Thakeham Traffic Calming Proposals
Overview
Many residents have raised concerns about the speed of traffic travelling through the centre of Thakeham and safety concerns regarding the two pinch points.
Thakeham Parish Council engaged Motion to conduct a data gathering exercise on the speed and volume of traffic over a particular period in late 2023.
This information has proved useful as evidence when Thakeham Parish Council objected to certain planning applications. However, the highway authority, West Sussex County Council, was not in a position then, for various reasons, to take action.
Following recent discussions with West Sussex County Council Highways we believe that it is now possible to put forward proposals acceptable to West Sussex County Council within a reasonable budget to make a significant road safety improvement through the village. The goal is to enhance road safety, reduce vehicle speeds, and limit heavy goods vehicles using the road as a “rat run” to bypass the A24.
After discussions with the Parish Council, Motion have developed several options and we now seek input from residents and businesses. We want to identify the best proposal to present to West Sussex County Council for them to take the statutory approval process forward.
It should be noted that we are not proposing to remove the existing pinch points. This would be impractical because apart from being a costly exercise, they would still aid in slowing traffic.
The proposals consist of two distinct sections, north of the former Monaghan mushroom farm past the junction with The Street and south through the village and onto Jackets Hill.
Northern Section – North of Monaghan Mushroom Farm
For this length of the B2139, it is proposed that the following changes are undertaken.
- The centre line is removed from the carriageway but will remain at junctions and around bends.
- Edge of carriageway markings are enhanced to provide a clear vocal point to drivers of the restricted width of the carriageway.
- The speed limit is reduced from 40 to 30 miles per hour from the existing commencement of the 30 miles per hour limit to either 50 metres north of the junction with The Street or a point to the north of Town House Farm which would include the public right of way crossing.
Work undertaken by the Department for Transport indicates that the removal of centre line markings, along with a reduction to the speed limit can result in a reduction of mean speeds by up to 7-8 miles per hour.
Southern Section – South of Monaghan Mushroom Farm to Jacket’s Hill
This section of the B2139 Storrington Road includes the two existing traffic calming chicanes, designed as such so that vehicles leaving the village give way to vehicles entering the village.
However, given the work already undertaken to install these chicanes along with the associated infrastructure, including lighting and drainage, it is
recommended that these remain and are complemented by additional traffic calming proposals.
Three types of additional traffic calming measures have been assessed consisting of the following traffic calming humps.
- Flat Top Hump;
- Tapered Road Hump; and,
- Speed Cushions
Types of Road Humps
Flat Top Humps
Flat top humps extend across the full width of the carriageway and are a minimum of two metres in length. They are primary used at pedestrian crossing locations as they enable pedestrians to cross at the same level as the footway.
Tapered Road Humps
Tapered road humps, are a traditional road hump which have tapered ends towards the kerb.
Speed Cushions
Speed cushions are short raised, rounded humps, normally located within the centre of a road lane.
The cushions are designed to be slightly wider than a car, so car drivers need to slow down and drive over the centre of the speed cushion to reduce discomfort. However they are commonly used on bus routes and given buses are wider than cars, buses can straddle the cushions ensuring a smoother ride for passengers which also enables other large vehicles to straddle the cushion.
However, given that large vehicles can straddle speed cushions, these have therefore been considered but have not been taken forward as an option.
Department for Transport Legalisation
Any form of traffic calming installed on public highways has to comply with Department for Transport Legalisation.
An important Department for Transport requirement is that street lighting should be provided at each traffic calming feature when installed within a 30 miles per hour speed limit, while street lighting is not required when traffic calming is installed within a 20 miles per hour speed limit.
Proposals
Two options are therefore being brought forward, the first consisting of primary flat top humps and the second consisting of round top humps.
Therefore for each option, given Department for Transport requirements, two variations have been produced, the first with the traffic calming installed within the existing 30 miles per hour limit with additional street lighting provided and the second with the traffic calming installed within a new 20 miles per hour zone which would require no additional street lighting.
However, Thakeham Parish Council would prefer no additional street lighting in the village to maintain open skies and the general ambience of the village at night.
Your Views
Thakeham Parish Council would like to hear your views and we would be grateful if residents / local businesses would complete a short survey. This will enable the Parish Council to present a final scheme to West Sussex County Council for them to take up the statutory approval process.
The survey is being delivered to all residences and business premises in Thakham and can be returned to the Parish Council Office at Thakeham Village Hall. The survey can also be completed online - click here to complete the survey.