Residents' Association Forum

The road surface under (Thames Ditton) station railway bridge is fragmenting in several places, and with some old potholes are re-opening (no surprise!).      

Have reported via SCC website - hope this is sufficient to initiate a timely (and permanent?) repair soon.

It would probably be more cost-effective to repair the potholes properly, so the repair is permanent ??

You mean under the bridge by TD station (which is poor) , or one of the other bridges in these wards?

I noticed "the badger" by the Crown is back.

Yes, under TD station bridge (have clarified earlier post).

Potholes at TD station appear to have been filled in yesterday.  That's a pretty good service really, if it's only a couple of days since you reported the problem.

I've reported a large pothole outside my house on Watts Road at the junction of Giggs Hill Road.  Let's see how long they take to sort that one out (before lorries going past shake my foundations to bits!)

Pothole outside my house reported on Monday, temporarily fixed on Tuesday (filled in with tarmac), with a promise that they'll do a more permanent repair within 28 days.

Again - great service!  Credit where credit is due!  The pothole reporting section on the SCC website really seems to work well!

thats really very good indeed.

Excellent.  Perhaps things really are looking up.

Further signs that new Surrey Leader Hodge is more intelligent and responsive than his predecessors.  Following the welcome U-turn on pay and display, and the partial U-turn on the  Library cuts (both issues resulted in long, agonised efforts by sensible residents to get these party policies reversed or diluted), he is now being more honest than his predecessors in commenting on the county's efforts to sort out potholes etc.

Cllr Hodge admitted to the Surrey Mirror that new contractor May Gurney had fallen short of the target set when the company was appointed to replace former contractor Carillion.  Read more about what he had to say in today's Surrey Today (http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Surrey-County-Council-leader-admits-failing-28/story-14123812-detail/story.html)

This contrasts positively with the days of the Carillion contract when Surrey's PR machine churned out endless guff on how wonderful things were, even when anyone with eyes could see they weren't.

See the Useless Contractors (http://residents-association.com/forum/index.php?topic=451.msg3861#msg3861) thread also.

Thought I'd get the ball rolling with those gifted artisans responsible for the deplorable state of our roads, under Thames Ditton rail bridge,  particular large hole appearing again South side of Round about. SCC notified.

The potholes are caused by the humps.

It be cheaper to get rid of the humps and put speed signs up. The council have done well with the yellow lines but they sould of gone all the way down the station to the high street.

Although a lolipop man is friendly, a zebra crossing or lights would stagger drivers.

This was looked at - see http://residents-association.com/news/school_crossing.php  for why not, and why lollipop is better.  (The web page dates to Sept 2007 but I kept it because I knew the arguments would come round again!)

negatives for zebra crossing/lights:
- not enough space on sidewalk for regs at current crossing point.  Zebra wd have to be relocated quite a way away from the station entrance - people wouldn't divert to it
- lights wd cause longer delays to through traffic than required for people to actually cross- rush hour problems exacerbated
- lights wd be prey to nippers pressing the button when not necessary

lollipop person adds to discipline for very young children crossing, adapts to real circumstances

I'm all in favour of the lollipop man! Andrew does a great job. 

Is that vacancy still open then? For a lollipop 'person'?

Must pay at least minimum wage I would asssume (if not more as I guess the hours are quite short)?

Would it not suit someone studying for say a PhD who can schedule their time around being there for the morning school run?

No vacancy there - Andrew James is doing a fine job; but we'll put you down as a candidate if a lollipop vacancy arises when the banks collapse.

Apologies - did not realise it was taken!

Darn back to the drawing board!!!!

Is it time to start commenting on potholes? There are some rather large ones around!

Yes, always!  Read *this* (http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-maintenance-and-cleaning/reporting-a-problem/reporting-defects-and-potholes-on-the-road#3), get the required measurements and report to Surrey *here* (http://highways.surreycc.gov.uk/highways/report-a-defect).

