Issue - meetings

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.  Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Partnership Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting.  Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

Two petitions has been received and officer responses are provided.

Ember Lane – Petition to implement traffic calming measures to reduce speeds.

177 signatures. Lead Petitioner – Mrs Jo Cochran

Sopwith Drive – Petition to Create safe pedestrian access for children and the disabled to Brooklands Community Park, the Children’s Nursery and Brooklands Retail Park

306 signatures. Lead petitioner - Marion Malcher, Footpath Officer, Byfleet, West Byfleet & Pyrford Residents Association

The Local Committee (Elmbridge) agreed:

Ember Lane

That funding be allocated from the Committee’s parking surplus to fund a feasibility study in Ember Lane to inform a decision on what work, if any, may be required in the area to improve safety.

Sopwith Drive

To support and work with the Woking Joint Committee should it prioritise and promote a feasibility study for suitable measures in the area to improve pedestrian safety.

Reasons: to respond to issues raised by local residents in the form of petitions to the Committee.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: Two petitions were received

Petition 1 – Ember Lane

The petitioner indicated that she was representing a number of local residents concerned at the excessive speed of vehicles on this road.  The sharp bend takes drivers by surprise and it is fortunate that there has not been a serious injury to a pedestrian as cars have mounted the pavement.  The situation is particularly bad at night when there is less traffic.  The road is used my many children who walk to four local schools and is also a regularly used cycle route.

Petition 2 – Sopwith Drive

The petitioner indicated that several schemes had been proposed in this area over a number of years and residents have now been waiting for action for some time.  There is no safe crossing where the footpath crosses the road, particularly for those with children, refuges are not considered suitable for vulnerable children.  In addition many park users also go to and from Tesco car park there is no safe crossing and no pavement at the park entrance.

Member discussion –key points

Petition 1 – Members indicated that this is a road used by people from a wide area and they are aware of several serious incidents probably resulting from the two sharp bends in the road which often take drivers by surprise.  Local people have not seen any police enforcement activity.  It was suggested that hatching in the centre of the road can encourage speeding and adding a cycle lane to the side to bring traffic to the centre of the road may help.  They were supportive of a feasibility study to identify possible options for improvement.

Petition 2 – Local members were aware of a need in this area and it was suggested that this could perhaps be considered through the Brooklands Accessibility Project.  They were happy to work with members of the Woking Joint Committee.

Resolved:

Ember Lane

That funding be allocated from the Committee’s parking surplus to fund a feasibility study in Ember Lane to inform a decision on what work, if any, may be required in the area to improve safety.

Sopwith Drive

To support and work with the Woking Joint Committee should it prioritise and promote a feasibility study for suitable measures in the area to improve pedestrian safety.

Reasons: to respond to issues raised by local residents in the form of petitions to the Committee.