Over 100 residents came along to a meeting at The Reid Hall in Boreham Street in late September to discuss concerns about road safety and road management.
The meeting for parish councillors and residents of Herstmonceux, Pevensey, Westham, Wartling, Hooe and Ninfield parishes was hosted by local MP Huw Merriman and Wealden District Councillor, Pam Doodes. It was an opportunity to discuss rural road safety, community speedwatch, roadside litter and highway maintenance. Both the MP and councillor recognise the high importance of these issues to local residents which was borne out by the huge turnout at The Reid Hall.
Residents heard short presentations from lead officers at East Sussex County Council, Wealden District Council, Sussex Road Safety Partnership and Highways England about their policies on these issues and were able to raise questions and issues. They also heard from Keith Robertson, Chair of Catsfield Parish Council and Community Speedwatch team about their successful project to target speeding in their village.
Huw said “I know from my postbag, and from my visits to a number of parish councils over the summer, that the issue of local roads and road safety is incredibly important to our rural residents. This meeting was a great opportunity to hear from those who are responsible for these issues in our area, to find about what works well, new solutions to tackle speeding and to also understand the challenges. Residents not only brought us their concerns but also some innovative ideas on how we can tackle some of these issues. Residents also shared specific concerns about speeding and dangerous driving in their villages which we will be taking away to investigate further and bring about improvements.
I should like to thanks Cllr Pam Doodes for organising the meeting with me and to all the officials who kindly came along to speak and answer questions.”
Cllr Pam Doodes said “I was pleased so many people were able to attend, share their concerns and voice their ideas. Many thanks to all who contributed and so made the meeting worthwhile. At the end I invited those present who had not been called to speak because of the time restriction to email their question/comments to me so that I can follow up and then respond to them"
