Agenda item

To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Tandridge District area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

(Responses will be provided at the meeting)

6 public questions had been received.

1) Mr Lemanski – funding for roads maintenance

The Chairman referred members to the response provided in the supplementary papers and confirmed the response had been sent to Mr Lemanski, who was unable to attend.

2) Mr Moulsley – parking restrictions on Whyteleafe Road

The Chairman referred Mr Moulsley to the response provided. Mr Moulsley asked a supplementary question concerning the specific detail of the restriction requested on Whyteleafe Road. The Chairman confirmed that the specific details of the scheme will be worked through by David Curl, Parking Implementation and Strategy Manager in consultation with the divisional member Mr John Orrick and Mr Moulsley. The Chairman confirmed the final locations will be approved by the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Divisional Member.

3)  District Councillor for Lingfield and Crowhurst Liz Lockwood – road safety in Lingfield

The Chairman referred Mrs Lockwood to the response provided in the supplementary papers.

Mrs Lockwood spoke from a script and provided a copy of this, along with photos of the problems and proposals to the clerk. Mrs Lockwood stated that a key objective for the Parish Council and the Neighbourhood Plan was to encourage the village’s prosperity and promote safer pedestrian access to the local shops. Mrs Lockwood feels that reducing the speed limit through a major portion of the village will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

Mrs Lockwood asked whether the committee would consider the request for a pedestrian refuge where the Godstone Road meets the roundabout, rather than immediately opposite the Post Office itself. Mrs Lockwood provided a photograph showing the desired location.

Mrs Lockwood also asked Highways to consider the position of the give-way markings for the traffic approaching the first pinch point when leaving the village and stated that the current positioning causes serious difficulties for cars exiting the driveway of the Thatched Cottage.

The Local Delivery Manager agreed to consider the options detailed by Mrs Lockwood and to come back to the committee with a response.

4 ) Mrs Dianne Vassalo – speed limit on Rockshaw Road

Mrs Vassalo did not attend the meeting. The Chairman confirmed that Mrs Vassalo had received the response to this question. Mrs Windsor asked a supplementary question on Mrs Vassalo’s behalf. She stated that while the Tandridge end of the road is considered rural, there are a number of private dwellings, and as such the only part which is rural is the bridge over the motorway. The response suggests a speed limit reduction could be considered if speed survey results are in line with the speed limit policy, however given that the issue residents face is cars being driven well in excess of the 50mph limit, how could this be achieved within the policy.

Mrs Windsor stated she was concerned that going over the motorway bridge it would be unlikely that cars would stick to the speed limit; she asked what else can be done to protect residents in this area.

The Senior Traffic Engineer agreed to arrange a site visit with Mrs Windsor to look at the issues. 

5) Mr Salter – speed limit on A25, Kent boundary to Limpsfield

The Chairman confirmed that Mr Salter had been sent the response as tabled in the supplementary papers.

Mr Salter submitted a supplementary question, which has been circulated to Highways and a response will be provided to Mr Salter after the meeting

6) District Councillor Nick Childs – speed limits in South Godstone and Blindley Heath

The Chairman referred Mr Childs to the response provided in the supplementary papers.

Mr Childs asked how soon the proposed speed surveys could be conducted and when the results would be available. He expressed concerns about the personal injury data in the response, and asked for clarification of the speed limit policy.

The Senior Traffic Engineer advised the speed survey would likely be undertaken in September.

Mr Hodge said that he could not support reducing the speed limit to 20mph on a major trunk road through the district. Mrs Windsor, the divisional member, concurred, stating that she supported a reduction to 30mph through Blindley Heath but not a reduction to 20mph through South Godstone.

The committee agreed to request that a speed camera van is located along the A22 at South Godstone on a regular basis over the next 3-4 months to act as a deterrent, with District Councillor Nick Childs and Divisional Member Mrs Helena Windsor asked to help identify the best location.