The Safer C7 Project has now embarked on the planning application procedure for the first phases of the project along the length of the road. The Parish Council will consider these proposals at its meeting on 10 November.
The first phases include:
1a) Installation of village gateways
1b) New and improved crossing points
2a) Improved bus stop areas
2b) New and improved footways – Initially, a new footway between the garden centre and the bus stop opposite Wellgreen Lane junction, and between the end of the footpath from Northease to the Abergavenny pub in Rodmell.
These initial phases are designed to change drivers’ perceptions of the road, and draw attention to the villages, settlements and schools along the route, the likelihood of vehicles emerging from concealed junctions, and the range of road users (such as pedestrians and cyclists) drivers can expect to encounter. These initial phases will be followed by physical measures to break up and slow the flow of traffic – by means of altered junctions and priority working build outs. The aim is to alter the driving environment sufficiently to convince the Highway Authority that lower speed limits are appropriate on the C7.
Piddinghoe
Here is the list of the first planned ‘interventions’ for the Piddinghoe stretch of the C7, together with the relevant concept design drawings commissioned from consultants PJA. There are three plans covering the C7 at Piddinghoe, drawings 9, 10 and 11. It is important to note that:
- While the Piddinghoe proposals take into account the options drafted for phase 7 of the Egrets Way, measures such as gateway signage and crossing points can proceed through planning and delivery separately as part of the Safer C7 Project.
- The reduced speed limits cited are those which the Safer C7 Project expects to achieve by incrementally putting these traffic calming measures in place.
It’s hoped that a planning application for these first phases of measures will be submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority by Christmas.
