Community Highway Scheme application submitted for improvements to 'hazardous' Chichester junction
A Community Highway Scheme application has been submitted calling for improvements to a 'hazardous' Chichester junction, a Chichester City Councillor has confirmed.
The application was confirmed on Friday, July 31, by Councillor Louise Pramas (Chichester West), who described the proposal to improve the junction between St Paul's Road, Sherborne Road and Norwich Road as the ‘culmination of a lot of hard work across the community’.
She said: “I'm pleased to say that I have submitted a Community Highway Scheme application to West Sussex County Council today to make the case for the need to improve the junction between St Paul's Road, Sherborne Road and Norwich Road.
"This is the culmination of a lot of hard work across our community for the past year or more and in particular from members of Campaign for a safe crossing at St Paul’s road.”
Cllr Pramas confirmed the application was backed by West Sussex county councillors Jack Lovejoy and Richard Bates, MP Jess Brown-Fuller and District Councillor for Fishbourne, Adrian Moss.
She added: “I would like to thank everyone involved for their commitment and hard work. I hope we will hear some positive news when the application is considered in the Autumn.”
A campaign group called ‘Campaign for a safe crossing at St Paul’s road’ was set up in July 2025 by resident Sue Walters, in response to increasing traffic at the junction, including vehicles linked to the Minerva Heights housing development, and regular farm traffic.
The staggered junction layout at the site has raised concerns, as drivers pulling out may struggle to see pedestrians or oncoming cyclists. Police data shows nine reported accidents at the junction over the past five years, including two serious injuries.
In October 2025, the campaign group submitted a petition with 936 signatures to West Sussex County Council Highways, calling for a permanent controlled crossing such as a puffin crossing.
West Sussex County Council recorded 205 pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing on October 7, 2025.
Sue Walters, founder of the campaign group, said: "For years local residents have been urging WSCC to implement a permanent, safer solution to the hazardous junction between St, Pauls, Norwich and Sherborne roads, to ensure the safety of all pedestrians crossing to schools, GP surgeries and local shops.
"The increase in traffic due to housing developments, along with the presence of tractors has escalated the danger. We believe we need a Puffin crossing at this site to make it safer.”