MUCH-NEEDED road calming measures in Rogate are moving on apace, with the village to hopefully become a pilot for the South Downs National Park.

Designs and costs are being drawn up and worked out by West Sussex County Council in time for the 2016/17 budget.

This is later than hoped, and village campaigners have had to compromise on the scale of the measures, but it does mean they can now start to prepare and fundraise.

They are delighted to have the support too of the South Downs National Park Authority which wants to use the village as a pilot for road calming. They are optimistic that this will turn into funding at some stage.

The village has to raise a significant amount itself, and members of the Rogate Appeal for Traffic Action (RATA) working paper of the parish council have appealed to residents for help.

Fiona Dix, of RATA, said:?“All the ‘soft’ elements of the project, in particular landscaping around the roadway, need to be designed, planned and costed by us. We are going to need lots of help, so any offer will be gratefully received, not only with design, but also with fundraising.”

The parish council would contribute funds but it would also look to grants.

It is likely a full time fundraiser will be sought.

Phase one of the scheme is likely to be the western end of the village through to the end of the 30mph limit by Rogate Garage while phase two will be from the garage to east of Fyning Lane.

Observations of traffic on the A272 have been made.