Residents' Association Forum

Can't believe the HUGE difference that the NO PARKING combined with  the 3-way TRAFFIC LIGHTS has made to the quality of life for residents of Station Road. 

A massive drop in traffic driving through Thames Ditton, a huge drop in noise from vehicles and the restoration of a sense of PEACE along Station Road and into the village centre.

Thames Ditton has returned to the peaceful village that we moved into all those years ago.

This state of PEACE has got to be maintained after the roadworks have been finished.  If you haven't been down Station Road since the introduction of the traffic lights, please go down it now.  Just see what a huge change there is in the "atmosphere" of Station Road (a huge change for the better).

I think that might change when they start laying the gas pipes!

Laying the gas pipes is just a temporary disruption and not related to the aura of peace that the present situation of lower traffic and no parking has restored to Station Road.

The three way traffic lights has also had another POSITIVE affect on the nature of Thames Ditton.

It has also helped the passage of cars/vans around the sticky area of the Manor House and Dentist.  The traffic lights mean that cars proceed down Station Road in little groups.  So after one group (at max 6 cars) has driven past the cars parked outside of the Manor House, there is a lengthy period of time for any cars coming in the opposite direction (from Watts Road direction) who have halted to allow them right of way, to proceed past the Manor House unimpeded and carry on towards the traffic lights and railway station.  Then the cycle begins again. 

The traffic lights have created a "man-made" traffic flow - one which has magically solved all the problems that have been plaguing Station Road since commuter parking suddenly began. 

So PEACE down Station Road, lower traffic count, residents of the Manor House can still park outside on the road, no driver stress and anger by the Manor House.  THIS HAS GOT TO BE GOOD FOR RESIDENTS OF STATION ROAD AND OTHER  THAMES DITTON RESIDENTS GOING TO AND FROM THEIR HOUSES.  ALL GOOD.

you like the new traffic lights then? ;)

Astute observation Craigmax  ;D

A better question is How to get new lights installed now properly?

I also thought traffic lights were the best solution for both pedestrian and road-users, obviously it's against the law to drive through them so they are a much stronger deterrent than bumps will ever be.

I think we would need bumps AND traffic lights Blue Sky.

Traffic lights deter traffic, or so it seems, but speed humps  make the traffic that does drive through Thames Ditton travel at the required 20 mph.

MG - I'm in support of you, but really think you need to seize the day and get surrey cc down and have a look.

With traffic new traffic lights, I think we will probably loose a few bumps, one or two at most. Road calming is not a slot answer its a combination of things, traffic lights creates a much safer environment too.

I agree Blue Sky - but  I have not got a clue about what other residents down Station Road think of the current situation.

A previous Station Road resident, who posts on this Forum, was very anti banning parking on the road - NOT because they were in favour of commuter parking, but because they felt that parked cars slowed traffic down.  I do agree with this resident, that parked cars do slow traffic down, but I feel that there is a better solution than relying on what is, without doubt, a very bad situation.   

Unless a "professional questionnaire" is distributed to Station Road residents (and any other nearby road that might also want to change their present situation) then the opinion of the residents is not known.  It doesn't seem as if many residents of Station Road actually read this Forum - so I can't even guess at what they are thinking.

I would really LOVE to know what Station Road residents think of how the traffic has been this week, with the traffic lights and no parking.

Is not a questionnaire you need, it's just a simple execise one evening to knock on doors to say

- do you like the road with or without cars on?  Take notes if you wish

You will get a good feel if there is support or not.  I personally don't think you will get many objections, it's surely in the residents interest to have a peaceful and quieter environment. I think you can then do an online petition from the supporters to show to the council.

I actually don't agree Blue Sky.  I think the most objective way of getting an idea of how the residents of Station Road feel about the current improvement in traffic is for a questionnaire to be distributed by a "neutral" source. 

Two reasons for this.  Firstly, being face to face with a neighbour or fellow resident of Station Road might could make someone give an opinion about the situation that might not be totally honest ie they might not want to offend the neighbour asking their opinions.  They might answer "to please" so to speak. 

Also, a questionnaire coming from an independent source can not stir up ill feelings between neighbours, which might happen if one neighbour takes up the "cause".  I have seen this happen where I lived previously and it did not make for a harmonious neighbourhood.

An independent body sending out a questionnaire can't be "insulted" or "hurt" by the responses.  This generates more honest replies!!!

Fair enough, I was conscious about the time loss of organising a prof. questionnaire but know the results will be better.

I wish you all the best. Parking outside Manor House is a pain also so they will need yellow lines aswell


One last though how about a mini roundabout at the George And Dragon there is still conflict.

I think it would be prudent to just focus on  traffic lights coupled with no parking on Station Road.

These are simple , low cost,  steps, that can be realistically implemented.

Station Road used to really enhance the environment of the village - then all of a sudden it became a blot on the village.  It  is wonderful to see it back as a  road that adds to Thames Ditton, instead of detracting from it.

I hope we can find a way to  keep the traffic lights and no parking in order to make Thames Ditton a better place for all Thames Ditton residents.

And who will organise/ pay /execute this professional questionnaire?

You've mentioned the RA and the RA have in my view responded saying: prove there is enough interest/support and we can revisit this.

I should mention these posts are very station road centric - there are actually 4 roads equidistant to the station... not just station road so any consultation/suggestions would have to AT LEAST take into account these roads if not more because of potential knock on effect...

