LETTER: Dramatic rise in car traffic

I would like to raise three key points which illustrate that the statement is quite simply untrue!

Firstly, in conversation with a number of keen cycling friends who have been heavily involved in the discussions to date, my understanding is that currently there are NO plans to provide either underpasses or bridges across the A264 to connect the new development with Horsham.

Two pedestrian crossings are currently the only option on the table!

On a recent Friday there was a collision on that section closing the road, and my two youngest sons were just behind the incident last Halloween when a man died after attempting to cross late at night.

The road appears to be well known as a place where cars and motorbikes race at high speed.

The second point relates to the potential parkway train station. Network Rail have made their position quite clear! IF - and that itself is a big if - Faygate station is closed, then they would be prepared to have an additional station between Horsham and Crawley.

However, in the discussions to date, Crawley councillors representing the development at Kilnwood Vale have made it clear that they consider they have first option. In previous discussions involving Horsham District Council, before the Liberty proposal was even an idea, the intention to have a station there was openly discussed and agreed.

Bearing in mind they also have two phases completed and numbers of houses sold, I do not think the Liberty proposal has any chance of seeing a station in the development.

The third point relates to the proposal to site a secondary school in the development. As has become strikingly clear, considerable numbers of children are being bussed from Southwater to the secondary schools in Horsham at considerable expense.

There are substantial developments underway in Southwater with more to come, undoubtedly generating substantial additional numbers of children requiring secondary education.

If the new secondary school is built above the A264 we will see increasing numbers of children being bussed into Horsham from Southwater, which will displace large numbers of children in the north of Horsham who will either be bussed or driven to the new school.

Which caring parent will want to see their children attempting to cross the A264 on a pedestrian crossing! A new secondary school should be built in Southwater NOT as is currently proposed.

So, with no safe crossing of the A264, a very low chance of any station, and the new secondary school being built there I can only see dramatic increase in car traffic!

Am I missing something?

Laurie Holt

Rusper Road, Horsham

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