The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting, held on Thursday, 16 November 2023, saw councillors discuss and approve community grants, address concerns regarding traffic management schemes, and review parking restrictions. Key decisions included the approval of £300 for Momentum Children's Charity and £3,000 for Man and Boy, alongside a decision to alter parking restriction hours in St Andrew Square.

Tolworth Area Healthy Streets Scheme

The committee received an update on the Tolworth Area Healthy Streets Scheme. Councillor Tom Reeve, Chair of the Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee, announced that a four-week public consultation would commence in January, with a report to be presented to the committee in March. This followed a previous discussion on 20 September where measures on Thornhill Road, Tolworth Road, and Douglas Road, including zebra crossings, were agreed. Public questions raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures in addressing through traffic. Councillor Ian Manders, Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Biodiversity and Planning Policy, clarified that the measures were primarily for road safety, distinguishing them from traffic volume reduction strategies. He acknowledged that addressing through traffic was complex and involved discussions with Transport for London (TfL).

King Charles Road Modal Filter and Petitions

Significant public interest was evident regarding the King Charles Road modal filter, with two petitions presented. Graham Hare, representing a group of residents, presented a petition with over 2,000 signatures opposing the modal filter. He argued that the decision to make the barrier permanent in July 2021 was scandalous and that monitoring and data collection promised had not occurred. Mr. Hare highlighted increased traffic, pollution, and noise in surrounding Berrylands roads, citing an increase in accidents on Rayburn Avenue since the filter's installation. He urged the committee to defer a decision until February 2024, when a highways report would be available, allowing for an informed debate.

Conversely, Dr. Elizabeth McGill presented a petition in support of retaining the low-traffic neighbourhood on King Charles Road. She emphasised the health benefits, including reduced air pollution, with King Charles Road previously being in the top 1% of UK postcodes for pollution levels. Dr. McGill also highlighted the improved safety for children and residents, enabling greater use of local amenities like a playground, green spaces, and a future school. She argued that removing the filter risked exacerbating social and health inequalities, particularly for children in disadvantaged groups more susceptible to air pollution. Dr. McGill stressed that the modal filter represented an opportunity for systems change in addressing climate and health crises and urged the committee to maintain the filter while pursuing holistic solutions for traffic congestion. The committee noted that the petitions would be formally received, with a full debate and decision scheduled for February 2024.

Riverside Controlled Parking Zone Review

The committee reviewed the Riverside Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) following a consultation with residents. Eunice Amade, the council's principal engineer, presented the findings, which indicated that 41% of respondents were unhappy with the existing CPZ times (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). While there was limited support for extending hours to Saturday or Sunday, a significant portion (48%) preferred to leave the restrictions as they were. A key issue raised by residents in St Andrew Square was the displacement of parking by commuters and others using Maple Road, which has longer operating hours.

The committee decided to change the hours of parking restriction for St Andrew Square from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This change aims to align St Andrew Square with the hours of the adjacent Maple Road, addressing the parking concerns of St Andrew Square residents. Councillor Liz Green, Chair of the Health Overview Panel, noted that this was a compromise, acknowledging that residents of Maple Road were not consulted on this specific change and that further review might be necessary if issues persist. The decision is subject to a statutory consultation and traffic management order.

Community Grants Program

Two applications for the community grants program were approved. The first was for £300 for Momentum Children's Charity to support families over the Christmas period, aimed at improving their emotional well-being. The committee agreed to approve the grant despite the applicant's absence, with a condition that they report on their performance at a future meeting.

The second grant approved was for £3,000 for Man and Boy to support their positive families program. Luke McKelvey, Development Manager at Man and Boyd, explained that the program provides mentoring and enrichment activities for families from separated backgrounds, particularly those affected by the cost of living crisis. The funding will support three families, with the organisation aiming to assist 30 families annually. The committee unanimously approved the grant, recognising the charity's work in supporting local families and its impact-orientated approach.

Work Programme

The committee noted its work programme, with an update on the Tolworth Healthy Streets Scheme confirming the January consultation and March meeting date. Councillor Andrew Wooldridge suggested that the description of the Tolworth Area Healthy Streets Scheme in the work programme should be amended from implemented to proposed as no measures have yet been put in place. Democratic Services agreed to make the necessary amendment.