Residents and councillors are calling for urgent changes to roads after a spate of crashes. In the past three weeks a van drove into the Blacksmiths Arms pub , taking out its veranda and smashing front windows and a female motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a van in Offham, north of Lewes. Campaigners say there have been two more incidents police had to attend and say the “unusually high number of accidents” is linked to traffic often failing to stick to the 30mph speed limit.
Councillors say East Sussex County Council has the second worst road safety record nationally and tops the South East region when it comes to the number of people killed or seriously injured. Councillor Johnny Denis, the leader of the Green group at East Sussex County Council, said: “The council is cavalier when it comes to road safety. “Only Blackpool has a higher number of people who are killed and seriously injured on their roads.
Time and time again we raise the issue of having lower speeds in our villages but it falls on deaf ears. Let's see if this spate of crashes moves the council to action.” Councillor, Joa Saunders, one of the district councillors for the area called on the county council to introduce much better speed management at the site and along the A275.
“Drivers approaching Offham need to be slowed down earlier and warned that the bends are dangerous,” Cllr Saunders said. “The confusion caused by the constant change in the speed limit is dangerous.
