Highways and traffic
 |
We are in constant touch with Surrey County Council about the roads and possible improvements. In particular, we have been active in raising recommendations and objections to try to ensure developments at the crossroads (A287) fully address residents' views and concerns. We are also working closely with the Bourne Conservation Group to ensure that as well as road safety, the conservation potential of the crossroads is enhanced. |
Update
Surrey County Council are due to commence work in early November on the road surface outside the Bourne shops, introducing a coloured surface and speed signs. Local shop owners are being consulted and we hope this work shall be carried out speedily and with as little disruption as possible.
We hope the pedestrian crossing at the Fox and flashing speed limit signs will be eventually be forthcoming.We continue to express our dissatisfaction at Surrey County Council's refusal to address the problem of the speed tables.
Overhanging branches and hedges
We are currently conducting a survey of overhanging branches and hedges that obstruct people's passage on the pavements. If you are concerned about hedges, branches or other vegetation encroaching on the roads you can tell Surrey County Council, which has the power to require landowners to cut them back.
Twyford Lane
|
The Residents' Association has also helped to re-instate vehicle access to Twyford Lane, nearly 20 years after it was blocked by a tree. The unmade lane, running between Burnt Hill Road and Ford Lane has been used by vehicular traffic since the mid 1700s. At one time it was part of the ‘Pox Road’, from Farnham down what is now Ford Lane to the ‘Pest House’, where smallpox victims were isolated, on land now called Little Twynax. |
 |
In the gales of 1987 a large tree fell across the middle of the lane, but still permitted vehicular access from either end of the lane to the two properties in the lane. One or both of the residents prevented removal of the tree, thereby blocking the lane to through vehicular traffic.
In January 2003, Surrey County Council advised the Association that Twyford Lane was undefined on the County’s Definitive Map. They had significant historic evidence of its previous use and asked whether we wished to obtain Public User Evidence and apply for some form of Right of Way status.
Following the distribution of User Evidence forms, mainly to nearby residents, the Association obtained adequate evidence of vehicular use of the lane over the required 20-year period and also submitted further historic evidence. Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Officers supported this and submitted an application to the County’s Local Committee in Waverley for ‘Byway Open to All Traffic’ (BOAT) status.
At their first Committee meeting in June 2004, one County Councillor persuaded the Committee to dispute the User Evidence and defer a decision. At the second meeting in October 2004, following further checks by Officers, the same recommendation to the Committee was made. Again the Committee was persuaded by one Councillor to ignore both the User and Historic Evidence, the requirements of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and other Acts and decided upon Bridleway status for Twyford Lane instead. Our letter to the Chair of the Committee suggesting that they should review their decision and duties under the Act was also ignored.
The Association decided to appeal, believing the decision did not comply with requirements of the Law.
The Appeal Hearing in February 2006, before an Inspector appointed by the Department of the Environment, found in favour of the Association. Surrey County Council has now opened up the lane to through traffic and erected ‘Byway’ signs, although the surface is unchanged and still very rough. This is some four years after the start of a very considerable exercise.
Speedwatch
The speedwatch volunteers have been monitoring speed through the village.
