Agenda item

(i)            A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Simon Jaggard which contained 517 signatures and read:

“Reduce the speed limit outside St. Joseph's Specialist School, Cranleigh; 20mph is plenty.

Amlets lane has a 40 mph speed limit, with no pavement or properly marked crossings.  It is dangerous for our children, staff and the public to cross the road to reach public footpaths.  The blind corners makes evasive action difficult for both pedestrians and motorists.  The new family housing development (125+ homes) opposite will bring more children onto Amlets lane and increased traffic; cars, bicycles and on foot.  Amlets Lane is narrow and not suitable for a 40 mph speed limit; to drive at this speed would be reckless and the limit invites this from the young and impatient.  We ask that Surrey County Council reduce the speed limit to 20mph in line with other schools for the public good.”

Petition response report attached.

(ii)           A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Stewart Edge and Jo Aylwin which contained 178 signatures and read:

“Potters Gate Primary School Pedestrian Safety Improvements Petition.

We, the undersigned, petition Surrey County Council to make the roads around Potters Gate Primary School (Beavers Road, Potters Gate and part of Falkner Road) significantly safer by introducing a 20 mph limit and by installing any other behaviour-changing improvements on these roads.  The West St / Crondall Lane junction also needs significant improvement.

During the morning rush hour cars use Beavers Road / Falkner Road as a ‘rat run’ to avoid the jams in lower Crondall Lane approaching the West St junction, and as a short cut to the Hart Car Park.  Along Beavers Road there are parked cars reducing the road to a single carriageway.  Many children, including all those on the ‘safe route’ using the Crondall Lane pedestrian lights, have to cross this road, often between parked cars.  The situation will worsen with the development of 120 houses at the Hopfields for which Crondall Lane is the only exit.  There are ‘S106’ funds available from the development which could be used for some or all of the work.”

Petition response report attached.

(i)         A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Simon Jaggard which contained 517 signatures and read:

“Reduce the speed limit outside St. Joseph's Specialist School, Cranleigh; 20mph is plenty.

Amlets lane has a 40 mph speed limit, with no pavement or properly marked crossings.  It is dangerous for our children, staff and the public to cross the road to reach public footpaths.  The blind corners makes evasive action difficult for both pedestrians and motorists.  The new family housing development (125+ homes) opposite will bring more children onto Amlets lane and increased traffic; cars, bicycles and on foot.  Amlets Lane is narrow and not suitable for a 40 mph speed limit; to drive at this speed would be reckless and the limit invites this from the young and impatient.  We ask that Surrey County Council reduce the speed limit to 20mph in line with other schools for the public good.”

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:

(i)      To approve a new lower 30 mph speed limit on Amlets Lane from the junction with Smithwood Common Road to the junction with Barhatch Lane.  A speed limit order will be advertised and authority delegated to the Area Highways Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Divisional Member for Cranleigh to consider any objections before proceeding.

(ii)     To approve proposals for an improved crossing facility on Amlets Lane between the school and the public footpath 346 (leading to Cranleigh alongside the new Cala Homes development).  This will consist of a small area of footway with dropped kerbs on the north side (school side) of Amlets Lane which will be accessed by a new gate in the school boundary wall.

(iii)       That the above schemes (estimated at about £30,000) will be funded from developer contributions from the adjacent Cala Homes development “Amlets Place”.

Reason: The proposed highway measures would improve the safety of pupils on Amlets Lane when walking between St Joseph’s School and Cranleigh Village.  A new crossing point and school pedestrian gate opposite the existing rural path (footpath 346) used by teachers and pupils to walk to and from Cranleigh will remove the need for them to walk or stand in the carriageway when trying to cross Amlets Lane.  A reduction of the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph along Amlets Lane would encourage lower speeds and so reduce the risk and severity of collisions.

(ii)        A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Stewart Edge and Jo Aylwin which contained 178 signatures and read:

“Potters Gate Primary School Pedestrian Safety Improvements Petition.

We, the undersigned, petition Surrey County Council to make the roads around Potters Gate Primary School (Beavers Road, Potters Gate and part of Falkner Road) significantly safer by introducing a 20 mph limit and by installing any other behaviour-changing improvements on these roads.  The West St / Crondall Lane junction also needs significant improvement.

During the morning rush hour cars use Beavers Road / Falkner Road as a ‘rat run’ to avoid the jams in lower Crondall Lane approaching the West St junction, and as a short cut to the Hart Car Park.  Along Beavers Road there are parked cars reducing the road to a single carriageway.  Many children, including all those on the ‘safe route’ using the Crondall Lane pedestrian lights, have to cross this road, often between parked cars.  The situation will worsen with the development of 120 houses at the Hopfields for which Crondall Lane is the only exit.  There are ‘S106’ funds available from the development which could be used for some or all of the work.”

A change of wording to recommendation (i) was proposed by Mr Andy MacLeod and seconded by Cllr Jerry Hyman.  A correction to the spelling of Falkner Road was also noted.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:

(i)         To approve a new lower 20 mph zone or limit along the whole extent of Beavers Road, Falkner Road and Potters Gate.  This will be supported through the implementation of traffic calming or two vehicle activated signs on Falkner Road or Beavers Road.  The proposals will be funded from “section 106” contributions from the developer of the nearby housing development of “Hopfields”.

(ii)        That all the relevant 20 mph zone/limit and traffic calming orders will be advertised and authority delegated to the Area Highways Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Divisional Member for Farnham Central to consider any objections before proceeding.

