SCC Plans Permanent Removal of Layby Outside Ash School

Published on: 14 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 16 Feb, 2025

The layby outside Ash Grange School

By David Reading

Road works planned for Ash over the next 18 months will include the permanent removal of the layby outside Ash Grange School – a move that will affect parents who use it daily as a school drop-off point.

Surrey County Council says the overall aim of the works in Ash Street and Ash Church Road will be to improve pedestrian safety and make life easier for bus passengers. New bus shelters will be provided with real time journey information.

Detailing the plans a council spokesperson said: “Surrey County Council will be delivering a programme of proposed improvement works for five bus stops on the A323 Ash Street and Ash Church Road between the Jet petrol station and St Peter’s Church.

“The work aims to improve accessibility for passengers, make safety improvements for children and pedestrians, provide new bus shelters with real-time journey information, and enhance green space around some of the bus stops.

“We’ve been working with Ash Grange School to improve safety for pupils. This includes removing the layby so we can widen a footpath, alongside repairs to paths and grass verges, and improved accessibility for bus users.

“The bus stop improvements will be delivered in stages during the next 18 months to minimise disruption. Construction dates will be subject to co-ordination with other highway works.”

Cllr Fiona White

Cllr Fiona White, a Lib Dem borough councillor for Ash Wharf, expressed dismay at the plans to remove the layby.

She said: “I am concerned at the impact the closure of the bus layby will have on this busy road, especially at school drop-off and pick-up times and when there are large funerals at St Peter’s Church.

“I am pleased that the changes will not take place until the autumn. I hope the delay will provide an opportunity for discussions with Surrey County Council Highways and a chance to reconsider the decision.”

Ash Parish Council will have the matter on its agenda at its monthly meeting on Monday, March 10. The council has a residents’ questions slot as part of the meeting and the council hopes interested members of the public will attend.

While the road works are taking place, SCC plans to put a temporary “no parking” order along that part of Ash Church Road near the school.

Vehicles will not be allowed to park, load, or unload at any time on both sides of Ash Church Road, from the property line of No. 75 to the property line of No. 88.

SCC says the temporary order will be in effect 24 hours a day but will only apply when the relevant traffic signs are up.

Disabled drivers with a blue badge will not be exempt from this temporary no-parking rule.

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