Apologies the online survey is not available until Monday 12 May and will close on 1 June, 2025

In the meantime, here is some information for you

Should there be a 30mph Speed Limit in Kingston Lane?

Why are we contacting you?

This survey relates to the section of Kingston Lane with a 60mph limit and whether we should seek to reduce the limit to 30mph. If we go forward with this it is essential we can demonstrate that it has the support of the residents of Kingston before West Sussex County Council will consider our request.

Currently

Kingston Lane is the only public highway within the Parish. Its speed limit is 30mph from the junction with North Lane to the junction with Elm Avenue but south of that it is the national speed limit for an unrestricted single carriageway - 60 miles per hour!

Several residents have contacted us with concerns about the width and speed of vehicles that they come face to face with, and narrow misses – particularly on the sharp bends. Although Kingston Lane to date has a good safety record, Council shares these concerns about potential accidents.

Why 30mph?

The 2022 changes to the Highway Code introduced a “hierarchy of road users” that places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy and places greater responsibility on those who pose the greatest risk to others. Following on from this, County revised their speed limit policy with the focus on helping the most vulnerable road users. This new policy enables us to make a request for a reduced speed limit that we hope stands a good chance of success.

The Clerk and Cllr Buckenham met with a County Highways Officer to seek his advice on whether a 30mph or 20mph option would be acceptable. The County Officer recommended that Council focus on a 30mph speed limit as Kingston Lane does not meet the 20 mph criteria:
- No schools or shops or a road lined with residential housing
- It has long sections of open road

He also said that speed limits should be self-explaining, encourage self-compliance and be seen as the maximum rather than a target speed at which to drive regardless of conditions.

How will this change Kingston Lane?

The main benefit is the restriction of the speed limit from 60mph to 30mph that will be legally enforceable. Research indicates that reducing traffic speeds reduces the likelihood of a road traffic collision occurring and reducing the speed difference between those involved will reduce the severity of any injuries sustained in a collision. Lower traffic speeds may also encourage more walking and cycling, and help to make communities safer and more pleasant places to live.

The main disadvantage is the visual impact of extra signs along a country lane. Whilst the aim is to provide sufficient road user information without creating unnecessary visual intrusion to the environment, the National Traffic Sign rules about the size and frequency of signs will have to be met.
The signage would be 30mph double sided signs at approximately 300 metre intervals. Achieved by alternating signs on either side of the road so on each side of the road they would be approximately 600 metres apart. These would be fixed on to existing traffic signage posts where possible. The signs would be repeater roundels (size typically 300mm diameter) with a slightly larger sign where the 30mph limit would begin/end to the north of the gated entrance to Kingston Gorse Estate.

Please do complete  the survey available online from 12 May, 2025