Jess Brown-Fuller MP calls for safer road crossing on St Paul’s Road

Jess Brown-Fuller MP met with campaigners at the junction of Norwich Road, Sherborne Road and St Paul’s Road who have been campaigning for a road crossing to connect the Parklands and East Broyle estates, particularly for local children and elderly people who cross the road to access local schools, shops, and bus services.  

Jess was joined by local District and City Councillors, and members of the local campaign group formed in July 2025 by Sue Walters, with the support of the East Broyle Residents Association (EBRA). The group was set up in response to increasing traffic at the junction, including vehicles linked to the Minerva Heights housing development and regular farm traffic. 

The staggered junction layout at the site has raised concerns, as drivers pulling out may struggle to see pedestrians or oncoming cyclists. Police data shows nine reported accidents at the junction over the past five years, including two serious injuries. 

In October 2025, the campaign group submitted a petition with 936 signatures to West Sussex County Council Highways, calling for a permanent controlled crossing such as a puffin crossing. West Sussex County Council recorded 205 pedestrians and cyclists using the crossing on 7 October 2025. 

Those expected to benefit most from a controlled crossing include local schoolchildren, elderly and disabled residents, and people accessing nearby shops and GP services. A Community Highways application submitted last year was not approved and is due to be resubmitted. 

During the visit, Jess Brown-Fuller MP met campaigners at the site to hear directly about their concerns and to better understand the safety issues at the junction. 

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, said:  

“I am grateful to the residents and campaigners who invited me to see this junction first-hand and to explain their concerns so clearly. It is evident that this is a busy and challenging crossing, particularly for schoolchildren, older residents, disabled people and those accessing local services.  

"The strength of local feeling, shown by the number of petition signatures and the detailed work undertaken by the campaign group, makes a very strong case for action. People should be able to cross their roads safely, and I fully support the community’s efforts to secure a permanent, controlled crossing at this location.” 

Sue Walters, founder of the campaign group, said:  

"For years local residents have been urging WSCC to implement a permanent, safer solution to the hazardous junction between St, Pauls, Norwich and Sherborne roads, to ensure the safety of all pedestrians crossing to schools, GP surgeries and local shops.  

"The increase in traffic due to housing developments, along with the presences of tractors has escalated the danger. We believe we need a Puffin crossing at this site to make it safer." 

City Councillor Louise Pramas (Chichester West), said: 

“As a Chichester City Councillor, I hear the lack of a safe crossing for all pedestrian and cycle users across St Paul's Road at the junction of Sherborne Road and Norwich Road is a concern for many residents, and even more so since Jessie Younghusband School has moved to its new home on Minerva Heights.  

"Many residents with mobility difficulties also struggle throughout the day to cross the road safely in order to access the pharmacy and local shops on Parklands, or to travel to amenities such as the Graylingwell Estate or Hospital in the other direction. Unfortunately, despite best efforts by Councillors and a very active local community group to bring this to the attention of West Sussex County Council, there does not seem to be any appetite to support our community with a puffin crossing at this time.  

"I am grateful for all of the hard work of members of the Safer Crossing Campaign Group to raise the profile of this issue and will continue to support them, and would like to thank our MP Jess Brown-Fuller for coming to meet with us all today and offering to  heartily support our efforts.” 

Jess with members of the Safer Crossing Group