The RA have also said that not very long ago a consultation was carried out, suggestions made and even the least intrusive of these was voted against...

Now you're saying - well I _think_ opinions may have changed... What canvass neighbours to find out? No thats not my job. No I will not even ask my neighbours to see if thats the case.
Yes the only other person who posts on this forum who lives on station road disagrees but I still think opinions have changed... and no I will not do anything to prove it.

If my post sounds harsh - I apologise but thats the way the situation reads to me...

I ask this as a relatively neutral in all these discussions as I actually for one agree it would be good to introduce some measures around the station but I DO NOT know what is a good idea/or not... i.e. to me its not as simplistic as cones/lights/etc hence I cannot offer any good suggestions. Its hard to think of the whole picture as well.

Yes - I actually agree with you that opinions may have changed and the development on hampton court is worth considering-> but I don't think people will be on a whim be willing to go down the rather time consuming route of another consultation unless they know this to be the case.

(RA representatives please correct me if I am wrong)


We can discuss this on this forum until we are blue in the face but the simple fact remains if any resolution is to occur the answer is not posting but actual DOING... if you are willing to do this - then grand.

Multiple people have suggested simple canvassing of neighbours which you seem reluctant to do?

Canvassing neighbours does not even have to go down the route of what they want to do... you could even canvass to ask for support in suggesting a consultation/questionnaire is carried out?

I also have to disagree completely that it has to be done professionally, etc - with tools like survey monkey etc it would be easy to knock up a questionnaire and distribute this by paper/internet. If you want to avoid bias keep the questions simple and allow scope for comment.


Finally on your last post - I have to disagree that traffic lights + no parking on station road is any of the following:
"simple , low cost,  steps, that can be realistically implemented"


Low cost? have you seen how much it costs the surrey county council just to repair pothole?

Simple/ realistically implemented?

Ask someone say who lives on speer road/weston green road/embercourt road-> that you're proposing no parking on summer road but keepign the situation AS IS for their roads ... therefore a greater squeeze on parking there... and in fact by the way, as a result, quite likely when summer road residents have visitors they will now park on speer road/weston green road and ember court.

If they are happy with that I'll eat my hat.  It does not sound realistic nor simple to me...

Well said, juninho.

I agree the posts in the Topic entitled Station Road are very Station Road centric!!

Its a pity Juninho and Evergreen did not take the trouble to read my posts properly before writing a reply, because I have, indeed, considered all the other roads surrounding Station Road and the train station.  Quote ...

"Unless a "professional questionnaire" is distributed to Station Road residents (and any other nearby road that might also want to change their present situation) ..." 

I would hate anyone to think that I didn't consider all the local roads.  So I strongly correct Juninho's post on this point.

I can't explain AGAIN, the confusion of wording and meaning that was contained within the last  "yellow lines" questionnaire  received by the residents of Station Road.  If you want to fully understand the problem please refer to previous posts in other Topics, which point out the problems with that questionnaire.

I hold firm to my belief that an independent, "neutral", face to a questionnaire is a preferable route to take.  Also, the assumption must not be made that I am capable of "doing".

I think that the examples shown in this Forum Topic eg  mistakes in reading the text or difficulty encountered in the comprehension of the posts ( both of which could be due entirely to my lack of writing ability) just emphasise the need to have a questionnaire compiled professionally.  A professional would ensure that the questionnaire was written so that it was easy to read and could be easily comprehended.  (Something which I have obviously not done when writing these Station Road posts - or so it seems)

Lack of money is an obstacle that can't be overcome - this I understand.

The real point I was trying to make in my rather wordy post - is that my understanding is that if you get support the RA would perhaps be willing to look at this again.

I do not think you will get this support on this by solely posting on this forum. But what do I know.

Yes I missed your quote amongst the many postings but you cannot refute that multiple times you have come up with what you think is an 'ideal / realistic / simple' solution : "no parking on Station Road".

This was not the point I was trying to make (that you forgot the other roads), rather than there is nothing that simple a solution. But lets agree not dwell on that. If I have misinterpreted anything you said- then I apologise.

I sense you want to move forward with this issue, if I am wrong and you just want to complain (which is perfectly acceptable - internet forums are great for rants) then I am barking up the wrong tree.

If you do want to move forward -> all I am trying to convey is that I think your best route is to canvass...

Anyway - I have said what I want to say, to me its the best option available to you but its your prerogative what you choose to do.

I apologise if in any of my posts I have misinterpreted anything you have said and I will not post any further on this topic.

It's now worth, taking this to next step MG.

I am in support but don't even live on station road, but that doesn't  matter - I know you are just being nice to your neighbours but unless you door knock or do an online petition.

I would ignore Juninho post, I can sense your intent to do something here.  Send me a pm if you like advice

Apology accepted Juninho and please feel free to post anywhere you want to.  It is an open forum after all.

MG - what is your next step going to be?

BlueSky I think the best thing to do would be to wait until the traffic lights and cones are taken away and  see how noticeable the difference that they make is. 

If the road becomes an ugly mess again then I won't be the only to notice.  If nobody else brings up the (what I think is blatantly obvious) difference in the road and also the appearance of a major part of the village, then I will just assume that I have been looking at the situation through glasses that need cleaning!!!

A suggestion why don't you do a handycam film then it will evidence and no you certainly not the only who supports these ideas.

The council will need evidence of driving behaviour along with support.

P.S. no you don't need an optician