COUNTY councillor David Munro has promised to make improvements to Chapel Road in Rowledge his “number one priority” after more than 120 residents signed a petition.

The Safer Roads for Rowledge Action Group (SRRAG) initiated the petition calling on Surrey County Council to urgently review and improve road safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians on Chapel Road and The Avenue in Rowledge.

And addressing the Rowledge Residents Association annual meeting, the group challenged Mr Munro, county councillor for Farnham South, on why it could take up to two years before work can commence.

Although work carried out on two residential roads, Woodcut Road and Broadwell Road earlier this year, has been praised by residents, members of the action group highlighted that the pot-holed route through The Avenue and Chapel Road with ingrowing hedges and overhead branches regularly struck by higher buses, is not due to receive any treatment until 2016 to 2018.

The route through Rowledge is used regularly by double decker buses transporting children and students to numerous schools and colleges throughout the area. Group members commented that these roads are frequently used by senior citizens and children who are “risking injury and more, on the narrow and twisting route”. And that some potholes in Chapel Road on the route to the village hall are up to three inches deep “ideal when filled with rainwater for causing elderly pedestrians on their way to the hall to fall and cause injury”.

Surrey and Waverley local councillor David Munro welcomed the move by residents to get Chapel Road improved, and has added it on the list for attention for next year: “It’s my number one priority for improvement, the more people who can add their weight the better.

“It would be nice if we could do all roads in the area and county immediately but I hope you can appreciate that there simply isn’t the money around at the moment. I’m glad that Woodcut and Broadwell roads were done. Although minor roads in comparison with the main through arteries, they were in a terrible state and needed attention. Just sticking to the ‘big’ roads means that roads off the main thoroughfares will never get done at all.”

Although most effort goes towards the main roads such as Farnham bypass and the A287 Mr Munro believes that its important that no roads are left out completely: “Incidentally, I never challenge roads being put on the road programme, the danger is, not that priorities are shifted around in the area but that somewhere else in the county gets the attention. I never look gift horses in the mouth.”

Residents, frustrated by the lack of action, believe that the potential wait of two years is unacceptable. “The delay until 2018 for a light dressing of tar and chippings over the potholes and uneven surface like Boundstone Road is totally inadequate.”

To sign the petition go to petitions.surreycc.gov.uk/Chapelroad/ or alternatively go to Budgens, Humphries Butchers, Citrus Coffee Shop or Jewels Hairdressers in Rowledge.