Could 20 be plenty?
Residents of Storrington and Sullington, you are invited by the Parish Council to an open meeting to discuss safer, cleaner, quieter streets.
We all want to make Storrington as inviting, comfortable and community friendly as possible. We need to work together on this. We know it’s not just a speed issue.
Please join us at the Studio, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre at 7pm Friday 20 June 2025. Come and be part of the conversation.
Many people think of traffic as just cars and vans, but it’s also pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooters, kids on scooters – everyone getting from A to B. And not all of us are wrapped in two tonnes of metal. That makes some road users much more vulnerable than others. Accidents will happen, but crashes – serious, life-changing crashes, can often be avoided.
With support from local County and District Councillors, Sussex Police, the Storrington Traffic Group and Community Speedwatch, the Parish Council has made a start:
- The 30mph speed limit on Washington Road has been extended out towards Water Lane, with new white village gates added to create a calmer and safer entry into the village. More gates are on their way for Amberley Road and Pulborough Road.
- Four Smiley Face Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) have been installed on Washington Road, Manley’s Hill, Pulborough Road and Amberley Road – a gentle nudge for drivers to check their speed. These were made possible thanks to support from Police & Crime Commissioner (Katy Bourne) and a local care home.
- We’re also making further improvements around the Monastery Lane roundabout to improve safety and flow.
So what next? This isn’t just about the small stuff. It’s about what kind of place we want Storrington to be. Somewhere safer. Quieter. A place where you feel happy walking with the kids or popping into the shops without having to dodge vehicles. Somewhere that feels more like a village and less like a cut-through.
And let’s be clear — this isn’t just about speeding. You can still drive dreadfully, aggressively or even threateningly and stay under 30mph. This is about how we drive, not just how fast. A 20mph limit helps shift the tone of our roads. It sends a clear message: ‘You’re in a shared space now — where people live, walk, cycle, play and go to school’. It encourages a calmer mindset, discourages aggressive driving, and will make our streets feel more human — more respectful, and more welcoming to everyone.
We’re not alone. Over 40% of the UK population now live in areas where 20mph speed limits apply or are planned on residential streets. Why? Because it works:
- It’s quieter – really. Studies show traffic noise can be halved.
- It’s cleaner – smoother driving reduces emissions (and fuel consumption).
- It’s safer – a child hit at 30mph is up to 10 times more likely to die than at 20mph.
- It’s friendlier – people spend more time walking, shopping, chatting. It’s good for community life and our wellbeing.
- It helps drivers too – people turn off auto-pilot and become more alert and drive with more care. And not just in the 20MPH area.
- In Wales, insurers are already lowering premiums in 20mph areas because there are fewer accidents and the risk are lower.
So where are we thinking? The main shopping area, the cut-through side roads, routes to schools, doctors and key services. The places where people and vehicles mix – and where slowing down could make a real difference to those who live there.
We’d like to create a clear, consistent area, so drivers aren’t changing speed every 200 metres. It’s simpler, safer and cheaper to put in place.
We’d love to know what you think. Come along to our community session on Friday 20th June at 7pm in the Studio at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre. You can look at the plans, ask questions and – most importantly – politely tell us what matters to you.
Keep an eye on the Parish Council website or Community website for more info. Or email office@storrington-pc.gov.uk to say you want to be kept informed.
Submitted to the Storrington Community Website using the News Item contact form.