Agenda item

A speed limit assessment has been carried out in Church Lane, Doctors Lane and Hilltop Lane following the process set out in Surrey’s policy Setting Local Speed Limits.   As a result of this assessment, Chaldon Village Council are proposing to seek Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding to reduce the existing 60mph speed limit in Church Lane, in a section of Doctors Lane, and in a section of Hilltop Lane to 30mph.   This report seeks a decision on the changes to the speed limit in accordance with Surrey’s policy.

The Local Committee (Tandridge):

(i)            NOTED the results of the speed limit assessment undertaken.

(ii)           AGREED that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced from 60mph to 30mph in Church Lane between the junction with Rook Lane and the Surrey/Croydon  boundary; in the section of Doctors Lane between the existing 30mph speed limit and the junction with Church Lane  and in the section of Hilltop Lane between the junction with Rook Lane and the junction with Pilgrims Lane, in accordance with the current policy, and subject to £20,000 of external funding being available both to fund this speed limit reduction, and to fund a speed limit increase should the reduction in speed limit be unsuccessful;

(iii)          AGREED, to authorise the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed limit changes, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the changes, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

(iv)         AGREED, to authorise delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

(v)          NOTED that if the scheme is not successful, then a return to a higher speed limit may be necessary.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officer attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

The Area Highways Manager introduced the report and welcomed questions from the Committee.  It was noted that Chaldon Village Council supported the measures.  Community Infrastructure Levy funds are divided into two separate pots; strategic and neighbourhood funds.  The neighbourhood portion (15% or 25% if the Parish/Village Council have a neighbourhood plan) was being suggested for funding in this case as the proposed scheme was put forward and supported by the Village Council as a local priority.

Members Key Points:

·         Clarification was sought on the estimated expenditure of £20,000.  The Area Highways Manager advised that this would cover the legal paperwork and advertising costs of the Traffic Regulation Order, together with posts and signs.  The cost includes for the cost of potential changes to the speed limit in the unlikely event that the reduced speed limit does not result in the expected compliance to the new speed limit  Should the scheme be successful the additional funding would be returned. 

·         Some Members expressed frustrations that approval was sought for CIL funding, which should be for improving infrastructure in Tandridge is being used for Highway schemes, a cost that should be met by the County Council.  The Area Highways Manager advised that the Local Committee had the delegated authority to approve changes on the Highway in Tandridge.  The recommendations are for approval to make the Traffic Regulation Order and to install the change in speed limit, should there be Neighbourhood CIL funding allocated.   The funding would be from the neighbourhood CIL funds, which could be used for Highway works if the Village Council wished to prioritise, the funding would not be from the strategic CIL fund. 

·         The Divisional Member felt this was an overdue and important piece of work in this rural area.  He is committed to working with the council to ensure that the work could go forward and to search for further funding if required, but urged the Committee to agree the recommendations.

Resolution

The Local Committee (Tandridge):

(i)            NOTED the results of the speed limit assessment undertaken.

(ii)           AGREED that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced from 60mph to 30mph in Church Lane between the junction with Rook Lane and the Surrey/Croydon  boundary; in the section of Doctors Lane between the existing 30mph speed limit and the junction with Church Lane  and in the section of Hilltop Lane between the junction with Rook Lane and the junction with Pilgrims Lane, in accordance with the current policy, and subject to £20,000 of external funding being available both to fund this speed limit reduction, and to fund a speed limit increase should the reduction in speed limit be unsuccessful;

(iii)          AGREED, to authorise the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed limit changes, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the changes, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

(iv)         AGREED, to authorise delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

(v)          NOTED that if the scheme is not successful, then a return to a higher speed limit may be necessary.

Reason

The Committee agreed to change the speed limit on Church Lane, Doctors Lane and Hilltop Lane as speeds in accordance with Surrey’s speed limit policy, subject to external funding being available.