Tragedy on Red Road

Friday 15th October

Sad news this week as it was confirmed that another tragic loss of life occurred on Red Road. This time a pedestrian was knocked down and who later died of his injuries.

One of the reasons I came into local politics was to do with this road. I continually lobbied the County about the hazards and like to think that the warning signs are due in part to those efforts.

The point is that the road itself does present year round hazards. It is an arterial route which means it is busy, with all sorts of traffic, from articulated lorries through to bicycles. It undulates considerably along its length. It has sharp and twisty corners. It has three busy junctions and a number of houses which enter onto it. It borders a natural common and hence has pedestrians crossing it. I'm not a highways engineer but it seems to be the 'perfect storm' in terms of standing conditions, even before driver error, climatic conditions or excessive speed are added.

But don't take my word for it. The facts speak for themselves. I moved to this part of the world in 2002, and since I have lived here - several houses away from the Mac Road/Red Road junction since you ask - there have been six fatalities. During the summer in particular, we often hear the screeching of tyres as another accident occurs and I have several times assisted my neighbour in repairing fences that people have driven through.

You may recall that last year, the Surrey CC Local Area Committee voted for a speed limit reduction so that drivers would be made aware in no uncertain terms of the hazardous conditions that await them here. Regrettably policy vetoed our decision and the exhorbitant cost of so doing now prevents us from putting it in place: did you know for example that the regulations required to put a new limit in place would cost up to £250,000!

Its a dangerous road, perhaps the most dangerous in Surrey and my contention continues to be to have something done about it.