QUIET LANES & DECLUTTERING WORKING GROUP
Wednesday 6th April 2016
The Arbuthnot Hall, Shamley Green
Attending Meeting:Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills AONB Director
Pennie King, Administrator
Hazel Watson, Surrey County Councillor for Mole Valley
Peter Hitchings, Surrey County Council
Caroline Tuttle, Surrey County Council
Ros Dorée, Abinger Hammer PC
John Brockwell, Albury PC
Steve Scott, Albury PC
Mike Turner, Ewhurst and Ellens Green PC
Bill Birkett, Shalford PC
Candace Brooke, Shere PC
Rod Weale, Wonersh PC
Action1. / Apologies
Apologies were received from Liz Cutter, who passed on her best regards to the group. Apologies were also received fromBahram Assadi; Colin Davis; Richard Frost; Anita Guy;
Roy Hogben; Rod Shaw;Stephanie Sokolowski.
2. / PH reported that he is putting together a package of proposals to be assessed by SCC, as the Highway Authority, to determine.
3. / Review of Signs
3.1 / Abinger Parish Council (Ros Dorée)
3.1.1 / RD informed the group that she and Richard Frost had undertaken an audit of the signs in the village of Abinger Hammer. Each sign has been identified on a map. These include many signs which are leaning or falling down. Abinger parish itself is 11 miles long and would take considerably more time and effort.
3.1.2 / Hazel Watson and Ros Doree had met with Peter Shimadry, SCC Highways, regarding the traffic problems in Abinger Hammer but unfortunately there was no money available. HW stressed that there have been accidents involving pedestrians. RF suggested a pinch point by the Farm Shop might help the situation. There had been an article on the front page of the Dorking Advertiser concerning a pedestrian fatality (not in Abinger Hammer) where the Coroner had argued that there should be a pedestrian crossing. It was confirmed that Coroners can make statutory recommendations, although these do not have to be carried out. PH had been speaking to Bahram Assadi and informed the group that there is some money from the Gomshall Tannery development which could be used to a provide a consistent approach along the A25 through Gomshall, Abinger Hammer, etc.
3.1.3 / On the B2126 many lines have disappeared. It is a very dangerous road on the way down from Forest Green. The white lining needs to be refreshed as it currently says “OW rather than “SLOW”! Action: B2126 very neglected: signage; potholes; white lining.
3.2 / Albury Parish Council (John Brockwell)
3.2.1 / JB confirmed that an audit has been undertaken on all 55 signs within the Parish. Approximately 20 signs have been recommended for removal. If these can be clearly identified on the map, PH confirmed that photographs are not necessary.JB will complete the form and pass to PH. If it is agreed that the signs can be removed the Parish Council would employ their own contractors which would be cheaper than using SCC. PH confirmed that SCC supported this initiative but all contractors would need the right cover to work on Highways.
3.2.2 / JB reported that John Hilder is going to carry out an audit at the Sherbourne/A25 junction which is an accident black spot. However if accidents are not reported to the Police or an ambulance is not called then the accidents are not recorded.
3.3 / Ewhurst and Ellens Green (Mike Turner)
An audit of signs has been carried out and 5 signs in Ewhurst and 1 in Ellens Green have been recommended for removal. It is felt that the sets of gates and count down markers do not help to slow people down and these have also been recommended for removal.
3.4 / Shalford, Peasmarsh and (half of) Chilworth (Bill Birkett)
An audit of signs has been carried out and 23 signs are either empty or need to be removed. Other signs need to be replaced or relocated/repositioned.
3.5 / Shere (Candace Brooke)
An audit of signs had been undertaken. There are 4 villages in the Parish and so far North Ward had been completed. There are 3.5 miles of Clearway signs on the A25 which could possibly be redundant now that the 3 lanes had become 2 lanes. Signs for removal have been marked on a map and photographs taken. CB confirmed that sign audits of SE Ward and SW Ward are currently being completed.
3.6 / Wonersh Parish Council (Rod Weale)
RW confirmed that some decluttering had already been carried out in Wonersh. An audit had been carried out in Shamley Green and Blackheath. 2 or 3 signs had been identified as potentially redundant and amendments are needed to some others. RW would welcome some professional advice as to whether one Give Way sign is superfluous. They are happy to keep the HGV signs but would like to know if they have to be positioned so high up.
