To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail 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.
Minutes:
Three petitions were received.
Details of the petitions are attached in Annex A to these minutes.
1. Stewart Wright – Request for Residents’ Parking in Dorchester Rd., Weybridge
Stewart Wright, the lead petitioner, spoke in support of the petition, explaining that it had been supported by 93% of the road. Since permit parking had been introduced in Elmgrove Road the situation had worsened and shoppers, local workers and visitors all park in Dorchester Rd.
He added that once Morrisons opens, the situation is going to be aggravated even further as Dorchester Road is the closest road to the store without any parking restrictions so staff and any overspill of customers will use it. Residents’ parking needs to be provided to ensure that the residents of Dorchester Road do not have to walk miles to their front doors and so ensuring democracy and fairness for them.
The Divisional Member, Christian Mahne, and the Ward Councillor, Cllr Andrew Davis, were asked to comment. Both expressed support for the petition with Christian Mahne proposing the road is considered by the Parking Task Group and Cllr Davis suggesting that a comprehensive review of the area is required.
A formal response will be provided at the following meeting on 8th December 2014.
2. Leona Farquharon – Request for 20 mph in Esher Road
Leona Farquharon spoke in support of the petition explaining that 58 people had signed the online petition requesting
· action to be taken to slow the traffic down between the 2 bridges
· action to be taken to make the road safer to cross at the designated points.
In addition the petitioners were requesting improvements to warning signage and a reduction in speed limit with the introduction of speed bumps.
She explained that it is difficult to cross the road safely and particularly for disabled people and those with children it is dangerous.
Quoting DVLA guidelines on stopping distances she explained that a car, once the driver has had sight of the pedestrian, travelling from the brow of the hill at Esher Rd bridge at 30 mph would not be able to stop in time,.
In support of the request she added that the last 4 incidents have been due to drivers speeding or not paying attention.
To finish Leona reiterated her two main requests and in addition asked for a speed evaluation to take place before October, to be considered as part of the petition.
Stuart Selleck, Divisional Member for Esher and East Molesey and Cllr Steve Bax, Ward Member for Molesey East, both expressed support for the petition, saying that ways of making the road safe to cross needed to be looked into.
A formal response will be provided at the following meeting on 8th December 2014.
3. Mike O’Sullivan (The Wey Road & Round Oak Residents’ Association) (WRRRRA) Request for the Local Committee to recommend that Elmbridge BC adds its consent to an application to stop-up Wey Rd and Round Oak Rd.
Pauline O’Sullivan spoke on behalf of the petitioners explaining that the roads do want to remain an integral part of the North Weybridge community with continued access for pedestrians and cyclists.
She continued that the houses are well cared for, but the roads are not with the surface of Wey Road and its footpaths considered dangerous. The residents are willing to take on the significant responsibility of upgrading and maintaining all communal areas.
Pauline described how since 2011 on the advice of SCC and Elmbridge Councillors, the WRRRRA has spent thousands of hours and £5,000 of residents’ funds to carry out detailed research, to ensure privatisation was sensible and financially viable. The residents were provided with comprehensive information on the implications through a variety of means before voting. 83% voted in favour and the stopping-up request was lodged. SCC undertook a wider consultation and with 81% still having no objection gave approval but then Elmbridge BC did not agree.
She continued to explain that the petitioners believe they have been a victim of the lack of any relevant policy and assessment criteria within Elmbridge BC and they are very disappointed by the approach and decision of Elmbridge BC and asked the Committee to recommend that Elmbridge (BC) rethinks its decision.
The Chairman then invited all present to be involved in an informal session to learn and understand about the Stopping-up process. Members, officers and the public all contributed to the discussion.
The meeting returned to ‘formal’ status and the Chairman asked the Members of the Local Committee to vote on whether to request Elmbridge BC to reconsider its decision on the Stopping-up of Wey Road and Round Oak Rd, Weybridge. The Local Committee voted 3 in favour of the request and 11 against.
Cllr John O’Reilly requested that it be noted that he protested at not being allowed to speak.
The Chairman, Margaret Hicks, also requested that the SCC Stopping-Up policy be reviewed.