Plans in pipeline for 20mph speed limt for Midhurst and Easebourne

Midhurst town councillors are likely to put their weight behind the scheme and now the new South Downs National Park Authority, Cowdray Estate, Easebourne Parish Council, Midhurst Rother Academy, Midhurst Area Cycling and Midhurst Primary School are to be asked for their backing.

Campaign leader Peter Field believes it is the perfect time to make a 20mph bid.

The building of the 1,500-pupil academy, scheduled to open next year, and the setting-up of the new national park are bound to bring more people to the area, he said, making road safety even more crucial.

Now he has set out to gather support from groups in the area and on Tuesday he presented his plans to fellow Midhurst town councillors.

“When I applied to join the town council (last year) my primary concern was tackling excess road speeds around Midhurst streets,” he said

“I believe Midhurst is blessed in location to encourage people to walk and cycle, to enjoy the town and surrounding countryside – this is something on which the town should promote itself.

“It is equally afflicted by dark streets, on-road car parking, roads with no or narrow pavements and residential roads used as ‘rat runs’ by motorists at excess speeds.”

His plan is to join the national ‘20 is Plenty’ campaign alongside Chichester, which has just launched its own bid for a 20mph limit.

“The idea is each area runs its own campaign, but has the backing of the national body who advises on how to run it,” he said.

Mr Field has set out an area which covers residential roads such as controversial Ashfield Road, access for Midhurst Primary School, the historic core of the old town, as well as the two main A272 and A286 roads which run through Midhurst and Easebourne.

In Midhurst the area starts south on the old Chichester Road and west at the Half Moon pub on the Petersfield road. It ends on Easebourne’s boundary at Cowdray Golf Club.

“The problem is this area does include these A-grade roads,” said Mr Field. “But if we don’t include them I can’t see the benefit of the speed limit.”

“The new 1,500-pupil school is much bigger than we are used to.

“This would be a good opportunity to get this speed limit in place. It also fits well with the primary school’s access and travel plan, reduced speeds on New Road would help with the issue of safe crossing and with the possible street redesign for the historic core of Midhurst.”

Supporting the scheme, former town council chairman Colin Hughes said: “We asked for this six years ago and were told by the county council’s highways department it couldn’t be done.

“Yet you now see it happening all over the country. Our stance has always been to support 20mph speed limits and if other places are getting them, we want them too.”

Chairman of the finance and general purposes committee Steve Morley said he believed the scheme would be good for the town and commended Mr Field for his work.