The Safer C7 Project

The purpose of the Safer C7 Project is to make this rural road in the South Downs National Park safer for all users.

We want to bring about driver behaviour and vehicle speeds which are appropriate for the location and nature of the road. This would enable all road users, including cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians, to enjoy the special qualities of this part of the National Park and, at the same time, improve the quality of life for people living and working near this road while helping to invigorate the local economy of the lower Ouse Valley.

We intend to commission a traffic calming strategy for the C7, based on the principles and exemplars in the South Downs National Park study, Roads in the South Downs; Enhancing the safety and quality of roads and places in the National Park, (June 2015).

The Safer C7 Project is a collaborative community project led by volunteers. It became a constituted entity in 2022.

A Management Committee for the project is comprised of project officers and other members of a small Project Delivery Team, made up of residents from the Lower Ouse Parishes and a representative from Northease Manor School.

Oversight of the project is provided by an Advisory Group consisting of the Chairs of the parishes of Kingston, Iford, Rodmell, Southease and Piddinghoe. Advice and support for the project is being provided by a number of ‘Affiliates’; ESCC councillors for the Ouse Valley West and Newhaven and Bishopstone, the LDC councillor for Kingston ward, the leader of Lewes District Council, a Lewes Town councillor, a representative from the South Downs National Park Authority (the board chair), and a representative from Northease Manor School.

The project was originated by a group known as POLO - the Parishes of the Lower Ouse; Kingston, Swanborough and Iford, Rodmell, Southease and Piddinghoe. POLO was established in 2000 as a means for these parishes to co-operate on matters of common interest. POLO consists of nominated representatives of the parish councils/meetings, our local Lewes District and ESCC councillors, and representatives of other local groups, such as a representative of Kingston Road and Cranedown Residents Association, and the Egrets Way Trust. Although POLO receives reports and gives advice on the project, it is not itself a formal entity, and could not therefore take on a formal role in the constitution of the project.

To make the C7 safe for all users we will:

Obtain support for the project from stakeholders including local parishes, district and county councillors, the South Downs National Park Authority, the East Sussex County Council Highways Authority and our MP. We will also seek the views of others who want to use the C7 to access the national park safely, such as walking, cycling and equestrian groups.

Measure and document local support for a Safer C7. This will include an updated survey of people who live and work along the C7, gathering evidence of their concerns about the current nature of the road and the impact that it has on their quality of life.

Generate funding for the cost of the survey through charitable grant applications, local council contributions and crowd funding.

Commission an appropriately qualified and experienced specialist traffic consultant.
Their brief will be to identify the opportunities for implementing traffic calming measures which will have the greatest impact on the safety of the C7, and to produce a costed design plan intended to reduce speed, address safety issues, and enhance the rural nature of the road.

Implement the scheme. We will use the design specification produced by the consultant as the basis for obtaining the funding required for the implementation of the recommended scheme.