An MP has called for urgent action to address growing safety risks on rural roads.
John Milne, Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, raised the issue in a Parliamentary debate on Tuesday, March 17, highlighting the increasing use of narrow village routes in West Sussex by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
He said: “Our rural roads are carrying traffic they were never designed for.
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John Milne, MP for Horsham, raised the issue in a Parliamentary debate. (Image: Supplied)
“HGVs using narrow village streets as shortcuts are putting people in danger, and we need urgent action.
“I’m calling on the government to implement fair funding for rural councils so they can properly maintain their roads and give power to villages to set their own speed limits that reflect the reality for local residents.”
Mr Milne named Cowfold, Colgate and Lower Beeding as examples of villages being used as “rat runs” by HGVs, which he said creates risks for pedestrians, riders and drivers.
He called for greater freedom for villages to set their own speed limits and urged ministers to ensure commercial HGV sat-nav systems prioritise safe and appropriate routes rather than simply the shortest ones.
The MP also raised ongoing concerns about sat-nav directions at the A24 Bar Lane crossover.
Motorists have been warned to ignore misleading sat-nav instructions at the site.
Mr Milne has previously written to West Sussex County Council to request urgent action.
In response, the council has installed new signage warning drivers not to follow sat-nav directions at the junction.
However, Mr Milne said signage alone is not a “long-term solution” and is continuing to work with the county council to find more permanent safety improvements.
His wider intervention comes amid growing concern across West Sussex about road safety.
He also repeated his call for fairer funding for rural councils to help them maintain road networks.
Mr Milne argued that villages should be empowered to set their own speed limits so they can better reflect the dangers on narrow lanes used by pedestrians, riders and drivers.