Speed cut planned for Fishbourne road

West Sussex County Council's south Chichester county local committee was told investigations following a recent serious accident at the junction of Fishbourne Road East and Clay Lane showed a high rate of collisions involving pedal cyclists.

County councillors approved plans for the creation of a 20mph zone and traffic-calming along Fishbourne Road East.

A traffic order implementing this will be made, subject to no unresolved objections.

Cllr Louise Goldsmith, whose Chichester West division includes the area, spoke out strongly in favour of the move at the meeting.

A committee report said the scheme would cost 50,000, of which 24,263 would be provided via contributions from developers, as part of planning agreements.

The rest would come from the county council's local safety scheme budget.

Plans for Fishbourne Road East include:

* A new raised 'table junction' to slow traffic at the main point of conflict between vehicles and cyclists at its junction with Clay Lane.

* A raised flat-top road hump close to the rear entrance of Tesco's superstore to provide an improved crossing point for pedestrians and a 'calming feature' within Fishbourne Road.

* Three sets of speed cushions, said to be a preferred traffic-calming feature for cyclists, providing the gaps between the kerb and the cushion were correctly positioned.

* A 20mph speed limit along the road.

A committee report said two-way, 12-hour pedestrian and cycle movements along the route totalled 1,800, of which 800 were cyclists. It was estimated cyclists amounted to 22 per cent of vehicular traffic.

"This is likely to be a conservative estimate, but provides positive evidence this route is heavily used for cycling and walking into Chichester," the report added.

"It is important to continue to promote these levels to achieve the vision of less congestion."

Fishbourne Road East formed part of a National Cycle Network route.

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