A
new sign has recently appeared on the A27 on the Eastbound carriageway, just west
of the Hillbarn traffic lights. The problem is that the
sign says "Welcome to LANCING". Unfortunately, it is not only some half
a mile before the actual border (which, of course is just past the new footbridge
at Boundstone Lane), but it in fact right in the middle of Sompting! The
sign has been installed as part of a general upgrading of a number of signs on
this stretch of the A27, and replacing solid poles with lattice poles, which are
presumably more accident friendly. According to the Highways
Agency, who are responsible for the A27, they consulted with West Sussex County
Council about the location of the boundary between the two villages. However,
the County Council do not appear to have any record of this consultation. The
Parish Council in Sompting were also not consulted about any of the upgrading
work on the roadsigns. There are obviously two aspects to
this issue. The most important one is the fact that roadsigns are supposed to
inform motorists with useful information. Suggesting they have entered Lancing
when they haven't, especially just before a major junction, is bound to cause
confusion to people who do not know the area, and may end up turning down Busticle
Lane looking for the centre of Lancing, whereas in fact they should be going on
to the Manor roundabout, and turning down Grinstead Lane. The
other issue is that with continuing urban sprawl, small villages like Sompting
can easily lose their identity, and incorrect signing such as this simply adds
to the problem. | 
