Public asked for views on town centre 20mph plans

Surrey County Council is proposing to reduce the speed limit on A25 Reigate Road, and surrounding roads

A proposal to reduce the speed limit on roads in the northern section of Dorking town centre has been put to the public for their views.

Surrey County Council (SCC) is proposing to reduce the speed limit on A25 Reigate Road, and surrounding roads to 20mph, using signs only.

The council said there had been several concerns raised by residents and local members about speeding vehicles in the town, which led to several speed surveys.

Councillor Hazel Watson, who represents Dorking Hills, said: "The results indicate that the speed limit in those roads can be reduced to 20mph."

Funded via the Integrated Transport Schemes (ITS) with a budget of £2.8m, the council said the 20 mph speed limits would be predominantly self-enforcing, which would "retain credibility with motorists".

SCC said: "If necessary, where existing speeds are higher, we will use highway engineering and traffic calming to get speeds down.

"There will be no expectation that the police would be required to provide additional enforcement."

Data in 2023 showed there were, on average, almost 30 deaths on Surrey's roads annually.

The authority said the benefits of the new limits would be fewer collisions, reduced collision severity and improved safety for vulnerable users like "children, the elderly, and people with disabilities".

Other benefits would include improved air quality through reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions, which support's SCC's Climate Change Strategy, it added.

Residents have until 13 October to submit their views.

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