Agenda item

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

Petitions have been received as follows:

1.     A petition presented by Mrs R Burbridge requesting a pedestrian crossing over Cranleigh High Street to be located between the Baptist Church and Jewson’s depot.

2.     A petition presented by Mr Derek Joseph requesting speed management in High Street Green and Pickhurst Road, Chiddingfold.

3.     A petition presented by Ms Emma Ayres and Mr Daryl Woodley requesting improved safety on the road running through Alfold.

4.     A petition presented by Ms Miriam Forster and Ms Rachel Hill requesting a pedestrian crossing over Falkner Road, Farnham to improve safety for pedestrians, especially children.

Proposed responses to the petitions presented had been circulated in advance and appear as Annex 1 of the minutes.

1.        Mrs R Burbridge presented a petition requesting a pedestrian crossing over Cranleigh High Street to be located between the Baptist Church and Jewson’s depot.  She felt that older and disabled people found it difficult to cross the road quickly enough and drew attention to the absence of crossings in this stretch of the High Street, in contrast to the multiple opportunities to cross the High Street east of Stocklund Square and in Ewhurst Road.  She did not believe that, as suggested in the proposed response, a crossing would reduce the number of on-street parking spaces adjacent to the shops. 

It was confirmed that the request would remain on the holding list of the Cranleigh and Eastern Villages Task Group for future consideration.

2.        Mr D Joseph presented a petition requesting the implementation of a 40mph speed limit in Pickhurst Road, High Street Green and Fisher Lane on the outskirts of Chiddingfold.  Signatories felt that the national limit is inappropriate for rural roads of this nature and were concerned about increasing use with the expansion of Dunsfold Park.

The AHM, as set out in the tabled response, referred to the provisions of Surrey’s Setting Local Speed Limits Policy.  He explained that a reduced speed limit may become an inappropriate ‘target’ for drivers and that the necessary signage might be considered by some as inappropriate in a rural area.  It was confirmed that the request would remain on the holding list of the Cranleigh and Eastern Villages Task Group for consideration in the year 2017/18.

3.        Ms E Ayres presented a petition requesting improved safety on the road running through Alfold.  Ms Ayres described the location of greatest concern in the centre of the village where a section of road, on an incline and bounded at each end by a sharp bend with poor visibility and subject to on-street parking, has been the site of recent accidents (including, tragically, a fatality).  Residents regularly observe verbal disputes and vehicles mounting the kerbs.  HGV use is significant.  Deliveries at the shop and children using buses were also sources of concern.

The AHM welcomed the activity of a Community Speed Watch in Alfold.  He noted that proposed residential developments in the vicinity may yield funding which could be allocated for improvements to the highway.  The 40mph limit between the village centre and Alfold Crossways is not ideal in this location and significant intervention would be needed to reduce speeds.  The chairman asked the AHM to ensure that appropriate action is taken soon.

4.      Ms M Forster and Ms R Hill presented a petition requesting a pedestrian crossing over Falkner Road, Farnham to improve safety for pedestrians, especially children.  Potters Gate School attracts a substantial amount of traffic at either end of the school day.  Signage is felt to be inadequate and there is a concern that risks will increase with rising pupil numbers and new residential developments in the vicinity.  In a survey a large proportion of parents expressed concern about road safety, vehicle speeds and parking; many would support a pedestrian crossing and a 20mph speed limit.  It was felt that improved safety would encourage older pupils to walk to school.

The AHM undertook to investigate what measures might be possible to improve the situation in the short term and would ask a member of his team to meet parent representatives on site and assess the problems.  The chairman, as divisional county councillor, had asked for sight of the School Travel Plan for Potters Gate School.  It was confirmed that the request would remain on the holding list of the Farnham Task Group for future consideration.