Transport Panel launches strategy and presents petition
Last year, following the highly successful Weybridge Town Forum, we considered the Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC) draft Core Strategy and made representations on the document’s shortcomings. We concluded there was an inadequate understanding of our concerns, inadequate vision for our town, insufficient objectives and plans and an inadequate process for ensuring that infrastructure is improved. Our roads, footpaths, buses and station are already inadequate; further population growth must be matched with infrastructure improvements.
The latest Core Strategy ‘Proposed Submission’ is now subject to consultation until the 22nd February. This latest document reflects some of our comments but is still woefully short of what is needed in our town. As a consequence we will be making further representation as encouraged in the consultation process – we urge all members to comment to EBC.
Only comments made now will be considered by the Planning Inspector when the Core Strategy is reviewed. Our representation will be published on the Society website - www.weybridgesociety.org.uk - as it was last time.
The Transport Panel consider that the key elements of a strategy for Weybridge must include the following requirements: -
- Speeding – a sensible plan to reduce speeds on residential roads to a safe and acceptable level; ensure existing speed limits are complied with.
- Improve Road Design - to encompass safety improvements e.g. safe zones for pedestrians and cyclists; (including safe routes to schools, controlled crossings, improved footpaths and provision of cycle routes and facilities).
- Improved Parking - appropriate parking schemes and provisions.
- Road Maintenance - improved conditions of roads, pavements and surface drains.
- HGV - a scheme to reduce the volume of large HGV through traffic; this would improve safety and congestion.
- Weybridge Station – implement improvements at the Station and the surrounding area; with better sightlines, improved Bus and Taxi stands, improved cycle access, improved security, increased capacity and safe crossings.
- Improved Bus Links - particularly between Brooklands/Station and the town centre, including an improved services in the evenings and weekends.
In the past 2 years the Weybridge Society Transport Panel have:
- engaged with elected representatives (Elmbridge, Surrey and Westminster) on behalf of members
- continued to monitor and challenge HGV companies (such as Tesco and TNT) that flaunt and ignore residents wishes
- reported major road condition problems including St George’s Avenue and Sir Richards Bridge
- engaged with Mercedes Benz World to encourage a neighbourly site traffic plan, pressed for improved footpaths and a reduction in HGV traffic on Wellington Way
- supported the Surrey County Council (SCC)/Surrey Police Drive Smart campaign – in particular Speed Watch
- campaigned against and challenged a major utility company to rethink their Seven Hills Road closure schedule; persuaded authorities to exert their powers and influences – the result was a more sensible and 50% shorter closure.
- submitted comments and alternative suggestions for The Thames Flood Strategy where Desborough Cut work would affect the Weybridge Towpath
- have made representation on key planning applications with transport and highways implications
- responded to the SCC consultation on Buses
The Transport Panel will present the Society’s ‘Weybridge Roads Petition’ to our councils SCC/EBC at the Local Committee - 4pm on 1st March at Christ Prince of Peace Church, Portmore Park Road, Weybridge.
Please come along and support us.
25th Jan 2010
