RESIDENTS in a village near Petersfield have approached one of the country's top "urban designers" to ease their traffic woes.

People in Rogate appear to have snubbed a £60,000 offer from West Sussex County Council to erect a puffin crossing on the A272 at Habin Hill.

Opponents have criticised the position of the proposed crossing and claim the scheme was railroaded through by a former councillor.

But they still want to slow the traffic and believe an architect with a world-class reputation could help them more than the county council.

Ben Hamilton-Baillie has "enthralled" residents with suggestions to impose a continental-style approach to Rogate village centre.

The Bristol architect is a renowned expert in traffic management and street design who has transformed numerous towns and villages.

For full story, see this week's Herald.