Road speed could drop to 40mph after crashes

Drivers could see the speed limit reduced from 50mph to 40mph on a key road in Surrey after a series of crashes.

Surrey County Council is proposing to lower the limit on a 1.8km (1.1 mile) stretch of Portsmouth Road, between Claremont Avenue and the A3 bridge, following 13 crashes since 2020.

Fifteen people were injured in those incidents, including two who were seriously hurt.

The rest of the road between Esher, Cobham and Kingston is already 40mph, meaning the change would create a consistent speed limit along the whole route, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Council officers said an analysis of crash patterns and speed survey data showed a lower limit would make the road safer, a view supported by Surrey Police.

Crash locations reported to police can be viewed on CrashMap, which maps incidents reported to officers.

One of the main issues highlighted was speeding near the access road to Claremont Fan Court School, where drivers currently travel at 50mph before reaching the school entrance.

Consultation documents said a consistent 40mph limit would give motorists more time to slow down before reaching that area.

The scheme is expected to cost under £20,000, with funds coming from the council's central Road Safety budget.

Asked why speed cameras were not being installed instead, Surrey County Council said permanent cameras were only considered where there was a long-term speeding problem that could not be fixed in other ways, and where traffic calming measures were practical.

Some new signs will be added, but officials said they would only install what was necessary, and signs would go on existing posts where possible.

Any new posts will be positioned so they do not obstruct pedestrians or other road users.

Comments can be submitted on the council website until 16 March.

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