Following a recent meeting in November with Highways England, the following matters were discussed in relation to Hooley. Hopefully, we will see some improvements in the near future and it was agreed by all at the meeting, the improvements discussed, all had safety and wellbeing at the core:
- The constant U turn vehicles travelling North but, wanting to travel South, make outside of Starbucks/Dean Lane is very hazardous and whilst there is no straightforward solution, this should be addressed. A wider study is ongoing regarding a solution to the issues surrounding the M23/M25/A23.
- The pedestrian footway to the WEST of the A23 comes to a sudden end just past the junction with Church Lane. Pedestrians walking towards Merstham and Redhill are therefore, required to cross the busy A23 a minimum of three times in order to re-join the pedestrian footway the Merstham side of the A23 under the disused bridge crossing it. This is extremely dangerous and requires urgent attention.
- The current 40mph speed limit through Hooley Village is excessive and is regularly breached by motorists at various times of the day outside of rush hour and in particular during the hours of darkness. The speed limit needs to be reduced to 30mph through this residential stretch of the A23/Brighton Road and appropriate measures (village gates etc) installed to educate motorists, culminating perhaps, in an average speed camera system being installed.
- The No Right Turn order/regulatory signs out of Church Lane on to the A23 Brighton Road are regularly ignored and many vehicles turn right, in particular during rush hour when tailbacks occur at the Star Lane junction with Brighton Road. This is dangerous, there have been several accidents here, and this requires attention.
- Parking on the pedestrian footway along the A23 Brighton Road is a regular occurrence and is dangerous for pedestrians, in particular those with sight impairments, mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams/buggies. It is strongly suspected that motorists park fully on the pedestrian footway to avoid the double yellow lines on the A23.
- There are traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossings at the A23/Church Lane and A23/Star Lane junctions but, there is no traffic signal controlled crossing at the A23/Netherne Drive junction. This proves hazardous for pedestrians, in particular children and the elderly, alighting from the southbound 405 bus at this junction to cross the A23/Brighton Road. At the A23/Star Lane junction, although the traffic may be held at a red traffic signal in Star Lane, traffic still enters Star Lane at speed from the A23 Brighton Road and this causes a significant hazard for pedestrians trying to cross Star Lane. Again children and the elderly in particular, are put at risk.
- Following the resurfacing and fresh bay markings to the lay-by outside the small parade of shops on the A23/Brighton Road, existing parking restrictions have not been enforced and Disabled Bay signs on the adjoining footway have not been erected. Parking in this lay-by is therefore, unrestricted and passing trade is unable stop to use the shop(s) which, has led to, and is leading to, the shops gradually closing down and being converted into accommodation. The litter bins along this stretch of the Brighton Road also appear to be left for a very long time before being emptied.
