Felpham residents call for ‘outrageously ugly’ barriers to be removed

Helen Ashmore and other residents by the gates

Two sets of gates were put in place in Woodhill Way around three months ago, after a planning application was approved in February.

Planning conditions for the development had originally stipulated that the road would be used as a bus route, however after this idea was then decided against, Arun District Council requested that a dedicated pedestrian and cycle route was created.

The gates were put in place by developer Barratt Homes to prevent motor vehicles from using it, while still allowing for emergency access.

The gates allow for emergency vehicle access only

Helen Ashmore, who has lived in the road for five years, said residents were opposed to the barriers.

She said the two bright yellow and galvanised steel erections were ‘a monstrosity of a sight’ and that, while they may have prevented motorbikes using the road as a short cut, they had caused ‘lots of problems’.

They have left her with nowhere to park in what was already a ‘busy estate with limited off road parking and congested on road parking’.

“The barriers create a constant banging noise when the wind blows and this can be heard throughout the day and night, adding to the frustrations of all of us,” she said.

“This outrageously ugly erection looks like it would be better suited on an industrial estate.”

She and other residents are calling for the barriers to be removed.

Arun District Council said the application for the gates did not result in the loss of any designated parking spaces, and that both the fire service and police were satisfied with the scheme.

A spokesman said: “In light of the recent communication with residents we will be contacting the developer to discuss.”

A spokesman from Barratt Homes said: “We acknowledge that these gates are causing an issue for the residents, but, whilst they must remain in order to stay compliant with that planning condition, we are prepared to consider ways we can make improvements.

“We are already looking at landscaping the edges to prevent anyone from using the grass verge to go around the gates.”