Agenda item

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.  Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Partnership 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.

Three petitions have been received and officer responses are attached.

Petition 1 – Request for road safety measures on Blundel Lane/Steels Lane, Oxshot/Cobham

Lead petitioner: Elizabeth Donovan            Signatures:  254

Petition 2 – Request to resurface part of Hampton Court Way, Thames Ditton

Lead petitioner: Ros Rowlatt                       Signatures: 34

Petition 3 – Request to expand parking restrictions to Wey Road and Round Oak Road as part of the 2019/20 parking review

Lead petitioner: Mike O’Sullivan, Chair, Wey Road & Round Oak Road Residents’ Association                                Signatures: 64

That the Local Committee [Elmbridge] agreed:

Petition 1:

To await the outcome of the current Blundel Lane traffic study before considering further action.

Petition 3:

That the Parking Strategy and Implementation Manager to consider and agree the details of parking restrictions in Wey Road and Round Oak Road to be added to the 2019/20 parking review, in consultation with the divisional member and Local Committee Chairman. 

Reasons:  Petition 1 to ensure that available data can be fed into any future investigation.  Petition 3 to better regulate parking and improve access to shops, facilities and businesses.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager; Adrian Harris, Parking Engineer

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: Three petitions were received

Petition 1:  Elizabeth Donovan outlined the reasons for the petition.  Many residents would like to walk children to school down Steels Lane, but the pavement is narrow only on one side and vehicles travel fast.  She had hired a speed recorder which had been sited by the Oxshott sports centre.  Of the 16,000 vehicles recorded 10,000 were exceeding the speed limit.  At 9.00am 333 vehicles drove between 20 and 30 mph; 732 drove at between 30 and 50 mph and 1 drove between 50 and 60mph.  The petitioner would like to see the installation of a speed table and a 20mph speed limit.

Petition 2:  Ros Rowlatt presented the petition, indicating that the joint between the concrete slab had expanded and residents can both hear and feel the effects in their properties, particularly when HGVs pass over.  This is affecting their quality of life as a result of sleep disturbance and properties are developing cracks.  They have also witnessed accidents particularly for motorcyclists.  Residents have been told this is not a priority, as it is not a safety defect, although the Cabinet member for Highways has agreed that a repair is necessary.

Petition 3:  Michael O'Sullivan (Chair) of Wey Road & Round Oak Road Residents

Association indicated that between 750 and 1000 commuter vehicles park in Weybridge each year.  The town needs long stay parking, but not at the expense of short term parking and inconvenience for residents.  He is not requesting a resident only parking scheme and wants to make space available for short term parking for those wanting to access the town for shopping or business.

Member discussion –key points

Petition 1:  The Area Highway Manager responded that it is not unusual for drivers to exceed the speed limit as they make decisions on speed based on a variety of factors of which the speed limit is only one.  Average speed cameras are effective at reducing speeds but need to be prioritised at sites with known casualties.  It is likely that technology will be introduced in the near future which will automatically limit vehicle speeds which will remove the need for traffic calming.  A feasibility study to look at options could be considered, but it was agreed that any further action should await the outcome of the traffic study currently in progress.

Petition 2:  The Area Highways Manager reported that conversations are still taking place with the utility company to determine whether they should complete a repair, the Local Committee could agree to make a repair if this is unsuccessful.  Carrying out the repair and seeking to recoup the cost could result in the loss of evidence of the quality of the original repair. The Committee were concerned at the effects on the health and wellbeing of residents and asked the Area Highways Manager to follow up further with those involved with a view to resolving the issue as soon as possible.

Petition 3:  the divisional member was sympathetic to looking at an option for short term parking in this area and proposed that it should be added to the current parking review proposals on the agenda.

Resolved: That it was agreed:

Petition 1:

To await the outcome of the current Blundel Lane traffic study before considering further action.

Petition 3: [On a motion proposed by Tim Oliver and seconded by Cllr Harman it was agreed]

That the Parking Strategy and Implementation Manager to consider and agree the details of parking restrictions in Wey Road and Round Oak Road to be added to the 2019/20 parking review, in consultation with the divisional member and Local Committee Chairman. 

Reasons:  Petition 1 to ensure that available data can be fed into any future investigation.  Petition 3 to better regulate parking and improve access to shops, facilities and businesses.