News & Views
At the Parish Council 15.01.25
A scheme of works for Compton Village was presented (subject to amendment)
The scheme will be presented at Compton Village Hall
Monday 3rd February 2024 4.00 pm-8.00 pm
Wednesday 5th February 11.00 am-3.00 pm
How the proposal relates to the feedback from the online event of 2024 can be seen in the table. In addition to the welcome proposals, some were not requested and some were opposed.
Several questions remain unanswered concerning an unwillingness to consider average-speed cameras as an option
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Mechanical traffic calming measures were considered inappropriate in nearby villages where average speed cameras were later deployed. Compton has been unsuitable for traffic calming for 40 years but is now deemed suitable (hence being offered speed ramps and chicanes rather than average speed cameras). What has changed?
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Speed data and accident data are selected rather than used in their entirety. Compton has had as many accidents as Bramley and far more than Witley and Chiddingfold (all have average-speed cameras).
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They are cheaper and more effective than the traffic calming elements offered within the scheme & the community widely supports this option
Traffic volume, speed, and noise are widely viewed as the single most negative aspect of an otherwise attractive village.
A chicane would create an obstruction, and priority would be given in one direction. With a car every 2.5 - 3 secs. This would lead to tailbacks on the B3000, making it even more difficult to enter the road from side roads and houses (that front the Street & New Pond Road). An alternative style is to create some narrowing so that the traffic can pass but only just, so that it HAS to pass slowly. There are limitations, however, as to how narrow the street can be because of emergency vehicles and large lorries that use the route.
Raised tables are not commonly used on busy routes close to properties because they cause vibrations and increased noise.
Is there any traffic modelling data to estimate the impact the scheme might have on speed, accidents, and traffic rerouting, especially for lorries? Where will the re-routed traffic go, the A3 or Priorsfield Road maybe?
Various traffic types driving over a speed table - sound on
It was not possible to find a road that replicates the B3000 with all of the following:
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High-volume traffic
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High percentage of heavy vehicles
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Emergency vehicle and HGV route
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Close to property
However, this road in Reigate ticks some of the boxes, although it doesn't have houses nearby.
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Modern cars slow down slightly and cope with the ramp
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Older vehicles, vans, and lorries are noisy and some rattle for some time
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Deceleration and acceleration noise is particularly noticeable for lorries, so noise increases before and after using the table.
Map created from information made available at the Parish Council meeting on 15th January
Locations are not exact & details are subject to change. To be used as a rough guide only
Detailed plans should be made available on 3rd and 5th February at the Village Hall
6th December Meeting
6th December - the long-awaited meeting between the Traffic Committee, GBC representatives and the police took place. Jeremy Hunt attended to better understand the situation.
The NOTES from the meeting are HERE.
Conclusion
2 proposals would be presented to include an Average Speed Camera option alongside the original scheme.
14.06.24
Jeremy Hunt So what would make life better for people in Compton?
Matt Furniss We’ve secured a £400,000 investment from Surrey County Council, to really, just join the village back together. Primarily, as you can see the traffic has always been a main concern. We are looking at whether we can get to 20 MPH, some traffic calming in as well, but really just to join the village up again and that’s what we’ve had our first engagement session with the residents on and we’re going to come back with some revised proposals based on what they want to see, which includes more planting, flowers as well as some safety improvement.
Jeremy Hunt And is the issue speeding on the road, is it dangerous driving? What’s the sort of the main cause of the issues we’ve had?
Matt Furniss So with the incidents that we’ve had it’s more about dangerous driving that’s been the issue. That’s why we’re looking at the traffic calming rather than average speed cameras. We can’t do average speed cameras in a 20 mile an hour area so if we want to slow people down, have a nicer feel in the village, traffic calming, and some other engineering measures are the way forward.
