To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and 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.
Petitions received:
a) Safe crossing outside Horsell C of E Junior School
b) Resurfacing of Grobars Avenue
Minutes:
Petition A: Safe Crossing Outside Horsell C of E Junior School
Cllr Barker declared a non pecuniary interest in this item.
In accordance with Standing Order 68, Mrs Michelle Morton presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. A hard copy petition received 424 signatures, together with an e petition of 136 signatures.
Residents are asking for road safety measures outside Horsell C of E Junior School. They requested that Surrey County Council install a pedestrian crossing or employ a lollipop person outside the school, to enable the pupils of the school and their parents and carers, to cross the road outside of the school safely. Meadway Drive is an exceptionally busy route with cars, vans and buses travelling in both directions, including parents making their way to and from Woking High School by car, making crossing the road to the school extremely difficult and dangerous.
Mrs Morton introduced the petition and showed the committee some photographs. Although this site is classified as low risk by the County Council, petitioners feel this site is an accident waiting to happen. She explained that in order to cross the road at peak time in the morning, residents need to step out between queuing traffic. There is less congestion at pick up times, but vehicles travel much faster. Additional issues include poor visibility due to parked cars, keep clear markings not being adhered to and a bend on Meadway Drive which affects visibility. Often it is only possible to cross, when waved out by a driver. Residents need to be far enough forward to check the road is clear, but not far enough forward to be hit if it isn’t.
The Chairman invited Duncan Knox, Road Safety Manager, to comment. He confirmed that he had visited the site between 8 and 9am on 27 February 2014. He noted that the existing crossing point is not used by the majority of people which makes Keep Clear Markings redundant and that there are also issues with a parking layby in close proximity. Officers have agreed to use this location as a pilot for the Road Safety Outside Schools Policy assuming its adoption by Cabinet in May. A site visit and report would be completed and brought back to the next local committee, by the Sustainability Community Engagement Team.
Members noted that, if implemented, the new policy will be more flexible and allow schools to employ a school crossing patrol person even if it is a low risk site. They hoped that the policy change would enable this to happen. However, Surrey County Council would not be able to fund this from mainstream funding. The Chairman said that an initial contribution from Members Allocations Funding for the first year would be looked into. It was also suggested that the Horsell Junior School PTA might be able to provide some funding. The road safety policy update will be discussed later in item 11 of this meeting.
Members also commented that other solutions might include a different road surface and advisory signs which could be used to help slow traffic.
Petition B: Resurfacing of Grobars Avenue.
In accordance with Standing Order 68, Mr Paul Whiteman presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. A hard copy petition containing 44 signatures, together with photographs of the street, pavements and side road, was submitted for consideration.
Residents are asking for the following:-
1. A complete resurface of Grobars Avenue including the pavements as these are also in a bad state of repair.
2. The slip road from the roundabout at the end of Grobars Avenue to the garages which are located behind 20 Grobars Avenue
Mr Whiteman introduced the petition and said that the condition of the road surface has been deteriorating over the past few years. It has now become so bad that it has become a real issue for road users, bikes and children. As a result of the poor and uneven road conditions, petitioners believe it is only a matter of time before damage is sustained to a vehicle or a person is injured due to the road surface. Were the road to be resurfaced, residents believe that it will also help to improve the appearance of the area and reduce the likelihood of unwanted vandalism occuring. Mr Whiteman asked why Grobars Avenue was not done at the same time as nearby Hammond Road.
The Chairman invited Andrew Milne, North West Area Highways Manager, to respond. He explained that the condition of Grobars Avenue has been assessed following the receipt of the petition. The carriageway is constructed of concrete and has been treated with a thin asphalt surface in the past. Although the asphalt surface has deteriorated and looks untidy, the road is in a generally sound condition and no safety defects have been noted. As it is not subject to through traffic, further deterioration of the surface is likely to be minimal and resurfacing work would not be recommended at this time.
Grobars Avenue is inspected on an annual basis, and so the condition of the carriageway and footpaths will be reviewed in a year’s time. Funding for resurfacing would be considered depending upon condition in relation to other roads within the borough. If residents are concerned about any specific safety related defects in the meantime, it is recommended that these are raised with Surrey Highways through the reporting system on the website. The Woking Local Committee nominate local priorities on an annual basis and it was suggested that residents follow this up with the local county councillor, Colin Kemp.