The current closures of Wych Hill and Wych Hill Lane have once more highlighted the need for a review, and for implementation of traffic calming measures such as a 20MPH speed limit and speed humps along the entire length of Wych Hill Rise and Blackbridge Road. Despite frequent requests by local residents for action, there has been no change or progress.
Signs indicating that the road was for residents’ access only were vandalised, removed and stolen, requests for intervention by local politicians or police have not produced any tangible results.

For many years, residents have raised concerns about the use of these roads, notably:

- vehicles exceeding the speed limit in both directions on Blackbridge Road, despite the blind bend at the railway bridge which also has no pavement, forcing pedestrians into the path of traffic and forcing vehicles to meet almost head-on.

- vehicles using Wych Hill Rise in the wrong direction, despite No Entry and One Way signs, despite a blind bend where WHR becomes Orchard Mains. This stretch of road, which has neither street lighting nor pavements, along with Blackbridge Road itself, both form a key pedestrian route to schools on Egley Road, and are used by children and families on a daily basis.

-vehicles speeding on the lower section of Blackbridge Road, causing danger to vehicles and pedestrians exiting the car park in front of the shops.

Yet, in other parts of Woking, two-lane roads with adequate pavements and street lighting have benefitted from both a 20MPH speed restriction and speed humps.

The Hook Heath Neighbourhood Plan highlights as one of its Key Issues “The prevention of Speeding Traffic”. It further sets out, as one of its Key Objectives in the Local Infrastructure section: “ Reduce the number of incidents of speeding traffic…improve pedestrian safety and limit the amount of through traffic”

With reference to Wych Hill Rise, and by implication the upper part of Blackbridge Road, the Plan states : “The one way system on Wych Hill Rise does help to curtail through traffic , but nonetheless over 30 cars an hour, more at peak times, and some at inappropriate speed, use Wych Hill Rise as a short cut. This road is a one way single track lane, unsuitable for this use” It further acknowledges the road as one of a number in Hook Heath where “speeding is endemic”. These estimates are woefully low when related to traffic choosing to use the road as a shortcut during roadworks. Nor do they take any account of drivers ignoring the one way signs, or of larger commercial vehicles.

We are requesting urgent action by our elected representatives to force Surrey CC to act and put in place measures to make these roads safer for residents, pedestrians and responsible drivers.

We request the following to work together with residents across political party lines to implement measures without further delay, and before any serious accident occurs.

cllrpav.pandher@woking.gov.uk

cllrguy.cosnahan@woking.gov.uk

cllrleslie.rice@woking.gov.uk

a.azad@surreycc.gov.uk

will.forster.mp@parliament.uk