Agenda item

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.  Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail 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’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

Petitions to be received at this meeting:

1.    To resurface Fleet Close, West Molesey (32 signatures)

2.    To urgently improve road safety on Manor Rd North leading to Claygate Lane for all pedestrians and cyclists (529 signatures)

3.    To introduce a lorry ban on Egerton Rd, Weybridge (16 signatures)

4.    To amend Traffic Regulation Order in Mayfield Rd so residents of Waterloo House and similar future developments are not eligible to apply for residents’ parking permits (66 signatures).

Four petitions were received. They are attached in Annexes C, D and E.

Petition 1

The resident, Kevin Shields, presented the petition requesting the resurfacing of Fleet Close, explaining the road provides vehicular access to houses, flat and garages to the residents of both Fleet Close and Fleetside and pedestrian access to Island Farm Rd where a shop is located and which, along with Central Avenue, has major bus routes.  The road has been in existence approximately 42 years and has worn well over this period until the last 9 months when it has deteriorated due to heavy lorries and machinery using the road on an almost daily basis to access the site on the old Surveyor Public House grounds. He added that as it is a cul-de-sac the vehicles need to turn around in the road which has cut up the road surface, particularly the corner which is used to access Island Farm Road and this is a safety concern for the elderly and very young.  The petitioner asked whether, when planning permission was granted, was there no provision requiring the construction company to make good any damage caused to the road.  He finished by saying that although they are keen for the repairs to take place as soon as possible they do not think it should be down to the taxpayers to fund them.

The Chairman told the petitioner that a response will be provided at the next meeting on 21^st March 2016.

Petition 2

Wendy Vinzce, a resident, presented the petition requesting Surrey County Council to urgently improve road safety on Manor Road North leading to Claygate Lane for all pedestrians and cyclists.  She explained that the petition has huge support including from local schools, local councillors, residents, Elmbridge Sustainable Transport Team and voluntary groups with 1,076 signatures and 136 letters of support.  The number of school children crossing the road has increased with Hinchley Wood Secondary School number on role increasing from 1100 to 1300 and the primary school changing from 1 form to 3 form entry. Too many near misses are taking place on this section of road. She added the main concern is the secondary school children, who we know are not risk averse. Drivers have also said they do not like travelling along that stretch of road.

She said that the Elmbridge Sustainable Transport Team had visited the location in June and will be revisiting in January 2016 to assess the situation as part of Road safety outside schools, along with the Highways and the Police.

Mike Bennison, the Divisional Member, thanked the petitioners for bringing their petition and for the good presentation.

A response will be provided at the next meeting on 21^st  March 2016.

Petition 3

Paul Welham, a resident, presented the petition requesting a lorry ban in Egerton Road, Weybridge. He explained that this is a purely residential road, which is being used by contractors’ lorries, who are accessing properties on St George’s Hill.  It is a narrow road, which is not suitable for lorries.  The contractors are parking the lorries making it difficult for residents to exit their driveways and they are particularly dangerous for children and the elderly.  In addition the lorry drivers can be rude and aggressive.  He added that the lorries had caused the damage which had led to the collapse of the drain at the corner of Old Avenue and Egerton Road.

Ramon Gray, the Divisional Member, said that there are a lot of HGVs and this was a significant problem for the residents, but thinks a restriction would be ineffective.  He explained if a ban was introduced the residents of Egerton Road would be happy, but the problem would be moved to another location and it would also increase the length of the journey for the contractors.  He asked the petitioner to contact him directly to discuss the anti-social behaviour issues.

A response to the petition had been tabled at the meeting as in Annex D.  Frank Apicella, the Highways officer, added to the tabled response by reiterating that a ban would mean that the problem would migrate to another location.

Petition 4

Elio Hannuna, a Hersham resident, presented the petition requesting the traffic regulation order in force in Mayfield Road to be amended so the residents of Waterloo House and other future developments are not eligible to apply of residents or visitor parking permits as part of the existing scheme.  He explained that the residents of Waterloo House have their own parking and the residents’ bays in the road are needed for those people who don’t have alternative places to park.  The current situation is that there are very few bays and if the residents of Waterloo House and similar developments are allowed to park, it will mean that people are leaving their cars in roads where they are not residents. He added that already there are vehicles which have been left in the bays for over a week without having been moved.

Rikki Hill, the Parking Project Team leader, added to the response tabled at the meeting, as per Annex E, by confirming that the team will be looking at the whole area as part of the current Strategy.  He also said that Elmbridge Borough Council had advised that only 4 permits so far had been issued to Waterloo House residents and there was no reason to believe that there would be more requests.