Application for new 20mph highways scheme in Petworth successful

The zones where the new speed limit will apply will be put into place between 2024 and 2025 – much to the delight of Petworth Town Council which submitted the plea for a change.

In a statement, Liz singleton, chair of PTC said: “Petworth Town Council is delighted to have been informed that our Community Highways Scheme application for Petworth to be designated a 20 mph zone has been successfully short listed for the 2023/24 work programme, conditional on full County Council approval.

“The zone is at the heart of the town councils plans to improve road safety in Petworth and especially on North Street and Angel Street.

"The scheme will be designed by WSCC Highways in 2023/24 and should be built in 2024/25 as long as a technically compliant and affordable design can be agreed, and there are no unforeseen problems.

"The initial design phase includes a formal process of public consultation and legal orders.

“This is a long process, but on the positive side it will enable full consultation with residents not just on the principle of a 20 mph zone but also on the design details, especially the starting locations for the zone on North Street, Angel Street and Grove Lane.”

The go-ahead has also been given for speed limit policy changes which will help vulnerable road users and make active travel choices more attractive in the Rother Valley area.

Councillor Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: “There have been significant changes in the Highway Code to help pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians and our revised speed limit policy dovetails perfectly with this, focusing on helping vulnerable road users by making active travel choices more attractive.

“Higher speed limits that are normally applied to rural roads are also addressed in the policy changes. This will assist in the national drive for increased levels of active travel: by encouraging more walking and cycling, we can help to cut congestion, reduce carbon emissions, help improve people’s health and wellbeing and support the local economy.

“Active Travel is one of the key aspects of the West Sussex Transport Plan 2022 to 2036 , which underpins the Council’s approach to improving the transport network and dovetails with Our Council Plan.”