Issue - meetings

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.  Notice must be given in writing or by email 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.

One petition has been received from Witley Parish Council and the petition details and response are attached.

A petition was received from Witley Parish Council to “Install a speed VAS and a junction warning VAS, and to implement some improvements to signage, road markings and speed limit locations on the A283, along with some changes to the New Road junction”

This site falls between the Godalming South, Milford and Witley division and the Eastern Villages division and therefore it would be at the discretion of the divisional members to decide whether they wish to part fund any or all of the proposed works. However, both Witley and Hambledon Parish Council's may wish to fund the works themselves and the County Council would be happy to undertake the projects on their behalf subject to the funds being made available.

The local committee agreed:

That the Chair and the Divisional member write to the Cabinet Member (Highways) on this issue.

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Frank Apicella, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: One, as detailed

A petition was received from Witley Parish Council to “Install a speed VAS and a junction warning VAS, and to implement some improvements to signage, road markings and speed limit locations on the A283, along with some changes to the New Road junction”

The Lead Petitioner, Steve Dale (Witley Parish Council, Lead Member for Highways) introduced the report by stating that residents were concerned about the A283 between Witley and Chiddingfold, including where there is a private access to Orchard Farm.

The 3 Parish Councils expressed a view that they would like a 40mph speed limit through the section of road.  He stated that there had been good liaison with Surrey County Council Highways and Surrey Police and 3 speed assessments had been undertaken where the outcomes were that the speed limits were appropriate. However, it was deemed appropriate for VAS signs to be installed. The Parish Councils, would however, still like to see a speed limit reduction.  Where the A283 leaves Witley the speed is 30mph, this moves to a 40mph, then 50 mph before reducing to 30mph at Chiddingfold.

There were particular areas of concern:

New Road junction – poor visibility obscured with hedges. Officers recommended a VAS sign to highlight the junction which would be £15,000.

Wormley Hill itself – the crest of the hill – concern with speeding over the crest – Officers suggested moving the 40mph limit to further down the hill and including solid white lines to advise drivers of the situation.

The petitioner noted that although most of the drivers were within the correct speed limits, it would only take one person driving inappropriately to cause an issue.

Peter Martin, divisional member, noted the officers report and supported the VAS signage for the New Road junction and the need to explore how to find the £15,000 required (although the cost seemed high). He asked Officers to look again at the requests, as could this area could be an exception to the current speed limit policy and the Chair and Vice Chair could ask Cllr Furniss (Cabinet Member) to see whether an exception might be made.

The Chair noted the wish to ask Cllr Furniss to consider this area for an exception. She added that Duncan Knox was leading on a project to lower national speed limits in some areas.

Members also noted that the New Road junction with the A283 was dangerous as sightlines to the south were virtually non-existent and the need for Surrey Police to provide more resources to enforce speed limits.

The local committee agreed:

That the Chair and the Divisional member write to the Cabinet Member (Highways) on this issue.