Also post details in this forum to let Peter Hickman and Andrew Roberts know - and other residents, so they don't waste time duplicating your report.  It's important that residents report details of individual potholes - Peter then keeps an eye on progress; if potholes accumulate unfixed, then Andrew does a roundup letter to SCC.

http://www.elmbridgetoday.co.uk/News/Council_extra_cash_for_road_repairs_0000004138.aspx (http://Surrey County Council will receive an extra £4.2 million to spend on road repairs over the next two years). Let's hope they spend it wisely.

Station Road seems to be crumbling along its middle.  We are getting a lot of lose tar stones thrown up onto the pavements by cars.  Wouldn't like a pedestrian to get hurt by a flying stone or two.

I also drove in to one with a bit of a crunch, yesterday - no damage fortunately

The bumps and snow are new getting their teeth in, there are a numerous design vaults along station road. We don't just need a repair and to go back to the same as before, it's a dnagerous corner not helped by the cars parked there. Can I sign a petition to get them removed?

I think the people who live on Station Road (I being one of them) remember how fast cars went without the speed humps.  It is better with them.  We did have a resident's child killed and something needed to be done.  Average speed check - no humps - yellow lines  and then I would be happy.  I can't see any of that happening because road repair will take all funds available.

As the humps do not seem to be effective in reducing speed, are deteriorating fairly rapidly, are expensive to maintain, and cause expensive damage to the suspension of residents' cars, it would be better to remove and replace them with flashing speed signs (as in other areas of Elmbridge) or other deterrents ?) 

If the funds were there to install the bumps, surely some finance should available, a few years down the line, to remove them ? 
Especially as they are becoming so labour intensive and costly to maintain, and prone to potholing.

Yes it's a very dangerous corner, I didn't know a child was killed there - I'm sorry to hear this.

I personally don't want to drive fast, but I just want it to be slightly more enjoyable and smoother!

Some paint is not expensive for some lines.  I agree with being cost conscious.


As pointed out earlier, if the road was flat than the council will have less repairs, I would say its the last two bumps which are not required because there is railings and wall outside the manor house and drivers are coming to a sharp so they will be slowing down anyhow.  

Is Thames Ditton twinned with a French town? Because some signs entering the village would help, with wording like "please drive through village carefully - Warning 30mph Speed Checks" .   Station Road by roundabout / high street side would alert people. St.Leonards Road, half up by River Road could also be another spot for a sign.

I hope my understanding is correct, but this RA is about improving the well-being of place and will with some efforts continue to make significant changes.

Sorry Z Cars I didn't mean to mislead you.  The poor child was killed on Summer Road but it was the catalyst for the village to do something tangible to stop speeding cars.  The speed bumps do work but only because you get people driving in cars like mine which, if I went over a bump at speed, would explode I think.  Therefore my slow speed slows everyone else up.  If you go slowly, without speed humps, people just get angry and overtake dangerously (even in a 20 mph zone).  

Road works, random traffic light placement, burst pipes etc all slow down traffic.  Maybe that is the solution - constant roadworks.  

there was a police speed trap on Portsmouth road yesterday, would be interested to see what average speeds they were seeing.

I was speaking to a Councillor friend from Richmond last week who says they are adopting a policy of doing away with speed humps and introducing road width reduction, chicane and street furniture to make motorists slow down - finally somebody has realised how much damage humps do to cars. 
Surrey and Elmbridge could learn something from their neighbour.
Such measures have been introduced in the towns and villages of France where it's always a pleasure to drive my ageing MG knowing the suspension will not be damaged and it gives you time to appreciate the architecture and your surroundings.

These measures would be so much better.  They would maintain safety while avoiding costly damage to the suspension of residents' cars. They would remove the cost of maintaining the humps, together with the accompanying drainage and pothole problems they cause.  

The sooner the bumps go the better !

I agree with Lord Catering.

Im happy to sign a petition, l suggest the Library is best place.

Lord catering do you have a link to explain what's happening in Richmond.

