Agenda item

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 14.1.  Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting.  Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council or Woking Borough Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

Petitions received:

a)    Mitigate and establish accountability for the Vicarage Road closure

b)    Provide a safer way for pedestrians to cross Littlewick Road in Woking

c)    Opposing Phase Two: The Residential Development of Rydens Way

There were four petitions received.

Petition A: Mitigate and establish accountability for the Vicarage Road Closure

In accordance with Standing Order 14.1, the committee received this petition.  The wording of the petition and the response is annexed to these minutes.

The petitioner was not present, but the following comment was noted:

·         There are often good reasons why works cannot be carried out 24/7 including health and safety, environmental health and the need for materials to set etc.

Petition B: Provide a safer way for pedestrians to cross Littlewick Road in Woking

In accordance with Standing Order 14.1 Mrs Kirsty Green presented this petition on behalf of local residents.  The petition contained 197 signatures, and the wording and response is annexed to these minutes.

Mrs Green presented the petition and explained that residents on the common have to cross Littlewick Road.  Residents feel isolated and at risk of being involved in an accident. There is poor visibility and a narrow pavement, and many people choose to drive short distances rather than risk walking.

The tabled response was noted. The following points were discussed:

·         Officers will meet councillors on site to look to see if it is possible to clear back the vegetation from the footpath, look at the old crossing further up and review signage

·         There are minimum standards for crossings, and officers will look to see what is possible in the location in terms of a centre island, but funding would need to be made available through committee.

·         Horsell Common Preservation Society offered to join the site visit to see how they could assist with clearing undergrowth.

Petition C: Opposing Phase Two: The residential development of Rydens Way

In accordance with Standing Order 14.1 Mrs Alison Tigwell presented this petition on behalf of local residents.  The petition contained 502 signatures, and the wording and response is annexed to these minutes.

Mrs Tigwell presented the petition and explained that the middle section of the proposed development would be on a roundabout, and the section in front of the college is regularly used by the college, dog walkers etc.  There has been an increase in accidents due to the changed road layout from the previous phase of the development, and residents are concerned that this may be an issue again.  Residents feel that as the land is publically owned, it should only be used for highway purposes.

The response was tabled and Cllr Kingsbury explained that there has not yet been a planning application for this development.  The committee noted the residents concerns, and confirmed that the residents should ensure that their concerns are fed in to Woking Borough Council Planning Department should a planning application be submitted.

A resident raised a question about the condition of the roads in Rydens Way.  It was noted that highway network is regularly inspected.  The area near Shackleford Road was highlighted and it was agreed that a response would be given to the petitioner. At the request of Mr Carasco, it was agreed that the response would also include any evidence of an increase in road accidents if possible.

Petition D: Objections to through traffic in Arnold Road, Woking

In accordance with Standing Order 14.1 Cllr Tahir Aziz presented this petition on behalf of local residents.  The petition contained 78 signatures, and the wording and response is annexed to these minutes.

Cllr Aziz explained that the petition was a follow up from the one presented last year due to the lack of response to that one.  Residents felt that the speed surveys previously done were done at the wrong time, and the passing traffic was resulting in a high level of fumes. Residents would like road humps, red surfacing on the junction of the road, 20mph speed limit and except for access signs.

The committee sought clarification from the petitioner regarding the petition and whether this petition superseded the previous one.  It was agreed that a detailed response would be brought to the next meeting of the committee which would address the issues presented in both petitions, and apologies were given to the petitioners on the length of time it has taken to provide a response.