Petition to introduce traffic calming measures to Yapton village
Kate Waterkeyn started this petition to West Sussex County Council.
We want to petition West Sussex County Council, to introduce traffic calming measures and/or other “Village Enhancement” measures along the B2233 (Yapton Road/Burndell Road). According to their website, the County Council will review requests under the Community Highway Scheme in line with (among other things) current policy and, importantly, consultation with the community. If we can show that there is strong community support for traffic calming measures, hopefully they will grant our request.
The speed limit along this section of road is 30mph. However, it seems to us that a significant proportion of cars driving through the village are not adhering to the speed limit. This is probably for three (connected) reasons:
First, the signposting of the change in speed limit from 40mph to 30mph is inadequate. This is particularly the case when one approaches the village from the direction of Climping, where the 30mph sign has been knocked such that it faces away from the road, and the painted road markings are faded. In other parts of West Sussex, villages have much more prominent signage.
Second, there is no enforcement of the speed limit along this section of road (unlike, for example, Barnham, where there is a speed camera).
Third, the road is used as a cut through between the A259 and the A27 by non-residents who are seeking to avoid more congested routes through Lyminster and North Bersted. These road users either do not know or care that this road runs through the heart of a village community (and this is obviously exacerbated by the poor signage and lack of enforcement).
Why is this a problem? It affects our village in many ways:
First and foremost, safety. We all know that speed kills, but a small reduction in traffic speeds has a significant impact on the risk of fatalities. If a pedestrian is hit by a car travelling at 40 mph there is a 90% they will be killed; at 35 mph there is a 50% chance they will be killed; at 30 mph there is a 20% chance they will be killed; and at 20mph there is a 2.5% chance they will be killed.[1] Reduced speeds also reduce the risks of accidents occurring. A reduction in the average speed of vehicles of 1mph reduces accident frequency by between 4% and 6% on urban, residential and other roads with low average speeds.[2]
Second, noise pollution. The majority of village residents live on or close to the B2233 and we can all hear the traffic in our homes. The World Health Organization considers that noise is one of the top environmental hazards to both physical and mental health and well-being in Europe.[3] Faster traffic creates more noise, particularly over speeds of 30mph.[4]
Third, amenity and community. A walk around the village is, at present, not a pleasant experience. We (like many other residents in the village) have small children and a dog, and it can be nerve-wracking walking with them along the Yapton Road (particularly when the footpath is immediately adjoining the road or comes to an end requiring one to cross to the opposite pavement). We live only a small distance from the village shops, but we rarely walk there with the children because we are nervous of them walking near to such fast-moving traffic. This means that we are more likely to get in our car and go to shops and walking routes further from the village. That should not be the case in a small village such as Yapton: we would rather support our local businesses, enjoy walking in our local area, and reap the benefits of living in a village community.