High St is looking pretty bad at the mo in terms of uneven surface and potholes.  Another pothole near Ashley Road - will contact them about it. Is there any chance of getting the whole High Street resurfaced - a repaired pothole comes back very quickly it seems.

I've been banging on about this for several years.  While SCC Highways were doing the parking consultation, they argued that it was premature to look at resurfacing in case there were reconfigurations...

Latterly, Peter Hickman and Andrew Rpberts have chased the resurfacing of the High St (to which I would add the surfaces of the pavements in Ashley Rd, and of Church Walk)and SCC said that it was not in sufficiently bad condition to merit being brought forward.  i.e. not structurally crumbling on engineering criteria!   However when I last talked to Peter he thought they might bring it forward a little.

Yes, the snow has its teeth in. Can we have tegular or cobbles!!!!!!!!!!! Please see Dutch design ideas on other thread/website.

has anyone reported the pothole by the Octagon?

Don't know - have you? (can do it online).  As soon as one's reported, SCC is liable for damage to cars if it remains unrepaired.

But I saw Peter Hickman out and about there this (Saturday) morning.  He'd also been off bicycling to look at two other problems, and was being bearded by a resident about hedge-cutting on Angel Road.  What a busy fellow he is!

Doesnt the resident association have any fundraising money to sort this out?

Please can someone confirm how much you have to spend and also surrey council's CIL or s106 payments that been raised for village infrastructure??

sorry just saw this, i havent, posted at the time to check before i did, i'll try to today

done

Are we allowed to report the bodge repair job on the st leonards road roundabout pothole?

cant hurt to tell them, particularly rubbish job wasnt it

Definitely - though probably an email to SCC highways rather than the online system for reporting a defect - as you can bet the contractors have 'signed off' on this one.
Surrey's report a year ago: "May Gurney still not fulfilling contract in some areas but officers have been satisfied with quality of workmanship in others"

Since May Gurney was appointed contractors to SCC, having been fired for poor performance by East Sussex (while SCC fired Carillion for same), their share price has declined by a third.  Although up after a big dip these past few months (and doing OK in the TD Fund of Misery)

Well, ermmm, at least this is different as council PR:

.be

Sent in by a county councillor who prefers to remain anonymous LOL!

I reported a pothole several months ago, they replied after a few weeks, put orange paint around it shortly after, and that is how it has been left - now 2 months since the inspection was carried out.

There seem to be loads of potholes in the vilage at the moment - I've reported the ones that keep returning on the High Street and also Giggs Hill Road.  

Anyone know when the High Street will be resurfaced?  The temporary fixes do not seem to last that long and the quality of the road surface doesn't look that great..

agreed, good job "that cone" is there as it marks a serious hole

Craig -the counci has a lack of funds, payments from developments will assist improvements.

Not playing your game, apologies for lack of a bite. 

Planned for FY 2014-15.

they seemed to be doing something early this am

Thanks Admin.  If you know a contact email address for the resurfacing, I'll send an email and see if I can check when during the year it is planned.

Good news if they are making at least a temporary repair - we'll see how long this one lasts  ;).

peter:  Your namesake our assiduous county councillor writes in, in response: "the High Street is on the list for next fiscal year  ie between April 14 to March 15.  I have requested it to be early in the year. 

This winters' weather has caused at least £5m damage.  So far two bridges need replacement on the river Mole,  five embankments holding up roads and thousands of potholes. If the govt does not come up with money there will be a financial problem"

I thought the council had an amount of money they were keeping for 'something' - it's been referred to when discussing Council tax, I think. 

It will cost them a lot more if they have to start paying out for damage to cars caused by reported but unrepaired potholes.

On a related subject, any idea who I can have an informal conversation with about a particularly troublesome, badly repaired and unnecessary road hump? I would really like to discuss its removal. I've tried various council road maintenance numbers but never seem to get anyone who can I talk to about it.

I dont know which speed bump you wish to remove, im in support anyway and would like to help, can you please send a pm.

I think you will need to contact Surrey County Council not the local council.

oh well,whatever they did the potholes looks tidier, but much bigger and deeper and no warning of them with the cone removed! I'm guessing some sort of prep yesterday.

