Road safety

Published: 16 June 2025

Road safety improvements in Westbourne

The Parish Council plans to apply to West Sussex County Council in July 2025 for improvements to be made to some areas of the public highway to make walking and cycling safer in the village centre, as well as on Whitechimney Row and Woodmancote Lane. 

Westbourne is unique in having a centre-wide 20mph zone, introduced by the Parish Council nearly 15 years ago. This has played a key part in improving road safety, with the village seeing a 30% reduction in road casualties in the last decade from these reduced speeds, combined with our active Community Speedwatch Group and speed indicator devices on key entry roads. 

With the recent success of road safety initiatives, such as the new 30mph zone past the children's playground on Monk's Hill, the newly introduced signs guiding HGVs away from the village centre, and speed reductions underway for Foxbury Lane and Whitechimney Row, the Parish Council is keen to take this further to continue to improve road safety for Westbourne residents.  

Proposals for The Square, Westbourne

1. Add a pavement section near the bin outside the doctors' surgery and add a pavement triangle and planter outside the Window Box to avoid parking blocking The Square near the Co-op.
2. New yellow lines and parking signs on Co-op Wall to prevent blocking outside the Co-op. 
3. No Entry signs into The Square West of Lamb Buildings, plus widen pavement and bollards west of Spice Cottage to prevent pavement parking and reduce likelihood of parking on current double yellow lines.
4. Safety pavement section with a kerb outside the Stag's Head to protect pedestrians from traffic.
5. A bus cage outside Westbourne cafe, if space allows.
6. Refresh of double yellow lines.

Proposals for Woodmancote and Whitechimney Row 

1.  South Lane to be reduced to 30mph from 40mph and reduced to 30mph from 40mph on Woodmancote Lane after Dell Cottages.
2. Woodmancote Lane to be 30mph and Woodmancote village to be a 20 mph zone plus signage.
3. Change of junction to give priority to Old Farm Lane/Stein Road traffic with revised give way lines.
4. Replace pavement crossing bollards at the north end of Whitechimney Row to prevent parking. 
5. Woodmancote Lane East and West Ashling Road consistent 40mph along this stretch of road. 

Have your say

The Parish Council would like to consult with residents on these proposals and you can send you comments, and other suggestions for improving road safety in Westbourne, by email to clerk@westbourne-pc.gov.uk