MEASURES to improve safety and crack down on speeding on the High Lane estate are in the pipeline - but the controversial closure of Pine View Close is looking unlikely.

Haslemere Transportation Task Group has met to discuss the traffic problems on the estate and have agreed to recommend that a package of measures be given the go ahead.

All of the close's residents joined together and asked that their road be closed at one end to transform it into a cul-de-sac. It comes after they complained of speeding and traffic problems caused by residents accessing the rest of the estate through the close.

However, this attracted fierce opposition from the rest of the estate and resulted in the county council taking the decision to defer the request until it had come up with a plan for the entire estate.

The task group discussed options last Thursday and have decided to recommend that Pine View Close is not closed.

However the group has decided to recommend that other measures are put in place - the first of which is that interactive speed signs are used to collect speed and volume information. The flashing signs will also highlight to motorists the speed in which they are travelling, which will have the effect of slowing them down.

"The task group got behind the reasons why residents in Pine View Close wanted their road closed," said task group chairman Christine Stevens.

Mrs Stevens told The Herald the group has agreed to recommend the county council work with St Bartholomew's School, parents and local residents on a safe routes to school scheme which will as improving road safety in the area.

"The task group understands speeding vehicles cause genuine fear - especially when there are collision accidents and injuries to pets.

"We feel the road closure would not solve the bigger issue - which requires a change in behaviour. Our ideas are designed to be affordable now and will help more people own and solve the problem."

Before its meeting the task group also received a letter from High Lane residents. It reacted angrily to the rest of the estate's residents being classed as rat runners, with Pine View Close residents arguing that rat running was making their lives a misery.

Signed by the neighbourhood watch co- ordinator Joanna Minor and resident Andrew Minor the letter says the definition of rat running is when "a small road is use by a lot of drivers who are trying to avoid larger roads".

The recommendations of the task group are due to be discussed by Surrey County Council's local committee for Waverley in October.