AFTER years of work a much needed traffic calming scheme for Rogate has been given the stamp of approval.

West Sussex County Council (WSCC ) is to fund the work, aimed at slowing traffic as it passes through Rogate on the busy A272, creating more parking, and making the village a more attractive place.

WSSC councillor Gordon McAra was one of the North Chichester local committee that approved the plans on Thursday, March 16.

He said: “The cost hasn’t been finalised yet but it will probably be about £300,000.

“There are one or two landscaping details still to sort out, but thats just tweaking, and the work has been scheduled to go ahead in the year from April 1.

“It’s a busy major road, and one aspect of this scheme will be to make drivers slow down and think for themselves, rather than be guided by highways props like signs and white lines.”

The bid for traffic calming began around 2012, with the launch of the Rogate Appeal for Traffic Action (RATA) campaign by Rogate Parish Council.

RATA chairman and parish councillor Fiona Dix said: “In 2013, we were introduced to the concept of ‘shared space’ as a means of traffic calming by consultants Hamilton Baillie Associates (HBA).

“The initial reaction to the ideas for dealing with speeding traffic, building damage and pedestrians wishing to cross the road, was very positive, and several versions later, we have the scheme approved now.”

Among other measures, pinch points to slow traffic will be introduced, white lines will be removed from the centre of the road, and more parking created, which will help slow traffic.

The main road will also be a different colour at junctions to highlight them to drivers.

Cllr Dix added: “We are delighted the local committee has agreed to fund this project.

“In addition, Rogate parish council has allocated some funds, and the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has indicated that it could be willing to do the same.

“This novel approach is of strategic importance to the SDNPA, which regards this as a pilot scheme which could be rolled out in other villages.”