Letter: We Need a Different Chair to Decide Transport Issues

Published on: 30 Mar, 2023
Updated on: 30 Mar, 2023

From: Anthony Mallard

In response to: Walnut Tree Close One-way System to Become Permanent

It would appear that all commentators are united in their criticism of the Surrey County Council’s Cabinet member for Transport regarding the decision to make the Walnut Tree Close one-way system permanent.

What chance, therefore, will the revision of the London Road Scheme have in meeting the needs of the road users, residents, cyclists, pedestrians and businesses under his chairmanship?

I understand many of the relevant questions raised at the public meeting in Burpham and in correspondence have, in effect, been batted away. Examples being the narrowing of the carriageway and its potential effects on safety, congestion, emergency vehicle access and pedestrian safety on shared sections.

It is also said that the potential revisions to the scheme do not even meet the “desirable standards” from the Cycle Infrastructure Design Manual.

Surely, the London Road scheme is of such significance and has raised such a high level of opposition that it should be chaired by an unbiased and independent chair.

Responses to Letter: We Need a Different Chair to Decide Transport Issues

Jim Allen Reply

March 30, 2023 at 8:13 pm

The qualities of the chairman are well known.

The Clay Lane link road fiasco and the non-existent slip road alongside my home are just two examples.
Mark Stamp Reply

March 31, 2023 at 2:08 pm

I for one am in support of Cllr Furniss’ attempts to increase nicer routes for walking and cycling. He is the cabinet member for Transport, not for motorists.

For 70 years the default policy of this country has been to build more roads which has just led to more cars. For various reasons, notably reducing air pollution which is having serious impacts on health, we need to reduce personal car usage. This is going to have an impact on people’s lives but we have gone too far in favour of cars and drivers are going to have to be less selfish.

These measures should be accompanied by improvements in public transport to compensate but national policies prevent the council from re-investing profits as happens in London instead of them going to private companies.