Worplesdon County Councillor Urges Action at Road Death Spot

Published on: 22 Aug, 2012
Updated on: 23 Aug, 2012

Worplesdon county councillor Keith Witham.

The county councillor for the area that includes Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane is pressing Surrey County Council’s Guildford Area Committee for action following an accident in Aldershot Road in July in which a female motorcyclist died.

In a written question to the Guildford Local Committee, being held on September 12, county councillor Keith Witam (Con, Worplesdon) is asking for assurances that that the county council’s highways department will bring a full report to the committee for discussion.

Items that Mr Witham wants included in the discussion include:

The history of road traffic accidents at the location, including the details of deaths and serious injuries over the past 25 years.
What previous attention Surrey County Council Highways has given to this location, and any actions taken, or consideration given but not implemented.
The impact on the dangers faced, as this location is used by children and parents going to and from Worplesdon Primary School.
The speed of traffic, and any other contributory factors.
What measures can be considered to now try to do the best to ensure that no further fatalities occur at this spot, including consideration of funding and “Section 106” planning gain funds via Guildford Borough Council for road safety / traffic improvement measures.

A sign near the crash site appealing for witnesses to the accident.

The fatal accident took place near the junction of Aldershot Road and Gravetts Lane at about 8.25am on July 11. It involved a blue Mercedes A Class people carrier and a red Triumph motorcycle. The motorcyclist was Joanna McDonald who was in her 50s and lived in Park Barn. She was was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash.

A number of children who were walking with parents along Aldershot Road to Worplesdon Primary School in Fairlands witnessed the crash. Previously, parents have supported a campaign for an official school crossing to be sited on that section of Aldershot Road.