As previously reported Surbiton Councillors had agreed to introduce 20mph in roads around the centre, but this was called into full council by Conservative Alexandra ward councillor, Richard Hudson. View full details here.

His reasoning was that he didn’t think 20mph was necessary apart from immediately outside schools. He was reported in the Surrey Comet as saying 20mph in these roads was ‘bonkers’

However, at full Council meeting he did not say this, he said the consultation response was not good enough, so moved a motion that 20mph was only implemented outside schools in the area (including pre-schools) and the remainder sent back out to consultation at some undefined time in the future.

Unsurprisingly this was supported by all the Tory Councillors, even though all but 5 of the Tory Councillors don’t even represent Surbiton wards! 

Council officers have drawn up plans for implementing 20mph just outside school entrances and it is a total mess! For example Surbiton Hill Road would be 20mph at both ends (for Hollyfiled School and Surbiton High School) with about 150m of 30mph in the middle! And going into the cul-de-sac Ardmay Gardens from Avenue Elmers, you’d leave 20mph to go into 30mph!

Implementing only outside school entrances will cost more, add to street clutter, confuse drivers and not make Surbiton safer. None of which was considered by Kingston’s conservative Councillors when making this decision at Council earlier this month.

We’re still collecting signatures calling for all of central Surbiton to be 20mph – www.kingstonlibdems.org.UK/20mph – please sign and share.