A PETITION has gone to Surrey County Council, calling for action over the dangerous environment created by HGVs using the Upper Hale Road. The petition bearing 130 signatures was handed in at a meeting of the county council's Waverley local committee by resident John McCann. He told the committee how the road is used as a rat run by goods vehicles that should be remaining on the M3 and A331 Blackwater Valley Route, including up to 36 feet long multiwheel trailers. A survey by the police counted more than 3,000 HGVs over a 10-day period. Mr McCann said this was having a huge effect on residents' quality of life, making houses vibrate from as early as 5am. "Where the road has been dug up over the last year for the gas main, the road has been insufficiently repaired and that is causing additional vibration and thumping. "It appears no-one is prepared to take responsibility for repair of that road." Where vehicles passed each other they were mounting pavements and crossing white lines. "It's actually quite a dangerous environment for people." Among measures called for was a weight restriction and clearer signage for using the Blackwater Valley Route. Failing that, barriers could be put in place to protect people. "We believe a 20mph speed limit would help in reduction of unwanted and unnecessary traffic on that road," said the petitioner, also suggesting automatic flashing signs to reinforce the speed message. The issues will be considered by county highways officers and a reply given at the next local commmittee meeting.
