03/03/2026
The Lindfield Society management committee has examined the case for a 20-mph speed limit in the core areas of Lindfield and is taking this opportunity to update our members.
The Lindfield Society, in its survey of Lindfield Residents at Lindfield Village Day last May, found a consensus among respondents that something needed to be done about road safety and the difficulties caused by traffic. The High Street, Lewes Road, Hickmans Lane, and the roads around Lindfield Primary were cited as areas of road danger.
We have questioned whether 20mph limits work?
The adoption of a 20mph limit has been researched most extensively in the West London areas of Richmond, Kingston, Twickenham, Kew, & Brentford where 20 mph limits have been in operation in all roads (except for the main arterial roads passing through) for more than 5 years. Notable results are:
o There is a large 34% drop in all traffic accidents including deaths and serious life changing injury
o A 75% drop in Child Road deaths
o A pedestrian is five times less likely to die from a 20mph hit than a 30mph hit
o An increase in the quality of air and a reduction in noise and slowing traffic has limited impact on exhaust emissions, but a smoother driving style reduces particulate emissions from tyre and brake wear – a substantial element of air pollution.
o There is no evidence of greater traffic congestion
The Villages of Surrey provide a model for adopting this policy in Sussex Villages. In Surrey, the trend toward 20mph limits in the villages is advancing quickly, and much can be learned from the consultation process and the design of traffic-calming and speed-reduction measures that are appropriate within the heritage architecture of the villages. Formal pedestrian crossings are often mentioned but they are visually invasive and a 20mph regime is a preferable response to this perceived risk. We conclude that traffic calming need not be ugly and can fit within heritage village landscapes.
Lowering traffic speeds reduces the dominance of motor vehicles and makes our Village streets safer, more inviting, less polluted and more attractive for walking, cycling and public transport trips. This is essential for both ensuring we increase active, sustainable travel and that Lindfield feels “liveable” and the High Street remains attractive to shoppers and visitors. Furthermore, a 20mph limit will marginally deter HGVs from routing through the High Street.
The Lindfield Society is currently taking initiatives such as:
o stopping house builders using the High Street for heavy truck transport within the Planning regulation system, and
o consulting with South of England Show Ground so that heavy traffic is routed away from The High Street and other core areas of Lindfield, and
o Supporting the Primary Academy in seeking additional traffic safety measures, and
o Asserting the need for a footpath linking the Scamps Hill development with the Village
In Lindfield, the Lindfield Academy Primary School and its PTA remain very concerned about traffic dangers near the school even after yellow lines on all local roads have restricted dysfunctional parking. We agree that more road safety measures are needed in the vicinity of the school, and that a public information campaign is needed to explain the case for a 20mph limit and the road safety measures.
A 20-mph limit for Core Areas of Lindfield would at least include The High Street, Lewes Road, Hickmans Lane and the roads around Lindfield Primary.
However, to make substantive changes to the quality of Lindfield’s core environment requires the full force of traffic regulation. Therefore, we support the proposed 20mph limit in the core areas of Lindfield.
Finally, we have heard from some people that a 20mph speed won’t be enforced so what’s the point? Our response is that the limited enforcement of the existing 30mph limit does not justify doing nothing when a rational analysis shows clear community benefit from a 20mph limit.
We urge all our members to join in the Lindfield Parish Council Consultation and support the 20mph campaign. The survey form can be accessed from this address on the Lindfield Parish Council website:
https://www.lindfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk/Lindfield_20_mph_Scheme_41144.aspx
📣Lindfield Parish Council is pleased to announce the launch of its 20mph speed limit consultation.
Complete the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NYLFWXD
Or for more information visit www.lindfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk
