town councillors, traders and residents were invited by county councillor Nikki Barton to meet Surrey highways officers in Wey Hill to discuss the siting of a new zebra crossing to improve road safety on the busy B2131.

Four years ago, more than 500 supporters signed a petition launched by Amanda Baker, from Wey Hill business Alan Baker Flooring, calling for a crossing to be installed, because she “felt so strongly a terrible accident was waiting to happen”.

Surrey County Council has now agreed to install a zebra crossing outside Shahanaz Indian restaurant but Haslemere Town Council has requested it is relocated, because shops would lose two valuable parking spaces.

The town council told its county counterpart it would prefer the crossing to be close to Majestic Wine Warehouse, where there are plans for a major residential development from No. 5-21 Wey Hill – and where there is no suitable crossing for people to walk to the station.

Haslemere Chamber of Commerce president David Goddin described the scheme as “good news for Wey Hill traders, their customers and local residents”.

Mr Goddin said: “Haslemere Chamber has not taken a formal stance on the Wey Hill crossing proposal, but in principle it supports initiatives to benefit the town, especially the business community.

“An upgraded and safer crossing near St Christopher’s Green could encourage greater use of the shops and other businesses on both sides of the road, so it is potentially good news for Wey Hill traders, their customers and local residents.

“Wey Hill is a major traffic artery as well as an important commercial area.

“As with some of our other main roads, today’s traffic volumes and vehicle sizes were never envisaged by the original designers.

“As a result, engineering interventions are needed to ensure safety for all users.

“The new Wey Hill crossing could help to calm traffic in off-peak periods, but it might also add to transit times when traffic is heavy.

“There is an argument for siting the crossing closer to the station.

“In my view, this would have little commercial benefit, and those who currently cross the road at the top of the hill will continue to do so.

“If a second crossing is considered when the proposed 55-unit residential development goes ahead, its merits would need to offset any further interruption of traffic flows.”

Town councillors had the opportunity to press for the scheme to be relocated at the meeting.

They were told it might be possible to create a crossing at their preferred location in addition to the site already agreed.

Mrs Barton said: “I have always championed the pedestrian crossing, with improving safety a key priority.

“This zebra crossing was agreed as a priority by the Haslemere and Western Villages Task Group, on which Haslemere Town Council is represented.

“Surrey Highways engineers have carried out a full safety audit of the proposed crossing, and I have taken their professional advice in supporting this scheme.

“Having this zebra crossing does not mean the town can’t have one closer to Haslemere station.

“Highways officers have agreed when the site next to Majestic Wine is developed, a contribution will be required from the developer for a highways scheme to provide a safer pedestrian crossing for both residents and commuters.”

Responding, a Haslemere Town Council spokesman said: “The council was pleased councillor Barton called a meeting to discuss the issue of the county council installing a crossing at the top of Wey Hill between Paulo and Shahanaz.

“It gave the opportunity for views to be exchanged, and it was good to see representatives from the chamber of trade as well as Wey Hill traders present to give their opinions.

“The council’s stated view is it has a preference for a crossing further along Wey Hill near the Cook shop, and this has not changed.

“However councillor Barton, supported by county council officers, did state that the two crossings were not mutually exclusive.

“She assured councillors that if a development of No. 5-21 Weyhill does take place, another crossing at the council’s preferred location would be considered, and indeed pushed for by Surrey County Council.

“Haslemere Town Council looks forward to being consulted as to the location of a third Wey Hill crossing if such is proposed at some future date,” the spokesman added.