My wife, Ros, who was a Lib Dem candidate for Steyning at the Horsham District Elections last year, reports that once again the illegal parking in the High Street is causing chaos this afternoon.

Despite Horsham District Council operating the Civil Parking Enforcement Scheme on behalf of West Sussex County Council, their low level of enforcement in this part of the District leaves much to be desired.

Ros will now be chasing up the Tory District Councillor to honour his pledge to local people during the elections - to ensure that Horsham District carries out it’s functions in the south of the District to the same standard as in Horsham Town. It is clearly not doing so when it comes to this illegal on-street parking - so when will the Tory Cabinet Member concerned carry out his responsibilties?

Concern quite rightly continues to be raised about the anti-social driving activities of the few who drive along the pavement with no regard for the safety of pedestrians, children in particular, walking along the Shooting Field spur road entrance to Steyning Primary and Grammar Schools.

These drivers can be reported to Operation Crackdown (anti-social driving). This can be done on their website (or via the link on this site). If people report the anti-social drivers action every time, after 3 complaints about the same driver the Police will issue a warning and if such behaviour continues the vehicle can be seized.

It is possible that local people will raise their concerns with the Press, although both the Parish Council and I are urging action by the County Council to prevent this anti-social driving. The County is currently insisting on action by both the Grammar School and Primary School on Travel Plans and on reduced parking permits for the Grammar School before installing bollards or taking other preventative measures.

I am continuing to put pressure on the Travel Plan/Safe routes to school team to resolve this dangerous situation, whilst the Primary School has set up a Travel Plan Group of Governors to prepare a Travel Plan, and the Grammar School is reviewing the layout of their car park to enable more people to park on site.

Following reports of illegal parking on yellow lines in Saltings Way and Pound Lane, Upper Beeding; Horsham Council officers (acting under delegated powers from the County Council) have told Derek Deedman that they will be giving greater attention in future to the illegal parking in those roads.

Residents are rightly concerned that much of this illegal parking is hazardous and could result in accidents if such parking is not prevented.

Operation Crackdown, which has been a great success in removing abandoned vehicles from local neighbourhood, has been extended to try to tackle anti-social drivers.

A representative of Operation Crackdown was at the Chanctonbury County Local Committee on Tuesday to explain the new campaign which has been in operation for a few months.

You can tell Operation Crackdown about anti-social driving you have seen by using the new Sussex-wide Operation Crackdown website (using the link from this website).

Speeding, thoughtless driving or riding, under-age drivers or riders, drink or drug driving, tailgating, mobile phone use whilst driving, vehicles in an unsafe condition, abandoned cars, untaxed cars ans motorbikes……

If you see any of these things or any other unreasonable behaviour by drivers or riders: -

*if in another vehicle, pull over safely (or ask a passenger) and write down the details of the vehicle causing concern (make, model, colour, number plate), location (house number, shop name, road name etc), and what happened.

*when able to access a computer, visit www.operationcrackdown.org or call 01243 642222 with your information.

Remember, do not attempt do do any of this while driving!

Your information will be analysed and appropriate action taken by Sussex Police.

If you, like me, are tired of anti -social driving in our area, especially speeding on our residential roads, don’t tolerate it…. Report it!