Will 20's Plenty slow down trade for Chichester business?

A discussion on the networking website Linkedin unveiled an underlying worry from members of the Chichester business community.

Objectors to the 20mph scheme feared the decrease in speed would increase running costs for businesses.

Paul Willard, a managing director of a city business, gave his view.

“The alleged fuel savings would be far outweighed by the increased labour costs spent in travelling times,” he said.

“Small businesses are the backbone and lifeblood of any local economy and I find it unbelievable that there has been no consultation with Chichester’s business community regarding this proposal.”

Others agreed the business community did not get enough say in the consultation process for the new speed limit. Another contributor to the discussion, Mark Moranne, said: “I can only see companies who provide home delivery service increasing their prices to reflect the lost time.”

However some thought the new speed limit would not make a difference to trade, as ‘Chichester has its own in-built speed limit’.

Following a public consultation this year, officers from the county council recommended the proposal for approval to the South Chichester County Local Committee of West Sussex County Council on
November 6.

All councillors present voted unanimously in favour of the new 20mph limit.

A total of £100,000 will now be spent implementing the policy.

Get in touch with your views by emailing [email protected]