Busy Brighton road may get cattle grid

Cattle grids may be fitted on one of the main roads into and out of Brighton.

More than 300 respondents to a consultation were worried about sheep and cows grazing close to fast-moving traffic in Ditchling Road.

Changes are planned to make the road better for people on foot and bicycles on the approach to the South Downs National Park.

The proposals include lower speed limits and a shared cycle and pedestrian path but not everyone is convinced that Ditchling Road is somewhere sheep may safely graze.

Labour councillor Gill Mitchell said: “I’m glad to see the police comment that they see open grazing as part of a traffic speed reduction scheme.

“What we’d ask is that you get the speed reduction first.”

Conservative transport spokesman Councillor Graham Cox said: “It’s definitely eyebrow-raising, this business of having sheep grazing.

“Are we going to sacrifice a couple of sheep in the cause of speed reduction? I’d want that in writing – and signed – from the police.”

The proposal was part of a package of measures put forward by Brighton and Hove City Council rather than Sussex Police. The police were consulted.

Conservative group leader Councillor Geoffrey Theobald said: “This question of sheep running loose either side of the road is really worrying some of my residents. They don’t feel their questions have been answered.”

Council official Abby Hone said: “The open grazing proposal requires further investigation, including the livestock grids.”

Councillor Mitchell said: “There is anecdotal evidence that there’s more traffic in Ditchling Road now since the changes to Lewes Road. It’s susceptible to mist. I’m glad to see you’ve pulled back on the sheep grazing.”

One tongue-in-cheek suggestion after the meeting at Hove Town Hall on Tuesday (8 October) was that cattle grids might also have some benefit in West Street on Friday and Saturday nights.