Derek Deedman

Derek Deedman is supporting local residents calling on the County Council to investigate a strategic approach to the traffic problems in Blackstone Lane. These problems have been made worse in recent years with traffic from more business workshops in the Lane.

Local people also want action on the increasing use of Blackstone Lane as a cut through to/from the A23 towards the coast. Boundary walls have been knocked down by trucks which are clearly too large to negotiate the corners, whilst bollards to protect the walls have not always been successful.

The problem has been made worse with the use of ‘Sat Nav’ devices indicating the use of Blackstone Lane. The Ordnance Survey (OS) are looking into new Sat Nav devices, which will be coming out with better data and the option to input the type of vehicle being used. The OS have been asked by the County Council to ensure that the data for Local Authorities has been mapped to show the restrictions on such routes as Blackstone Lane in West Sussex.

It is felt by some that the Lane is too narrow in parts for long vehicles to navigate safely whether they are passing through or delivering to premises in the Lane. Although there is an enforceable 6′6″ width restriction, which means that any vehicles using this purely as a short cut are doing so illegally, it is rare for the Police to take action. In any event some vehicles are using Blackstone Lane to gain access to property along the Lane, and these would be exempt from the width restriction. Some further advisory signs, which could be installed, ‘unsuitable for long vehicles’ or similar, without the need for a traffic regulation orders, are being investigated, but, unfortunately, these would also not  be an enforceable restriction.

It is understood that over the years various ideas (speed restrictions, speed bumps etc) have been suggested by local residents with variable enthusiasm. They have also proposed that enforcing a single lane with passing spaces (as in Ditchling in East Sussex) or making the entrances to the Lane at both ends noticeably narrow might be an option.

Derek Deedman  is asking local people to let him know whether they agree with any of the possible solutions mentioned above to reduce the traffic problems in Blackstone Lane or have any other ideas.