In response to Councillor Hudson’s letter (Doing their best to thwart schools’ 20mph zone, January 9), we would like to clarify some points.
In September 2014, the Liberal Democrat councillors in Surbiton voted to implement a 20mph limit in all roads in central Surbiton (St Marks ward).
This would have been implemented by now, had Alexandra ward Councillor Hudson not referred it to full council.
His reasoning was given in the Surrey Comet at the time – basically that 20mph was “bonkers” (Councillors at war over town centre’s 20mph vision, September 5 2014).
After this two-month delay, he got his Conservative colleagues to overrule the Surbiton councillors’ majority and put in 20mph only up to 100m from school entrances.
This led to a dog’s dinner of 20mph limits, for example Surbiton Hill Road would start at 20mph, go into 30mph for less than 100m then back into 20mph.
Coun Hudson states: “Officers worked up a scheme to the letter of the resolution and in doing so it became clear that it would be sensible and more cost effective to iron out some wrinkles.”
Far from it “becoming clear” it was obvious from the start to anyone who knows the schools and roads that this would be the case.
Clearly Coun Hudson does not know the area well.
Coun Hudson also states that he endorsed the changes, but we are yet to see anything from him that demonstrates this.
He has not included the ward councillors or chair of the neighbourhood with any communication he may have had with council officers.
Given his previous statement in a council press release dated November 5, 2014 that “the neighbourhood committee has been authorised to implement my proposal”, it would not be prudent to agree to changes without his express agreement, which he will have the opportunity to give at the neighbourhood meeting on January 21.
20mph limits in central Surbiton will be discussed again by Surbiton councillors at this meeting at Dysart school, starting at 7.30pm.
We very much welcome residents to hear and contribute directly to the debate.
As Surbiton Liberal Democrats we remain committed to 20mph throughout our residential roads, not only outside school entrances as the Tories at full council from New Malden, Hook and north Kingston forced on our area.
COUN MALCOLM SELF
Chairman Surbiton neighbourhood committee
COUNCILLORS LIZ GREEN, DIANE WHITE and YOGAN YOGANATHAN
Liberal Democrats St Mark’s ward
- Send your letters to: letters@surreycomet.co.uk
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