Campaigner's joy as work on zebra crossing begins

Work has begun to install a zebra crossing on Chalkpit Lane in Dorking

A parent who has been campaigning for five years for a zebra crossing on a busy road in Surrey has said she is "overjoyed" work has begun.

Campaigners said the current crossing point on Chalkpit Lane, Dorking, left pedestrians, including pupils from nearby schools, "vulnerable" after various "near misses".

Aimee Fairhurst, 44, said: "It's not about my kids now. Future parents won't have the same worry I did."

Surrey County Council (SCC) said it was "delighted" to implement the crossing as part of a number of schemes to improve road safety across the county.

Ms Fairhurst said she started the campaign because her son wanted to walk to school on his own, but the old crossing was not fit for purpose.

She said the campaign was a "great example of people coming together to make change happen in a community".

The existing crossing is on a busy road used by HGVs and motorists travelling between Dorking and Leatherhead

Chalkpit Lane is a busy road used by HGVs and motorists particularly travelling between Dorking and Leatherhead.

Ms Fairhurst, and fellow campaigner Kathy Kyle, were concerned about road safety as many children use the route to access local schools, St Martin's Primary, The Ashcombe School and Meadowbank Park.

SCC said in a statement: "[The crossing] will slow traffic and make crossing the road, walking, scooting, and cycling to the school easier, safer, and more pleasant.

"This is one of 30 schemes that have been introduced across Surrey over the last three years after £3m funding was allocated for this purpose by the county council in 2022."

The authority said that 2025 saw further funding allocated to tackle problems caused by vehicle congestion, anti-social driving and parking near schools to "make school journeys safer and healthier".

It said it was on schedule to complete the new crossing by 13 September, subject to operational and weather conditions.