At the end of January, Tim Loughton MP met Highways Agency Manager, Peter Phillips along with Leader of Adur Council, Neil Parkin to discuss the large number of road accidents that have occurred near Southwick Tunnel lately and try to ascertain why there are so many incidents on this section of the A27.
Tim and Cllr Parkin were briefed about the history of accidents at Southwick Tunnel by Mr Phillips who said that there is no obvious linking reason why so many accidents happen there. The HA has been working closely with Sussex Police who will be publishing a report on the finer details of the most recent accidents- which will help with deciding the best course of action.
From their own research the HA was able to disclose the following information:
· Very few accidents actually happen in the tunnel itself, most are on the bends of the approaches.
· There is no pattern in driver age: It ranges from 22 - 70 (most are in the 30 - 50 age range)
· Accidents involve mostly cars, fewer than 15% involve HGV's or motorcycles.
· The majority of accidents involve single vehicles losing control
· Over 80% of accidents are in daylight
· 65% occur in wet weather
· 54% occur on commuter journeys and the majority (over 90%) are people who live within West/East Sussex area and who are therefore familiar with the road
· There is an even spread over weekdays
· As expected there are more accidents during the peak hours but not as high a percentage as the increase in traffic
Some preventative measures were discussed at the meeting which included speed restrictions as well as erecting high profile signs warning motorists about the amount of incidents that have happened near the tunnel over the past few years and to take extra care. Of course, the likelihood of accidents would be lower if drivers kept their speed more under control.
Tim will be visiting the tunnel soon during one of the closures for routine maintenance and will meet the HA again once the Police publish their report to discuss what action can be taken- which should happen imminently.