Ardingly Parish Council – Traffic and Speed Update

Thank you to everyone who has raised concerns about the volume and speed of traffic through Ardingly, and particularly to the resident who has started the recent petition. We thought it would be useful to explain what the Parish Council has been doing, where we have got to, and what happens next.

On 16 June 2026, members of Ardingly Parish Council met West Sussex County Council (WSCC) Highways officers in Ardingly and walked around the village with them to look at traffic, pedestrian safety and possible improvements.

On 16 July 2026, we met the WSCC Traffic Team for a second site visit, with a particular focus on traffic speed and the possibility of a safe pedestrian crossing on the High Street, particularly to improve access to the Recreation Ground and bus stops.

We had hoped to put forward a crossing through WSCC’s Community Highways Scheme (CHS). However, WSCC has very specific safety and design requirements for pedestrian crossings. During the July visit, officers assessed possible locations with us and advised that none of the locations we examined would meet those requirements.

Rather than submit a proposal that is unlikely to succeed, we will use the time before the next CHS application round to work with WSCC on a stronger proposal looking more broadly at measures that could improve traffic and pedestrian safety through the village. The Community Highways Scheme is a very competitive process, so a well-developed proposal supported by good evidence will matter.

We do not want to wait for the next Community Highways Scheme round before pursuing concerns about traffic speed. We are therefore also pursuing with WSCC the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) route for measures to control speed through the village.

The Parish Council cannot itself change speed limits or carry out works on the highway. Those decisions sit with WSCC and have to go through its assessment and approval processes. These processes can be slow and time-consuming, although the Highways officers working with us have been helpful in looking at the options available.

So there are now two strands of work:

1. Traffic speed: pursuing the TRO route with WSCC.

2. A wider highways scheme: developing a stronger Community Highways Scheme proposal for the next application round.

The recent residents’ petition is very timely. It demonstrates the strength of local concern and can help support the case we are making to WSCC.

But we also need evidence.

If you experience problems with traffic volume, speed or pedestrian safety, please put the details in writing. Tell us:

• Where it happened;

• When it happened — including the date and approximate time where possible;

• What happened, and whether it is a recurring problem; and

• Where possible, include photographs, video or other visual evidence that helps demonstrate the problem.

Specific, documented examples will give us much stronger evidence to put in front of WSCC than general reports that traffic is getting worse.

Please send evidence to:

Councillor Deborah Kirby: [email protected]

Councillor Rowena Chalk: [email protected]

Parish Clerk: [email protected]