Villagers petition for declassification of B2095

Residents of Hooe and Ninfield have seen a significant rise in the number of HGVs using the narrow B2095, which runs through both villages.

The problem has become so severe to residents that the villages' parish councils got together and organised a petition asking East Sussex County Council to declassify the road and introduce a 30mph speed limit, which would prevent vehicles over a certain tonnage from using the road.

The petition was distributed in shops and businesses throughout both villages - including the Red Lion pub at Hooe - and gained a massive 662 signatures.

It was recently presented to Councillor Bob Lacey, chairman of East Sussex County Council, by Councillor Peter Doodes of Hooe Parish Council and Councillor Pam Doodes of Ninfield Parish Council.

Cllr Peter Doodes feels that sat nav was 'without a shadow of doubt' why more lorry drivers are choosing to take heavy goods vehicles down such a narrow road.

Big grain lorries have taken to using the road, and one HGV Cllr Doodes has seen was a Polish vehicle, the driver unfamiliar with the area and following his route on the computerised equipment.

Cllr Doodes said he thought the petition, which included photographs of the traffic conditions along the B2095, had a good chance of succeeding.

"We have had a huge number of people signing this petition," he said."It (the road] is just simply unsafe."

A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council said: "Under our review of village speed limits it is proposed to implement a new 30mph speed limit through Hooe Common.

"As a result of the rural A and B class road review of speed limits it is also proposed to implement a new 40mph speed limit on the B2095 between the new Hooe Common 30mph speed limit, and the existing 30mph speed limit in Lower Street, Ninfield.

"A petition has been received requesting the reclassification of the road from a B class to a C class road to enable the introduction of a weight restriction and it is scheduled to be discussed at the transport and environment lead member's meeting on March 23."

Lead Cabinet member for transport and environment, Councillor Matthew Lock, said: "I always welcome petitions at my lead member meetings.

"They give residents the chance to put over their views, which I consider before making a final decision."