3.7 / General Comments
3.7.1 / RF said that when signs have permission by SCC to be taken down, there could be an economy of scale if Parishes were to liaise so that this could potentially be carried out on the same day at a reduced rate.
3.7.2 / Mike Turner informed the group that he had ordered a mobile battery operated sign costing around £4k, which can be moved around the village. This had been carried out through SCC Highways. MT will send information to PK to circulate to the group. / MT
3.7.3 / RF thanked everyone for all the time and effort they had put into their sign audits. PH will collate the information and put it into a schedule. / PH
4. / HGVs
4.1 / If “preferred routes” for HGVs are promoted, it was agreed that SCC will need to find the money to upkeep them, for example maintaining the kerbs. These routes also need to be included in the winter schedule. It was agreed that there needs to be consistency of signage at each end of roads as in some instances an “Unsuitable for HGV” sign is only displayed at one end of the road. It is possible to erect signs stating “Unescorted HGVs prohibited”. CB stated that she does not believe in the principle of preferred routes but that HGVs should be banned from using some roads. CB asked whether it was possible for Parish Councils to recommend roads that are totally unsuitable for HGVs. PH said it would be better to do a larger area, rather than Parish by Parish. CB said that Shere want to ban HGVs from the centre of the village due to the damage they are causing. Steve Scott said there needs to be a stronger approach from SCC. It was agreed that pictorial signs with a picture of an HGV crossed through have more impact than words. RF confirmed that part of the remit of this group is to put in signs if appropriate. An audit should be carried out and there needs to be a consistent approach. HW said that there have to be warning signs for miles before a 6’6” width restriction.
4.2 / PH is reporting back to the Guildford Committee in June and will put forward all the group’s recommendations, including the sign audit and HGV signage. PH agreed to share his draft report with the group at its next meeting on 6 June. / PH
4.3 / All to look where they would like to discourage HGVs and preferred routes, recognising problems such as maintenance issues. BB asked whether PH will have the time to do all this work before the deadline. PH confirmed that he will go out to each Parish to look at the signs identified in the audits and get the signs costed for decluttering, moving or replacing. He will also look at the HGV situation in each Parish. BB said that Parish Councils will go to the Guildford Committee to support PH’s report. / ALL
5. / Any Other Business
5.1 / RW suggested that speed activated crossings could be an answer for the problems in Abinger. If drivers are approaching the crossing too quickly the lights go red. PH agreed to investigate whether these signs are available and legal in the UK. / PH
5.2 / RF informed the group that Waverley now wants to undertake a similar audit so it is important that we deliver something through this group before we roll it out. / ALL
6. / Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 26th May 2016
10:00 – 12:00
Abinger Hammer Village Hall
Felday Road
RH5 6QX
.
Circulation:
Liz CutterChairman, SurreyALC and Surrey Hills AONB Board
Hazel WatsonSurrey County Councillor
Rob FairbanksSurrey Hills AONB Director
Colin DavisColin Davis Associates
Peter Hitchings SCC Transport Strategy
John HilderSCC Highways Manager
Bahram AssadiSCC Highways
Anita GuySCC Highways
Adrian SelbySCC Highways
Caroline TuttleSCC Highways
Jonathan WilkinsonSCC Highways
Alan ByrneEnglish Heritage
Rod ShawMole Valley DC
Tim HarroldCPRE Surrey
Ros DoréeAbinger Hammer Parish Council
Roy HogbenAlbury Parish Council
John BrockwellAlbury Parish Council
Steve ScottAlbury Parish Council
Mike TurnerEwhurst Parish Council
Stephanie SokolowskiSt Martha Parish Council
Patricia AllenSt Martha Parish Council
Bill BirkettShalford Parish Council
Phil CrickmayShamley Green Parish Council
Candace BrookeShere Parish Council
Joy MillettShere Parish Council
Rod WealeWonershParish Council
Pennie KingAdministrator, Surrey Hills AONB Office