That's Elmbridge Borough Council, with its huge accumulated reserves which didn't stop the Tory cabinet taking advantage of last year with no borough elections to put up council tax, despite the Government's subsidy if they froze it.

SCC on the other hand, which has responsibllity for road maintenance (contract with May Gurney, taken over last year by Keir Group) is desperately strapped for cash.  It is their Highways Dept, a large and inefficient hot-desking department, which means you rarely speak to the same person twice, is the dept you want.

The potholes on Giggs hill road are deep and dangerous - might of been of my fault I.e not driving with due attention but I think my bumper even scrapped the road when the wheel went in.

Secondly, with more cars on station road, etc and causing the wear and tear - the corner at hjc has become too dangerous. I've now notice people don't even look turn right into Giggs hill road, I was nearly crushed there too.

Because this RA seems pretty useless at addressing saftey issues - I think it's properly to elevate things to out MP. Has anyone done this yet?

There needs to be one way down watts road - coming into the village (I suggest) - this will be good for the village shops and cut down on commuter parking / rat runners. It will be an amazing plus for the village life. 

I walked along the pavement on Station Road yesterday morning; the traffic was awful - but of more concern was the fact that I was not safe on the pavement because the cars joined me there.  Apart from the fact the potholes and puddles created a washing machine!!!

Isn't anyone writing to their MP or Surrey cc. 

The new lights are good but not excuse for holes in the road. Again a total rethink of the roads need to be done, I actually think if hampton court palace bridge could be widened it would help problems. Perhaps there's too many people now!

Have you?

I'm thinking about it, have you or anyone?

How was the response?

I've reported potholes in the past and had a good response. Watts road I don't see as an issue.

Hampton Court bridge I would imagine is extremely unlikely to be widened.

Potholes on Giggs hill now done - I'm glad to say.

Watts road - I am suggesting it would be nicier one way, there is a problem with people not looking turning right when coming from the station end - not sure how they work, how about one of those mirrors mounted high on hjc to show traffic coming down watts road. The problem is people stop to look both ways.

The stop line should be on station road not watts road. Watts Road and station road should be one street/roadway. I really do think that the cc should do something here.

A couple of years ago it was hard frosts and snow, now it's surface water, but the pothole problem is just as bad.  It is also recurrent, and repairs don't last.

Our councillor Peter Hickman reports that councillors raised the problems at a Local Committee informal meeting yesterday:  all areas are affected. 

There is a real problem across Surrey with the damage caused by the wet weather, and highways cannot deal with the sheer number.  
So far SCC estimate that the rain and flooding has caused about £14m of damage to roads and structures. This figure is increasing all of the time. In TD it is the roads that are suffering, potholes etc.    There are too many to fix "properly" and short term plugging is being done to the deepest holes.  This plugging is being done in all weathers and if the hole is wet the plug will not last for more than a few days. 

It is important that  potholes are reported. If a motorist damages their car and a reported pothole is not fixed SCC or  the contractor is liable. If SCC do not know about a pothole they are not liable. 

Because of the problems, officials indicate that when the weather improves the way potholes are fixed may change. 

Association members are trying to put together lists of potholes, but please report them yourselves to SCC as and when you see them.  Online:
http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-maintenance-and-cleaning/problems-on-roads-and-highways (http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-maintenance-and-cleaning/problems-on-roads-and-highways)

Potholes on and around speed humps are a particular problem, as they cause the cars to judder and crash much more over the bumps even at slow speeds.

Repairs last about five minutes when you can persuade anyone to look at them and they often don't meet the minimum size requirements for a repair even though, in conjunction with the bumps, they can cause as much damage to cars and property as much larger 'flat' potholes, as well as noise and vibration nuisance.

We all need to keep reporting the pot holes

We need to increase pressure on SCC to change their policies from attempting to fill one-in-three pot holes to whole-scale road resurfacing.

