Agenda item

To answer any questions or receive a statement from any member of the public who lives, works or studies in the Elmbridge Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Partnership Committee Officer at least by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

Declarations of Interest: None.

Officer in attendance: Zena Curry (Highways Engagement & Commissioning Manager).

Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: Mrs Katherine Cooke.

Three questions were received; the questions and responses were included in the supplementary agenda papers for the meeting. For questions 1 and 3 the questioners did not attend. The Chairman took question 2 first because the questioner – Mrs Katherine Cooke – was in attendance.

Question 2

Mrs Cooke described the near-miss involving her son that had occurred at the pedestrian crossing. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager agreed to provide available accident data covering Claygate Lane, although there was nothing specific to the crossing in question. Information will also be provided on the latest ‘Road Safety Outside Schools’ assessment and the process behind how this is prepared.

Mrs Clarke drew attention to the fact that although the crossing is used by local pupils it is also an important one for residents in general, so any improvements would have a wide benefit.

The Chairman thanked Mrs Clarke for raising this important issue.

Question 1

Cllr Sugden, the local Divisional member, explained that road safety and speeds on Claygate Lane have been a concern for a while and he acknowledged the work that has been done previously to address this, including the installation of speed bumps, refuge islands, a 7.5 ton environmental weight limit (which has exemptions for deliveries and school buses) and a school crossing patrol. More recently, the footway has been widened, and a new zebra crossing and an uncontrolled crossing point have been installed.

Concerns still remain about vehicle speeds and drivers ignoring the weight limit. Given the other measures that had been introduced it was felt that a reduction of the speed limit to 20mph could be introduced just by installing signs; Cllr Sugden indicated that he would hope the parking surplus could be used to pay for the necessary speed surveys (which would hopefully also give information about HGV use along the road), and he would use his highways allocation to cover any installation costs.

He would discuss this with the officer outside this meeting.

Other members agreed with this approach. Cllr Darby asked for the request for the introduction of a 20mph limit in Long Ditton to be considered at the same time as the Claygate Lane one if they can both be implemented using just signs.

There was also a call for the local schools to promote good cycling behaviour among the pupils. The borough contact for cycling promotion and training is David Sharpington.

Question 3

The cost of constructing a roundabout at the Hampton Court Way/Summer Road junction would no doubt be considerable and a scheme on this scale would need very careful consideration. The response to an earlier petition that requested the same scheme had not made any commitment to it.

The local Divisional member explained that he had visited the Tiffin site near the junction last year and understood that the schools has a masterplan for the site which would move the entrance from Summer Rd, potentially addressing some of the residents’ issues.

The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that at present the scheme had not been prioritised for a feasibility study.