Fatal crash sparks calls to make ‘dangerous’ Horsham road safer

On Saturday, January 30, an 18-year-old woman died in a crash on Worthing Road. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined.

Cyclist Martin Read, 81, is calling on West Sussex County Council to make the ‘busy’ road safer.

He said: “Last Saturday an accident on the B2237 Worthing Road from Horsham towards Southwater resulted in the catastrophic loss of life of a young driver.

“While speculation as to the cause of the accident is inappropriate, the tragedy does serve to highlight the dangers presented by this narrow former country road.”

Martin said the road is now busy and said measures should be put in place to keep users safe.

He added: “It is clear that its narrowness is inherently dangerous, with no separation between vehicles and cyclists, protruding drains, lack of lighting on the hill, and the uneven surface on the inside of the outgoing stretch before and after the Boar’s Head, all creating dangers.”

Martin said he met with West Sussex Highways officials almost four years ago but ‘no real improvements were made’.

He added: “As a regular user by car and bicycle – the latter resembling a travelling Christmas tree – almost every journey sees a potential accident.

“With cycling being encouraged nationally to promote the benefits of healthy exercise and preserve the environment, a non-intrusive cycle path is needed on the edge of the upwards carriageway beyond the bridge - widening the road is not the answer, as that would merely serve to increase the already too high traffic speeds.

“Meanwhile, I send heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the teenage victim of the recent accident in the hope that no others will have to mourn the loss of a loved one on the dangerous B2237.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young woman who died on the Worthing Road in Southwater on Saturday.

“The police are carrying out an accident investigation and we await their findings. It would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.”