Proposed changes to Horley's roads

There have been some proposed changes to Horley High Street and roads north of the town centre, which will affect how you travel around Horley.

Albert Road, Lumley Road, Yattendon Road, Oakwood Road and St Hilda Close were proposed to become 20 mph zones.

Albert Road south of the junction of Consort Way and High Street from the pedestrian precinct to Lumley Road was proposed to become one way so you can only travel south and eastbound.

Surrey County Council hosted a consultation on the changes. And for full transparency, here is my response and my views on the proposal.

While I am in principle supporting of improving the high street and making Albert Road and the high street one way, I believe the plan is flawed in a number of ways.

1) The 20 mph zones throughout the town will increase pollution and make driving for the residents who live there worse.

2) There is no consideration for where the displaced town centre parking will go. I fear that people trying to avoid the town centre car parks will park on Albert Road, Massetts Road and Lumley Road.

3) The provision of a contraflow cycle lane will increase the risk to road safety for cyclists themselves and pedestrians. As we've seen in London, the provision of cycle lanes in pedestrian areas has increased risks to the partially sighted and those with mobility needs. I am not against cycling provision, but I am against it on the high street as it will cause havoc.

What can you do to win mine and other residents' support?

1) Stop the 20 mph zone being rolled out. It's an absurd proposal and doesn't work elsewhere in Surrey, so why introduce it to Horley?

2) Have a plan in place for either parking provision or better public transport access to the town. Perhaps increasing bus frequency from Langshott or Westvale Park? That would help alleviate the parking concerns.

3) Don't have the cycle lane flow down Horley High Street. Instead run it down Consort Way East. There is more space for a cycle lane and it is less dangerous to both pedestrians and cyclists themselves.

There are lots of good points:

The tree planting is a positive step that will improve the vibrancy of the town centre.

The focusing of traffic heading one way reduces risks to pedestrians and drivers alike.

But until these concerns are addressed, I fear the plan is not going to succeed.