Feltham Hill Road, Ashford – Junction Table

Objection 1 – Increased Air Pollution and Noise Pollution

The installation of an additional road table would not have a significant impact on noise, including from buses. However, it has been designed in accordance with all relevant legislation and technical guidance. The proposal will lead to a general reduction in vehicle speeds and improve safety close to the school.

The effects of transport choice on air pollution are complex. The provision of a raised table, with four informal crossings should make walking more attractive and result in more children and families walking, cycling and push scooting, thus helping reduce pollution and congestion, benefiting the whole community.

Objection 2 – Does not believe accident statistics justify this scheme

The provision of the crossing is not only about promoting safety but also will promote sustainable travel such as walking, as a realistic alternative to the use of the private car.

Objection 3 – The Zig Zag lines will prevent resident from parking outside their home

There are no plans to include zig Zag lines or parking restrictions as part of this scheme.

Objection 4 – Incorrect Information supplied

It is acknowledged that the incorrect documents were uploaded on to the website on the first day of the consultation. We apologise for this error. The correct documents were uploaded by 4.30pm the same day the consultation went live on the Surrey County Council website.

Objection 5 – There is no problem to solve at this location; Measures not required or necessary

For several years, both residents and parents from Echelford Primary School have raised safety concerns about crossing Feltham Hill Road. Children and families walking to the school cross the road as part of their school journey. The provision of a raised table, with four informal crossings should make walking more attractive and result in more children and families walking, cycling and push scooting, thus helping reduce pollution and congestion, benefiting the whole community. The raised table will also reduce vehicle speeds. The improved accessibility will also benefit pedestrians accessing the nearby Bus Stops.

Objection 7 – Would prefer funds are used to improve the roads and pavements in Ashford. Installing tables prevents total resurfacing of the road, which the most common reason for potholes

In response to a backlog of highway improvement schemes at schools across Surrey in 2022, the County Council allocated £3 million over 3 years to deliver schemes to support walking, push scooting and cycling, reduce road casualties, tackle speeding, and make the journey to school easier and safer. Echelford Primary School is one of 33 school road safety schemes chosen to be delivered during the three -year programme.

This new budget is specifically for infrastructure improvements outside schools, and it is not currently possible to use it to maintain the existing road network.

Countywide road resurfacing works are funded from a different, and much larger, budget than the funding available for highway improvement schemes near schools. These works are prioritised using a number of criteria including:

• Risk to the public – calculated using data such as number of insurance claims and number of small repairs carried out.

• Condition of road – this includes an engineer’s assessment.

• Road priority – greater priority is given to roads with greatest usage or need. Road class (A,B C and D), speed limits and daily traffic levels are factors which are considered.

The above criteria ensures that the available funding for maintenance is used on roads and pavements that are in greatest need of treatment in a fair and consistent manner across the county.

When roads with vertical traffic measures such as road tables are completely resurfaced, the roads tables are taken out before hand, the road resurfaced and the tables then reconstructed. The road will continue to receive Highway Safety Inspections and any safety defects will be repaired in line with our policy.

Objection 8 – Road table will increase the flooding issues at this junction; What steps have been taken to rectify the drainage problems

An assessment of the drainage system has been undertaken as part of the design of this scheme. A site inspection was undertaken with one of the drainage engineers. The advice from that engineer informed the design process.

Additional gullies will be installed, with one new gully at the base of each of the four ramps. This will enable surface water to be drain off the road and into the existing drainage system.

Once the table has been constructed, the drainage around the table will be monitored, and additional works carried out if required.

Objection 9 – Prefer 20mph Limit with Speed Camera

Speed surveys were carried out on this section of Feltham Hill Road, in 2023, the results of the surveys do not comply with our policy for a 20mph speed limit without a number of additional engineering measures being installed. The policy can be found at the following page on our website: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-safety/safer-vehicle-speeds/setting-local-speed-limits-policy

When investigating schemes to improve road safety, we would always prioritise engineering measures such as traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds so that the speed limit is self-enforcing.

Enforcement cameras have to be agreed with the Police before installation and require ongoing police resources to process offences. It is preferred that we implement engineering measures to manage speed and improve road safety in the first instance, and to use enforcement cameras as a last resort.

Objection 10 – Cause more traffic backing onto the main junction of School Road and Covent Road and fails to reduce the volume of traffic

The construction of a raised table is designed to reduce vehicle speeds. However, drivers on Feltham Hill Road will not have to stop at the table, and it is not anticipated that there will be an increase in congestion as a result of these works.

This proposal is a road safety scheme focusing on improving pedestrian accessibility and reducing traffic speeds. The purpose of this scheme is not to reduce vehicle numbers using Feltham Hill Road. However, some people may choose to walk rather than use their vehicle as it will be easier to cross the road.

Objection 11 – Proposal is not adequate

It is recognised that a formal pedestrian crossing (i.e. Pelican Crossing) would be preferred by some residents and parents of pupils at the school. However, this proposal was not prioritised over other requests for both technical and affordability reasons.

Objection 12 – It is safe to cross Feltham Hill Road

We have received considerable complaints from residents, parents, and the school, over the lack of pedestrian crossings at this location on Feltham Hill Road.

The provision of a raised table, with four informal crossings should make walking more attractive and result in more children and families walking, cycling and push scooting, thus helping reduce pollution and congestion, benefiting the whole community.

Objection 13 – Too many road tables already on Feltham Hill Road and will cause damage to my car

The road tables are designed to be driven over at appropriate speeds. If drivers travel at those appropriate speeds, then there is no risk of damage to the vehicle from using the road table.