Issue - meetings

Duncan Knox to present to the local committee a draft update to the county council’s policy on setting local speed limits and a new draft policy to address road safety outside schools, including school crossing patrols.

The Local Committee received a draft update to the county council’s policy on setting local speed limits and a new draft policy to address road safety outside schools, including school crossing patrols.

The Local Committee (Surrey Heath) noted that their comments would be taken into account prior to the policies being submitted to county council Cabinet for approval.

The Local Committee received a draft update to the county council’s policy on setting local speed limits and a new draft policy to address road safety outside schools, including school crossing patrols.

Councillors discussed road safety outside schools and what measures could be taken to improve safety.  It was noted that 20mph zones alone did not achieve anything and that often a series of physical highways measures were required.  There was a lot of anxiety amongst the public over road safety outside schools, which was not always backed by statistics, however one incident was one too many.  Councillors felt that each school situation needed to be looked at on its own merits and individual tailored solutions found – however, several schools were highlighted to Officers as priority (Cordwalles, Tomlinscote, Pine Ridge, Prior Road).  Parents were also encouraged to park considerately to avoid congestion during drop off / pick up times.  Councillors also raised concerns that the policies needed to be backed by resources and that there were only 4 staff members dealing with this issue for all Surrey Schools and there were no specific funds for highway safety improvements outside schools.

The Local Committee (Surrey Heath) noted that their comments would be taken into account prior to the policies being submitted to county council Cabinet for approval.