New 20mph Speed Limits Proposed for Merrow’s Residential Roads

Published on: 13 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 14 Jan, 2026

20mph signs could be appearing on several Merrow roads. LDR

By Emily Dalton

local democracy reporter

Drivers in parts of Merrow could soon be told to slow down to 20mph under new plans from Surrey County Council. Residents have just weeks to have their say on the residential roads.

The council is proposing a new 20mph speed limit on Bushy Hill Drive and dozens of surrounding residential roads. Locals have until February 8 to give feedback before any final decision is made.

Bushy Hill Drive in Merrow – one of the roads that could be affected. Google Street View

The scheme is aimed at making neighbourhood streets safer, especially for children walking to and from school, as well as elderly and disabled residents.

Council bosses say lower speeds mean:

Fewer crashes because drivers have more time to react
Less serious injuries as collisions at 20mph are far less deadly than at 30mph
Safer streets for vulnerable people including children and older residents

Speed surveys show most drivers are already travelling fairly slowly, so no speed bumps or major traffic calming are planned. Instead, some areas may get “light-touch” measures like electronic speed signs or painted 20mph markings on the road where speeds are highest.

The project is expected to cost around £30,000, covering design, consultation, legal work and installation. The council says this money comes from a separate 20mph budget and cannot be used for potholes or road repairs.

There will be some extra signs, but the council says it will keep them to a minimum. Where possible, they will use existing lampposts and sign poles to avoid cluttering pavements.

The council says the scheme is designed to be “self-enforcing”, meaning most drivers should naturally stick to the limit. Police will not be expected to carry out extra patrols and no physical traffic calming is planned.

Surrey council officers state it does not need a history of crashes to justify the change because slower speeds reduce risk in the first place.

The proposals cover Bushy Hill Drive and more than 80 nearby roads. Residents can view the full list on the council’s website. Some of the roads mentioned include:

Ashbury Crescent
Boxgrove Lane
Curlew Gardens
Duncan Drive
Kingfisher Drive
Merrow Street
Old Merrow Street
Sheeplands Avenue
Woodlands Park
Wykeham Road

People are being urged to look at the plans and speed data before filling in the council’s online feedback form. Officials say public comments could lead to changes and if the scheme goes ahead, there will be another formal consultation stage. The deadline to respond is February 8.

Responses to New 20mph Speed Limits Proposed for Merrow’s Residential Roads

Anthony Mallard Reply

January 13, 2026 at 3:29 pm

Whilst it is irrefutable that a 20mph speed limit may reduce accidents and may also reduce the seriousness of injuries if accidents take place, who will enforce that change in the speed limits?

There are insufficient police to deal with assaults, burglaries and anti-social behaviour. Where does this reality detached county council think additional resources will come from? Will they open another box of police officers perhaps.
Jan Messinger Reply

January 13, 2026 at 4:46 pm

I wonder how many serious accidents have happened on these roads with vehicles travelling at over 20mph? I remember witnessing a motorbike rider falling off in Kingfisher Drive probably nearly 30 years ago. Pleased to say he was ok. These days, with volume of cars in these areas, are people even able to drive above 20mph?

There seems to be money available at Surrey County Council for consultations, new signage and humps to slow vehicles down. Sadly there does not seem to be money to fix the holes in any of the roads.

Soon with all the lowered 20mph speed limits everyone’s home deliveries will take longer to be delivered and I am sure will cost more because of it. They simply won’t be able to travel as many miles in the time if most of their routes are at least 10mph less.

No one wants road deaths or injuries (according to the radio program I listened to their are four deaths a day on all of the UK
roads). However I suspect most are on motorways. Most sensible drivers would adjust their speed near schools or built up areas and drive slower.
Bethan Moore Reply

January 16, 2026 at 7:30 am

After several near misses due to others rushing and so not looking properly, I’m not keen to wait for someone to die, or for kids to make a mistake in their way to school.

So yes to the 20mph zones proposed. I think it will make these areas much more pleasant to live in.

Do I wish they’d be better enforced or extended to main roads? Yes. But that’s no reason not to do it.
Kevin Rye Reply

January 16, 2026 at 11:40 am

Speaking as a cyclist and non driver, people do drive over 20mph on roads they shouldn’t.

Most drivers are very sensible, timid even, sometimes to a fault (notable since the rules on driving near cyclists changed a couple of years ago) but there are enough who accelerate and drive dangerously very close to me.

Personally, I’d have speed cameras as well, but I’m aware that isn’t a view shared by everyone.