Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee agreed to a compromise on 20mph on Surbiton town centre roads.  Tory Councillors had used their majority on Kingston Council stop a decision for a comprehensive 20mph limit scheme in Surbiton town centre, insisting that it should only be up to 100m from school entrances.

This proved to be unworkable. For example, a 30mph limit stretch of about 150m in the middle of Surbiton Hill Road, sandwiched between 20mph limits or cul-de-sac Ardmay Gardens being 30, whilst Avenue Elmers would be 20mph or North Road being 30mph but St James’ Road and St Andrew’s Road at either end being 20mph!

The compromise allows removes these anomalies, but falls short of a comprehensive 20mph limit.  It has however created others such as Claremont Road being 30mph outside the shops and busy bus stops, changing to 20mph about half way down! Balaclava Road switches back to 30mph shortly before the entrance to the children’s play area of Victoria Park! These changes will be implemented during February half term holiday.

The full Council resolution also asks for a further consultation on the full 20mph limit scheme.  This cannot take place until the Tory administration has finished it’s review of Council consultation processes which will be in March 2015. Details of that consultation are not yet known but will be published here when available.