leader Paul Marshall.

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Louise Mosey, who lives in Pulborough Road (A283) in Storrington, said: “We are regularly woken by noisy HGVs which make our windows rattle. It is very stressful living here. The stream of traffic is never ending.

They say HGVs cause a particular issue (Image: Claudia Fisher) “The air quality is poor and every day the village’s children, elderly and our pets are put in danger. This has been going on for far too long and we have had enough. We need urgent action and we need it now.”

The group said more than 40 per cent of vehicles going through Storrington exceed the 30mph speed limit and that HGVs use the village as a cut through, not following the designated lorry route network recommended by West Sussex County Council.

Over the past few weeks, residents have been cleaning road signs, cutting back foliage that obscure signs, clearing around street crossing points and removing weeds from the centre of the village.

The hope is that this hard work will both boost Storrington’s strong community spirit and make the village feel more like a village, so visitors are more respectful when passing through.