(iii)       That the Safer Travel Team work with the school to update and monitor their existing school travel plan using the new online Modeshift STARS system, and invite the school to take up more of the road safety training and resources offered by the Safer Travel Team.

Reason: The proposed lower 20 mph zone or limit would help improve the road environment to encourage more walking, cycling and scooting to school.  The proposals would therefore also help reduce congestion and driver frustration, and contribute to improved air quality near the school.  The recommended school travel plan and road safety training improvements would also help to improve road safety and reduce reliance on the car for the school journey too.

(i)         A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Simon Jaggard which contained 517 signatures and read:

“Reduce the speed limit outside St. Joseph's Specialist School, Cranleigh; 20mph is plenty.

Amlets lane has a 40 mph speed limit, with no pavement or properly marked crossings.  It is dangerous for our children, staff and the public to cross the road to reach public footpaths.  The blind corners makes evasive action difficult for both pedestrians and motorists.  The new family housing development (125+ homes) opposite will bring more children onto Amlets lane and increased traffic; cars, bicycles and on foot.  Amlets Lane is narrow and not suitable for a 40 mph speed limit; to drive at this speed would be reckless and the limit invites this from the young and impatient.  We ask that Surrey County Council reduce the speed limit to 20mph in line with other schools for the public good.”

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Duncan Knox, SCC Road Safety and Active Travel Team Manager.

The Chairman invited the petitioner Simon Jaggard to speak.  Mr Jaggard said he was pleased with the report and while it did not go the full way to meet the petition’s requests, he is happy with the outcome.

Local members welcomed the report and requested a timeline for the agreed actions.  The SCC Road Safety manager replied that it would depend on when the developer funding is made available.  The schemes would also need to be advertised.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:

(i)      To approve a new lower 30 mph speed limit on Amlets Lane from the junction with Smithwood Common Road to the junction with Barhatch Lane.  A speed limit order will be advertised and authority delegated to the Area Highways Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Divisional Member for Cranleigh to consider any objections before proceeding.

(ii)     To approve proposals for an improved crossing facility on Amlets Lane between the school and the public footpath 346 (leading to Cranleigh alongside the new Cala Homes development).  This will consist of a small area of footway with dropped kerbs on the north side (school side) of Amlets Lane which will be accessed by a new gate in the school boundary wall.

(iii)       That the above schemes (estimated at about £30,000) will be funded from developer contributions from the adjacent Cala Homes development “Amlets Place”.

Reason: The proposed highway measures would improve the safety of pupils on Amlets Lane when walking between St Joseph’s School and Cranleigh Village.  A new crossing point and school pedestrian gate opposite the existing rural path (footpath 346) used by teachers and pupils to walk to and from Cranleigh will remove the need for them to walk or stand in the carriageway when trying to cross Amlets Lane.  A reduction of the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph along Amlets Lane would encourage lower speeds and so reduce the risk and severity of collisions.

(ii)        A petition was received at the 29 June Local Committee from Stewart Edge and Jo Aylwin which contained 178 signatures and read:

“Potters Gate Primary School Pedestrian Safety Improvements Petition.

We, the undersigned, petition Surrey County Council to make the roads around Potters Gate Primary School (Beavers Road, Potters Gate and part of Falkner Road) significantly safer by introducing a 20 mph limit and by installing any other behaviour-changing improvements on these roads.  The West St / Crondall Lane junction also needs significant improvement.

During the morning rush hour cars use Beavers Road / Falkner Road as a ‘rat run’ to avoid the jams in lower Crondall Lane approaching the West St junction, and as a short cut to the Hart Car Park.  Along Beavers Road there are parked cars reducing the road to a single carriageway.  Many children, including all those on the ‘safe route’ using the Crondall Lane pedestrian lights, have to cross this road, often between parked cars.  The situation will worsen with the development of 120 houses at the Hopfields for which Crondall Lane is the only exit.  There are ‘S106’ funds available from the development which could be used for some or all of the work.”

The petitioner Stewart Edge was unable to attend, but he had discussed the report with his local member Mr Andy MacLeod, saying that he was delighted with the report and he asked Mr MacLeod to thank officers on his behalf.

The SCC Road Safety Manager commented that a 20 mph limit requires illuminated signs, whereas a 20 mph zone does not, so costs less to implement.  The options are still to be considered.

A change of wording to recommendation (i) was proposed by Mr Andy MacLeod and seconded by Cllr Jerry Hyman.  A correction to the spelling of Falkner Road was also noted.

The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:

(i)         To approve a new lower 20 mph zone or limit along the whole extent of Beavers Road, Falkner Road and Potters Gate.  This will be supported through the implementation of traffic calming or two vehicle activated signs on Falkner Road or Beavers Road.  The proposals will be funded from “section 106” contributions from the developer of the nearby housing development of “Hopfields”.

(ii)        That all the relevant 20 mph zone/limit and traffic calming orders will be advertised and authority delegated to the Area Highways Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Divisional Member for Farnham Central to consider any objections before proceeding.

(iii)       That the Safer Travel Team work with the school to update and monitor their existing school travel plan using the new online Modeshift STARS system, and invite the school to take up more of the road safety training and resources offered by the Safer Travel Team.

Reason: The proposed lower 20 mph zone or limit would help improve the road environment to encourage more walking, cycling and scooting to school.  The proposals would therefore also help reduce congestion and driver frustration, and contribute to improved air quality near the school.  The recommended school travel plan and road safety training improvements would also help to improve road safety and reduce reliance on the car for the school journey too.