Notes made at a traffic calming consultation evening on 10 June 2008 in the Village Institute, Ticehurst at 19:30.

Present:  Cllrs. Rigby ©, Mitchell, Langdown, Burley, Yeo, A Cook, and Semple.
C. Cllr. Barnes, and Andrew Vidal (former Chairman).
Mr Higgs and Mr Clarke from East Sussex County Council, Highways and PCSO Chris Drewitt.
Forty four members of the public.

Cllr. Rigby welcomed all those present and pointed out that there were ‘suggestion forms’ on each chair and hoped that everyone would jot down their views on any particular traffic issues.  He then thanked Andrew Vidal for all his work over the last few years  promoting the need for traffic calming in the villages.  Andrew Vidal addressed the meeting, resigning as Chairman  and stating that he hoped that all the work that has gone on in the past will come to fruition this year with at least ‘buffer zones’ installed at Upper Platts.

Cllr. Rigby then asked those present to put forward areas and ideas for traffic calming.  These included:

1. Church Street – speed of traffic and parking on the grass verges by the church.
2. Stonegate  - speeding traffic heading north past the church.
3. St Mary’s Lane – The removal of the 30 m.p.h sign due to the number of street lights – Cllr Vidal informed the meeting that the removal of a street light would allow the reinstatement of the speed restriction sign.
4. High Street, Ticehurst – the traffic speed increases due to parked cars – to get past the ‘block’.
5. Berners Hill – speeding traffic.
6. Implementation of ‘SLOW’ signs and ‘Narrow Lane’ signs in rural lanes.
7. Rosemary Lane – Speeding traffic, use of horns as a warning – Mr Higgs ESCC informed the meeting that the number of houses fronting the road would not qualify for County funding in this road.  It is currently used as a ‘rat run’ to avoid the Flimwell lights.
8. Pedestrian Crossing – There is a need for a pedestrian crossing in the middle of the village -  costs likely to be some £60,000.   Thirty Nine people of the forty four present voted for the installation of a crossing.
9. Flimwell  A268 – Whilst it is accepted that this road is dangerous, fatalities within the East Sussex section do not warrant expenditure or speed restrictions.
10. Wallcrouch – Consideration is being given to a reduction in the speed limit – to 40 m.p.h. by ESCC.
11. Upper Platts – Residents are fighting the implementation of an increased speed limit of 40 mph outside Upper Platts and would like to see improved pedestrian facilities to the village – pavement needs tarmacing.   Mr Clarke and Mr Higgs informed the meeting that the aim of the increase is to start slowing traffic down before it gets to a new 30 m.p.h limit nearer the village.
12. Flooding outside Ticehurst House  and Lower High Street – Clerk informed the meeting that the drains are rodded regularly and flood is reported to ESCC on a regular basis.

Cllr. Rigby thanked everyone for raising their particular issues and the meeting moved on to discuss possible solutions and their effectiveness:

1. White Line Kerbing:  This can be effective for narrow lanes, making them look smaller, and removing the central white line if there is one – Mr Higgs and Mr Clarke were asked to look into this as a traffic calming measure and where it might be effective.
2. Speed Guns:  It was reported that recent speed gun exercises have proved that on the whole it is local traffic that is going to fast and PCSO C Drewitt reminded those present that if they drive slowly, then everyone else will behind them.  Thirty Six warning letters were sent after a recent exercise, thirty of which were local addresses.
3. Small Bollards:  It was resolved that the purchase and installation of small bollards on areas where grass is churned up by parked cars, should go ahead – to be put to the Parish Council for ratification. (Causeway, Church Street, opposite Village Hall, Wallcrouch).
4. Gateways:  It was felt that this would be very effective at the western and eastern ends of the village, and ESCC representatives informed the meeting that they can be installed in 40 or 30 m.p.h limits.  Costs are in the region of £4000 a build out.
5. Speed Activated Signs:  It was felt that these were very expensive and statistically do not slow traffic down – very pricey to maintain.  Cost  £6000.  It was reported that at Etchingham, the newly installed system has only slowed traffic by some 3-4 mph.
6. Pinch Points or Build-Outs:  It was felt that these would be the most effective means of slowing eastern and western bound traffic through Ticehurst – costs are likely to be in the region of £6000 each.  Thirty two of the forty four people present voted for their implementation, bearing in mind the need for large agricultural vehicles in the area.
7. Rumble Strips:  ESCC representatives and PCSO reported that these are not very effective and complaints are  received about the noise generated from local residents.
8. Speed Humps:  These are only effective in suburban areas and are unpopular with the emergency services.

PARKING ON PAVEMENTS:  Cllr Rigby thanked Cllr. Langdown for her work in posting notes on cars that blocked pavements for pedestrians.  As stated in the Parish Magazine within Ticehurst News & Views, the policy was only implemented due to the large number of complaints that the Parish had received.  Due to the adverse reaction from a few car owners the policy has been stopped.  PCSO Drewitt  reported that it was illegal to park on the pavement.  Their role is ‘reactive’ rather than ‘proactive’ so if people report areas and incidents  0845 60 70 999 to them they will visit the car owners concerned.  This also applies if ‘bad’ driving is witnessed.  In some cases cars have been towed away due to persistent offending.  The Parish Council have asked that when Warrens site is developed, that a planning restriction be imposed with regard to sub-contractors’ vehicles not parking in the road.

PCSO Drewitt informed the meeting that in 2008, there have been two fatalities, eleven slight collisions and two serious collisions to date within the Ticehurst and Hurst Green Parishes.  C. Cllr. J Barnes pointed out that statistics are usually based on collisions and that the ‘fear and nervousness’ of the population to go out in their cars or as pedestrians because of the perceived risk of harm.

Cllr. Rigby thanked everyone for attending and the meeting closed at 21:35.