Transcript of interview between Jeremy Hunt MP and Cllr. Matt Furniss (SCC) outside the village phone box
You can respond by:
Emailing Jeremy Hunt (Conservative candidate) HERE
Email Matt Furniss (SCC Cabinet member) HERE
Email Paul Follows, (Liberal Democrat candidate) HERE
Leaving a message on Instagram or Facebook;
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C63qJAfMAMq/
https://www.facebook.com/reel/470509245323386
Two residents who have already written letters have given permission for their letters to be published (minus personal details).
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The village does not need ‘joining back together’
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20 MPH could add to the dangerous driving problem because people get frustrated (even at 30) and overtake within the confines of the village. It is also unenforceable.
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Speed bumps cannot be positioned anywhere where they would be effective because of poor sight lines/ proximity to houses (especially listed ones).
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People drive short distances because walking / cycling is too dangerous.
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People have difficulty leaving their drives and are very nervous walking on the pavement or crossing the road due to excessive speeding and the high accident rate. People worry about elderly residents/ relatives and children crossing. One man had his parked car (in a layby) shunted 30m by a speeding vehicle.
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Data (speed/ volume and accident), produced over many years confirms the issue.
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How meaningful is the entire process, workshop/ feedback/long drawn-out consultation if the decisions have already been reached?
Feedback on social media from the interview
5th June 2024
Jeremy Hunt pledged to support residents by getting speed cameras in Compton - You can ask Jeremy about this at the Q&A session he is holding for Compton residents on Friday 14th between 7-8pm at the Village Hall
Having spoken to Jill Eyles and many others I will do all I can to support Compton residents in getting speed cameras for the village. We’ve got terrible issues here with dangerous driving/ speeding locally and I will push for action for safety in Compton as I have in many other villages.
https://www.cameras4compton.com #comptonsurrey #comptonsurreyengland🇬🇧
Following the 3rd fatal accident in 4 years on the B3000, which took place ten days ago, villagers plead with Surrey County Council to include average speed cameras as part of the village improvement project where £400k has already been set aside.
The majority of residents support the request, the funding is available, Jeremy Hunt has publicly supported the campaign, but in true 'Little Britain' style, 'THE COMPUTER SAYS NO'!
Surrey County Council continues to refute claims that Compton has a speed problem. This is based on an 85th percentile study, carried out in January when there was freezing fog and ice on the roads where the majority of cars were still speeding but not by enough (in one section of the village) to meet the criteria for average speed cameras. The other end did meet the speed camera criteria, but still, the computer says NO. We hope to gain a better understanding of how the information is interpreted and a wider range of data so that the situation can be properly reviewed.
The conclusions are completely at odds with residents own perceptions, with independent data and the number of accidents with personal injury, serious injury and fatality.
Since requesting a more sympathetic ear, there have been at least 2 more accidents that we are aware of, one fatal. How much longer will this go on and how many more people will be injured in the meantime?
For one village just south of Guildford, June 8 was a stark reminder. A fatal car crash just reinforced to those who live in Compton how dangerous their roads can be. The village has been fighting for speed cameras for years, and residents say that motorists will continue to die if they are not provided.
The fight for speed cameras in one Surrey village where residents say 'I don't want anyone to die'
At the recent Q&A session in Compton, the Liberal Democrat candidate, Paul Follows said he thought Compton has as good a case as Witley for average speed cameras and, if elected, he would be happy to help organise a meeting with us and the Surrey Highways team to find a solution.
Paul also stressed the importance of understanding the data, an area we are working hard on.
The main causes of accidents are;
Speeding, lack of concentration, poor judgement, tiredness, driving whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having a medical incident or bad weather conditions.
The impact will be less severe if speeds are lower and if a pedestrian or cyclist is involved, reducing your speed can make the difference between life and death.
Residents in Compton want average speed cameras to reduce the number of fatalities and serious accidents and to help residents feel safer.
Congratulations Jeremy Hunt on becoming the Member of Parliament for the new constituency, Godalming & Ash
The Compton Traffic Working Party looks forward to working with you