Residents petition for safe crossing on Bognor Road

A councillor, publican and shop manager have all spoken out about the benefits of a crossing on the road and set up the petition which will be given to West Sussex County Council.

Sarah Sharp, city and district councillor for Chichester South, set up the petition and has campaigned for over ten years for road safety.

She said: "I know that the council have already looked at a crossing on Bognor Road but have ruled it out as too difficult as the pavement isn't wide enough.

"However, I would like the council to take another look as this road is getting more and more difficult to cross. This will only get worse when more traffic uses Bognor Road when the Oving crossroads are closed.

"Also we have many more houses going in at Westhampnett and Shopwyke and Bartholomew's which will mean more cars. We need to make it easier for people of all ages to walk and cycle to their local shops and facilities.

"Reducing our reliance on the private car is a key way we can help the climate — but for that it has to be easy and safe for people to get about.

"It is just plain wrong that local residents find it easier to drive to Bognor to shop than to cross the road and use their local shop."

Lindsay Costello, manager of the Coop said: "A safe crossing for customers to be able to get to the store safely is really important to me.

"We already have over 200 signatures and are really keen to get over 500 so that we can hand this petition in to the council."

Landlord of the Wickham Arms, Marshall Mahendran, said: "I moved back to Chichester as the landlord of the Wickham Arms in March 2019 after working away for 30 years and I'm continually trying to cross Bognor Road at all times of day to get to the local Coop.

"There have been times when I have waited up to ten minutes to make a safe crossing. I also have a damaged knee.

"Many of our customers are elderly and use assisted forms of mobility equipment for example zimmerframes and we often see them having great difficulty trying to cross the road.

"A safe crossing, zebra crossing or even an island in the middle of the road would help."

You can sign the petition by vising the Wickham Arms or online here: A safe crossing on Bognor Road, Chichester