Councillors and committees

Agenda item

PETITIONS

To receive the following petitions in accordance with Standing Order 65:

 

a) To repair the road surface on Dean Close

 

b) To resurface Holyoake Avenue

 

c) To provide a safe crossing for pedestrians at Hermitage Roundabout, Knaphill

Minutes:

In accordance with Standing Order 65, Mr Malcolm Cuckow presented the following petition on behalf of local residents.  The petition received 43 signatures.

 

Residents within the Close are anxious to have road repairs undertaken urgently before a major accident occurs at the junction of Dean Close and Old Woking Road.

  

Related issues are:-

 

  1. Car travel over the affected area is very uncomfortable for the passenger but, equally important, damaging to car suspensions unless great care is taken.

 

  1. The road is subject to ponding and in the present weather conditions could freeze and be invisible to users, if covered with a sprinkling of snow - the worst possible condition at a major junction.   It is an accident waiting to happen.

 

  1. The whole situation has been very much aggravated by the residents of Ellesmere, leaving 3 cars permanently parked on the road thus reducing the exit/entry to Dean Close to single way working. 

 

Mr Cuckow introduced the petition and showed the committee some photographs of the condition of the road. He noted that over the past 20 years there have only been a few repairs undertaken and these have since broken down leaving an unstable road base.  Over time the road surface has stretched and there are a number of deep pot holes.  When there is heavy rain, the road becomes flooded, and residents are concerned that if this freezes the junction will become very dangerous.  The petitioners would like essential road works to be undertaken.

 

The Chairman invited Andrew Milne to respond.  Andrew explained that, subject to committee approval later on in the agenda, the road would be resurfaced by the end of the summer.

 

The Chairman thanked the petitioner for coming.

 

 

In accordance with Standing Order 65, Mrs Libby Davis presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. The petition received 47 signatures.

 

The road surface in Holyoake Avenue is full of potholes, and also very uneven. These potholes require constant repair by the council, resulting in yet another small patch of tarmac, leaving the rest to deteriorate to the point where one of us complains, and the process starts again.

 

The surface has also subsided in many places, making the problem much worse.  Therefore even if the potholes were all remedied the surface would still be uneven and difficult to drive over.

 

There is also a real risk of damage to vehicles, and injury to pedestrians who may wish to cross the road.

 

Residents have been advised that plans are in hand to resurface the left hand side of the road (looking towards the end of the cul-de-sac). Whilst this would be an improvement, it will not address the potholes and uneven surface on the right hand side.  To the best of my knowledge, no one living in Holyoake Avenue can remember the road ever having been resurfaced, and it is high time these problems were sorted out once and for all.

 

Mrs Davis introduced the petition, showed some photographs, and explained the residents’ concerns.  Cars tend to park on the right hand side of the road, which means the left hand side is heavily used. Since the recent snow, the potholes have got worse.  It would also be useful if the pavements could also be reviewed as some elderly residents have tripped.

 

The Chairman invited Andrew Milne to respond.  Andrew explained that, subject to committee approval later on in the agenda, the road would be resurfaced later in the year, hopefully before the end of the summer.

 

Cllr Davis asked for clarification as to whether the proposed works covered just the road, or whether the pavements were included as well.  Andrew Milne understood that it was just the road, but would provide clarification to Members outside the meeting.

 

The Chairman thanked the petitioner for coming.

 

 

In accordance with Standing Order 65, Mrs Coffey presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. The petition received 114 signatures.

 

Hermitage roundabout serves as a major route leading towards Woking, Guildford, Chobham and St Johns. In the mornings especially it is very busy. There are no pedestrian crossings or traffic lights anywhere at this roundabout. Pedestrians find it very difficult to cross the roundabout at these busy times. The roundabout also lies on a way to the Winston Churchill School and many students have to cross this dangerous crossing without any protection. Children often have to run to avoid the cars coming around the corner because there is also limited visibility on some corners. Disabled people would not be able to cross this roundabout safely. There is more and more traffic and the situation is unlikely to get any better. This petition invites the council to consider a safe pedestrian crossing with a traffic light on all corners of Hermitage roundabout.

 

Mrs Coffey introduced the petition and explained that the changes that have recently been made to the roundabout were helpful for pedestrians and had increased visibility, but there was still an issue with cars not slowing down at the roundabout and people not using their indicators. Disabled people really struggle with crossing the road.

 

The Chairman invited Andrew Milne to respond.  Andrew explained that the committee had also recently approved a reduction in the speed limit to 30mph, which should have helped pedestrians.  As the works to the roundabout have only just been completed, it is recommended that the works are left a while before reviewing them. If speeding continues to be an issue then this would be taken up with the police for enforcement.

 

It was agreed that an item would be added to the forward plan for 6 months time to see how the changes have worked, and look at what supplements might be possible longer term if required.

 

The Chairman thanked the petitioner for coming.