Agenda item

To answer any written questions from residents or businesses within the area in accordance with Standing Order 69.  Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon, four working days before the meeting.

One question has been received from Mr Paul Chapman as follows:-

Back in August 2013 there was much fanfare and trumpeting that a solution had been found to the problems on Red Road and in particular the dangerous right turn out of MacDonald Road.  This was covered widely in the local press, quote "Mike Goodman, Denis Fuller, Adrian Page and Bill Chapman threw their weight behind placing a roundabout at Lightwater Road" and on social media including interviews with Councillors Goodman and Fuller on the Surrey Heath Residents’ Network where the plans were described as a "significant breaking news for the community".

That was over a year ago, and since then very little has been mentioned about the solution and nothing much seems to have changed at the junction. 

Can the committee please give an update on what progress has been achieved over the past 14 months since this "significant breakthrough.”

Four questions were presented to the Committee:-

Q. Written question from Mr Paul Chapman

Back in August 2013 there was much fanfare and trumpeting that a solution had been found to the problems on Red Road and in particular the dangerous right turn out of MacDonald Road.  This was covered widely in the local press, quote "Mike Goodman, Denis Fuller, Adrian Page and Bill Chapman threw their weight behind placing a roundabout at Lightwater Road" and on social media including interviews with Councillors Goodman and Fuller on the Surrey Heath Residents’ Network where the plans were described as a "significant breaking news for the community".

That was over a year ago, and since then very little has been mentioned about the solution and nothing much seems to have changed at the junction. 

Can the committee please give an update on what progress has been achieved over the past 14 months since this "significant breakthrough.”

A.    Response from Chairman on behalf of the Committee:

A number of safety improvement options have been considered for Red Road, with a roundabout being one of these. However, as a number of measures were introduced in 2013, it was decided to monitor the impact of these prior to implementing any further changes. 

As the monitoring period has now ended, a meeting has been arranged for 8 October to review the accident record of Red Road and determine if further works are required.  The meeting will include local Members, and representatives from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council's Road Safety team.

Members further discussed the measures implemented (which included vehicle activated signage, chevrons and a speed limit reduction) and the fact that accident figures were being closely monitored prior to any further works.  It was noted that this has not been communicated well, but that the accident figures indicated that measures were working.  It was also noted that if the decision were for no immediate further improvements, the road would still be kept under review, especially as changes to Deepcut and DERA would have a potential impact.

Q. Written question from Sarah Taylor, Local Resident

We still have ongoing parking issues in Station Road, Bagshot. This was taken to the council several years ago and was under review last year, but not prioritised at all. I see that it is no-where on the list this year. What needs to happen in order to get this reviewed again? Has it now dropped off the list? I was under the impression that once on the list, it would be looked at each year. There are now staff from several companies that use Station Road to park in whilst at work. This is extremely frustrating and sometimes dangerous. There are some days that cars are parked pretty much all the way from the traffic lights at the A30 junction, back to the chicane, plus further round the road. During the summer I had to go into one of these companies and get their staff to move their car as I couldn’t even park on the road in order to get my poorly dog in the car to take him to the vets. This is just not acceptable. It’s come to a point where we are even considering moving.

We haven’t asked for yellow lines all the way around the road. Just near to the chicane for about 6 metres and then again from the traffic lights up from the A30. Rather than push the problem further up Station Road, there needs to be something similar for weekdays nearer to the station, as I know that people already park along there also.

Please can you advise on the above.

A.    Response from Chairman on behalf of the Committee:

The County Council's Rail Strategy published in 2013 identified three priorities. These were selected because they have the potential to have a major impact in Surrey:

·     Crossrail 2

·     North Downs Line

·     Access to airports

Two further priority options were added following public consultation:

·     Access to stations (car parking)

·     Access to London from Camberley, Bagshot and Frimley

The County Council will therefore continue to work with train operating companies and Network Rail to improve the car parking offer at railway stations.

Station Road was considered but not given priority at the July parking review.  This question has therefore been passed to the parking team so that this locality can again be looked at again under the next parking review.

Members were concerned that the written response given referred to rail traffic, but most of the parking came from local businesses.  Station Road was very narrow, with inconsiderate parking on corners making it dangerous.  It was agreed that further investigations were needed and this would be taken up by Cllr Goodman with the Parking team.

Q.  Two written questions from Murray Rowlands, Local Resident on behalf of Borough Councillor Heather Gerred (Old Dean): 

1. The condition of the shopping area on the Old Dean is a disgrace to both the County and Borough Councils who both have part ownership of the area. There are 36 different owners of parts of curtilage of the shopping and residential area. This is a recipe for no one taking ownership of it and its present condition and is a reflection of its neglect despite efforts to tidy up the area. The shopping area offers an invaluable opportunity for redevelopment as a mixture of retailing, residential and leisure activity. Surrey County Council and Surrey Heath must now assess whether the only solution to create an adequate centre for the Old Dean is to compulsorily purchase housing and shops some of which is in an awful state and offer a site for development as a suitable centre for The Old Dean.

2. Would the County Council consider carrying out a detailed traffic movement survey on the Old Dean? This is necessary because of the growth of Collingwood College and new housing development on the Estate? The existing road movement and traffic calming provisions date back to the mid 1990's and there is an urgent need for a review of their proficiency. Because of extreme congestion around Collingwood College a review might be carried out as to whether traffic lights might work more effectively.

 A.  Response from Chairman on behalf of the Committee:

1.   The Old Dean shopping parade has been looked at in detail by the Old Dean Community Group on the estate.  Extensive improvements have been made, working very much in partnership with the Borough and County Council, which included removal of graffiti, cleaning and pressure washing of the paving area, removal of weeds, installation of planters, benches and rubbish bins in the parade.  They have also worked with local businesses over signage and smartening up of the used premises.  The group continue to look at options for improvements, which have included Christmas lighting, replacement blank hoardings for vacant units, potential planting of trees in the parade and further benches.  The shops do provide vital facilities in an otherwise remote location, and are complex as mentioned, with many different ownership issues. 

We would need to look to the Borough Council's priorities, strategy and plans before giving any consideration to more drastic actions.

The Borough Council’s Planning Policy and Conservation Manager, Jane Ireland, also noted that, depending on where development was proposed, there may be limitations on residential development due to the proximity of the Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area.

2.  There are many areas within Surrey Heath that have been subject to changing traffic patterns and development over the last twenty years.  A traffic movement study could be undertaken, but this would have to be considered in the wider context of the Local Transport Strategy and Borough-wide priorities.  It is essential that studies are focused on clearly defined areas which have proven issues, and so further information from residents about the problems experienced would need to be sought.  

Members referred to the Road Safety studies being undertaken outside both Cordwalles and Pine Ridge Schools.  The Highways Manager stated that the road safety team would only be looking at issues around the school and not the wider area.  He stated that this could be looked at, but would need more information on the issues involved.  It was agreed that Highways would link with questioner outside the meeting.