Recent restrictions on access to Surbiton Crescent, and the resulting penalty charges – reaching a mind boggling £500,000 between 14th and 20th November - have had locals up in arms.
The trial 'Traffic Calming Measure' is part of the Go Cycle programme, a response to predictions that the borough's population will rise by 50,000 by 2050. The scheme aims to prepare for future transport demands and encourage people to use more sustainable forms of transport such as cycling and buses.
Whilst the initiative has been met with support – it is clear that enthusiasm for this particular move is plummeting like a lead balloon. A total of 21,625 penalty fines have been issued in the five weeks since its introduction – 8626 of these within the first week.
Councillor Christine Elmer, for Walton South, who has been fined herself after a car journey through the area with Councillor Malcom Howard, said: “I can’t believe that many people would get it so badly wrong and deliberately contravene a traffic system - the numbers caught are astronomical.”
Many are suggesting that the high figures are as a result of inadequate signing in the area. Roger Marlow, one of many to fall afoul to this new restriction, told us "I visited the scene of the crime on 28th and 30th November to take photos prior to making an appeal and waved down at least a dozen drivers who were amazed that there was a restriction and could not understand the signage". Roger is not the only one to appeal his fine. Margaret Simper, having used the same route to Kingston for 40 years, wrote that she had "appealed this notice saying that the signs were inadequate", but was unsuccessful and had to pay the fine.
Kingston Council released a statement on the issue outlining that "The signs installed meet the requirements set out by the Department for Transport (DfT)," they also pointed out that they have "installed a number of non-mandatory signs to give road users advanced warning on their approach to the restriction."
So, perhaps, we are to believe that Surbiton Crescent has a curse upon it, which rendered 21,625 of those who use it lackadaisical towards complying with traffic systems.
Parents and staff at Surbiton High, a school on the crescent, have also been subjected to heavy charges. One aghast mother of children at the school wrote to us describing the situation: "We were advised by Surbiton High it was happening well in advance, and we provided our registration numbers to the school, who passed them on to the council. We were assured that we would not receive a ticket if we were accessing the sixth form centre but this has not proved to be the case".
Teachers are reportedly receiving daily tickets also. The school is due to have a meeting with Kingston Council to straighten things out. Whether this access restriction will become a permanent fixture won't be evident until after the flow study in February. Until then, join the conversation on Twitter following the hashtag #SurbitonCrescent, and let us know what you think at @EssentialSurrey or in the comment section below.
The campaign Keep Surbiton Crescent Open, has accumulated a large following, with a petition on Go Petition having 642 signatures – needing 500 to be addressed by Kingston Council.
You can add your signature at gopetition.com. People are also being encouraged to appeal their fines and email the council quoting TMO - P236 on TMO@kingston.gov.uk.
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