travel – Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council

Horsham Trafalgar Neighbourhood Council have been approached by Claudia Fisher, Horsham District councillor, to help tackle traffic matters in Storrington & Washington.

Storrington is a village where over 6 million vehicles pass through each year, and 40% of them speed. This traffic is affecting local resident’s health, safety and quality of life

A group of local residents have set up the non-political Storrington Traffic Group, a community voice. After a year of exploring every option, they believe a 20mph speed limit is the simplest, most cost effective way to cut pollution, reduce harm to people and wildlife, and ease traffic. They now need to show that there is public backing for the initiative.

Please sign the Storrington Traffic Group’s petition today to support a 20mph limit in Storrington and Cowfold – the two villages not only with the worst air quality in Horsham District but in the whole of West Sussex. Anyone who lives, works or studies in West Sussex can sign.

It’s not just about slowing drivers down – it’s about reducing through-traffic and making our streets safer, quieter, and healthier for everyone. Google Maps and sat navs at times will send drivers elsewhere if the journey takes just a bit longer.

The group already have nearly 750 online signatures and many more on paper – but need more to show clear community support.

Signing will help make Storrington and Cowfold better places to live – not just for now, but for the next generations.

Storrington Traffic Group Petition

Thank you,

PS: The petition closes at midnight on Sunday 6 July so don’t delay.

Background

Part of the boundary wall to the Springfield Park estate on North Parade collapsed at the end of 2023.

It is recognised that this is causing a significant degree of concern amongst residents, and real inconvenience, as access along the west side of the North Parade has not been available following the collapse.

There are several factors that impact upon the re-instatement of the wall including planning applications, design, tendering, contracting and construction timelines as well as how the work is to be funded.

The wall has a listed status which means that it must be re-instated and as far as possible, using the original materials. In addition, any new construction materials (e.g. mortar) must comply with specific requirements that match original materials specifications.

Over the course of the last few months, several activities have been ongoing. Firstly, a large tree needed to be removed and upon approval of the planning permission that was required, this has taken place.

A full survey of the site to assess how to reinstate the wall has also been completed and an outline design solution has been developed. This will include a reinforced retaining wall structure which would then be faced with the original stone wall materials.

Following the design completion, a planning application has been sought to approve the plans for re-construction and this application was approved on 9^th July 2024.

Going Forward

There will now be a tendering process. Contractors will submit bids to undertake the work, and this will be followed by a selection and contracting process.

All of this will take time and the availability of contractors to undertake the work will also be a factor in determining the timelines for starting the work.

It is likely that the above processes and activities, coupled with some season dependant construction constraints, will mean that rebuilding is unlikely to commence before Spring 2025.

Regarding funding, the liability for the costs of the re-instatement work to the Springfield Park estate wall on North Parade is not the responsibility of Horsham District Council or residents other than the owners of the wall itself.

Anthony Frankland

HDC Liberal Democrate Councillor – Trafalgar Ward