SURREY county councillor Pat Frost has reassured residents living near the perilous Weydon Lane bridge that vital traffic control works will occur in the near future. The narrow bridge does not feature a pavement for pedestrians, despite frequent use by HGVs and the close proximity of two schools and a nursery school. As a consequence, parents of young children are forced to traverse the bridge, navigating pushchairs across the busy highway. "Railtrack owns the bridge, and they have inspected the bridge and declared that no weight restriction limit is required," said Mrs Frost. "However, I can confirm that there is a footpath and traffic lights programmed to be installed in March," she continued. "I will be pressing to see that we start in March, because myself and my fellow councillors are very concerned about safety, and have been for some time," she added. Meanwhile, local resident June Garrard, who lives in nearby Bardsley Drive, is not convinced. "I've heard it all before," she said disparagingly. "Last November, I was nearly driven off the road by a lorry on the bridge, and we were told that work was going to go ahead last March. There was even a sign to say as much, but that disappeared and needless to say, the work has not materialised. "I've asked many people about it and everyone agrees about how dangerous it is. My next door neighbour said she has nearly been hit by several lorries. Frankly, I find it alarming," she added. "It needs traffic lights on the bridge and a pavement on one side, especially if pedestrians have children and pushchairs. They take their lives into their own hands every time they use it. It is an accident waiting to happen," she declared. "The situation is worse when you come from Bardsley Drive toward the bridge. There's a great big hedge jutting out. "It is dangerous enough coming from the bypass as you cannot see pedestrians or traffic, but coming our direction it is absolutely lethal." Mrs Garrard has been in touch with local MP Jeremy Hunt, who has promised to do his utmost to resolve the situation. "I have taken up Mrs Garrard's concerns about the dangers of Weydon bridge. I have written to Surrey County Council, asking what can be done to improve the situation as it is vital something is done to make this a safer place for drivers and pedestrians alike," he said.