What beggars belief is these jokers come out fill one hole in one road and leave 20 others smaller ones within 50 metres of the one they fill in. 

To compound this the material used or the manner in which the operation is conducted results in the hole reappearing within 6 months.

If only these things were solvable at local level there might be some hope but sadly we need to look to those in power in SCC.

Thanks Montreaux - the obvious question is what is the strategy in talking to scc?

What is the aim of the correspondance? 

- get rid of the holes
- complète resurface
Or redesign of traffic control (both parking and amount of traffic coming through or info village) This incluses rational of speed bumps.

Suggest à draft letter is posted here for comment.

Yes.  When these things were Elmbridge's responsibility, local contractors could be hired, and fired if they didn't do a good enough job, I remember that things worked better.  Since Surrey took the responsibility about twelve years ago I think it was, and the politicos there went for large contracts with one of the few large contractors capable of taking on a whole county, it has been a wasteful disaster. 

Any idea what all the heavy machinery is doing on Church Lane/Ashley Road?

I guess they are resurfacing Church Lane but would be nice if they were also doing other roads in TD like Ashley, High St, Station Road etc. TD roads are in an awful state. St Leonard's has badly broken speed bumps, the high st has its usual holes and bumps, parts of station road seem to be down to the base layer and Weston green road has many potholes, some quite deep, especially around the building sites.  It would be great if this machinery was in place to fix all this (by retarmacing rather than temporary repair) but this is probably wishful thinking on my part.

I can see why a lot of people in TD opt for SUV/4x4s now.

- heavy machinery on high street today, maybe just wishful thinking

Well I fogot about the evil pot hole on Station Rd and bent my brand new bike wheel. Gutted!

Hi,

is it possible to ask the council its short and longterm plans on what it is going to do with the road surface in the High St?  I have just reported the High St road mess again to the council again...

Cycling through the HS is best avoided... I do!  Try riding, negotiating the speeding swearving cars bouncing over speed bumps, the pot-holes, the uneven road surface and then try indicating to turn right!

A long time ago I read about a village in Germany that installed a few sets of traffic lights eg one set in main roads into the village - Summer, St Leonards and Embercourt.  Then a further set both ends of the high street.  when any car exceded the speed limit, say 20mph the next set of lights stopped them so the only effective speed through the village is 20 mph ave speed, any more and you will be stopped.  thought that was a cool idea :-)

Bottom line resurface the road Elmbridge Council, and maybe stop cars parking on the HS, except short term shoppers and business drop off's, free parking in the carpark and a policed 10mph speed through the village/HS.  Job done and we all know the HS WILL be a nicer place to visit and shop!

Ferris

Ferris -

Both the Council and Surrey CC say it’s the others responsibility to sort things out, I don’t care who should be doing it but I would like to something done soon and hope something can be done to make it a pleasant environment.

I think the high street should have yellow lines, I have noticed a police van recently observing the peanut - have you thought about writing to Dominic Raab maybe to get an answer.

I prefer light and no bumps, no all aim is to slow traffic down, at least if run a traffic light you know you will be probably fined - swerving across the road to miss a bumps means nothing!!!!!

A colleague from Poland observed the roads in his country are in far better condition than in Surrey.   

That seems extraordinary, given the fact that Elmbridge must be on of the wealthiest boroughs.  Perhaps the tory councillors might have spent the 15% pay increase they awarded themselves on road maintenance ?

It is not only the condition of the roads and resulting wear and tear and damage to vehicles, not to mention recurring flooding under railway bridges, but also the ensuing inconvenience as improperly repaired roads will need to be closed again for resurfacing.

Hi all, apologies if this has already been covered but have you tried using fixmystreet.com to report potholes? 

So far I've used it twice to report potholes outside our place on Speer Road and both times they've been filled within a month. In fact on the most recent occasion I received a followup call from the council to ask if it had been filled to my satisfaction! 

Now that I've started cycling around the village a bit more I've started to notice how terrible the roads are in Thames Ditton. I may try and photograph some of the worst ones as I pass and report them.