LETTER: Traffic through precious villages

Many of the lorries that pass through Cowfold are of the ‘temperature-controlled’ type, and many devoid of sign-writing: however it is noticeable that lorries travelling west on the A 272 road can be observed two or three hours later returning eastbound towards the A 23 road. This leads me to believe that they are collecting salad crop loads from the Littlehampton area for the supermarket regional supply centres to the north and east

of London.

We may assume that these vehicles enter our area via the M23 so clearly it would be feasible for them to go onto the A264 North Horsham bypass, then onto the A 24 dual carriageway around Horsham and south to Buck Barn intersection.

Regarding the matter of air pollution in Cowfold, it should be remembered that on both

sides of the Bolney Road there is retirement accommodation, and older people are known to be at a particular risk from traffic pollution, mainly carbon monoxide from

petrol cars and nitrogen dioxide from diesel vehicles.

I assume that the proposed realignment of the Bolney road section entering Cowfold would involve loss of part of the playing field. Whilst slightly improving the lot of the residents by distancing them a few yards from the roadway, it will do nothing to

discourage the regular flouting of the speed limit along that stretch.

There will always be a need for HGV movement in our area, for example milk tankers, farm machinery and local business deliveries. However this could be kept to a minimum using proper directions at the southern end of the M23 motorway, channelling heavy traffic to the west of the county away from the A 23 – A 272

Cowfold route.

As an ex-tanker driver myself, I am still amazed that 44 ton petrol tankers are routed through residential areas, when there are suitable alternatives making use of dual carriageways, and avoiding our precious villages.

JOHN BOOTH

Fairfield Court, Cowfold

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