The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions meeting on Tuesday 28 July 2026 addressed concerns regarding parking and road safety on Grenside Road and a petition for pavement widening on Church Street in Staines. Decisions were made to extend double yellow lines on Grenside Road to improve sightlines, while the proposal for planters was deferred. The petition for pavement widening on Church Street was noted, but no action was planned due to feasibility concerns and observed compliance with speed limits.

Grenside Road Parking and Safety Concerns

A petition concerning the severe traffic and parking crisis on Grenside Road was discussed. Martin Groves, representing the petitioners, highlighted issues including dangerous and illegal parking, with vehicles routinely parked on double yellow lines, blind corners, and blocking driveways. He emphasised the danger to pedestrians, particularly school children, who are forced into the road due to blocked pavements. Mr. Groves also noted that disabled and elderly residents are effectively trapped in their homes. He requested that Surrey County Council utilise Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act powers to penalise dangerous manoeuvres, commit to active civil enforcement, install new road markings, and erect proper signage.

Councillor Tim Oliver, the division councillor, supported the petition and noted that the problem is exacerbated by school pick-up and drop-off times. He suggested extending double yellow lines to improve sightlines at the entrance to garages and acknowledged the issue of parents parking on pavements. Councillor Oliver also mentioned the potential for using school fields for parking during drier months, a matter he would discuss further with the school and local councillors.

Ricky Hill, an officer, confirmed that extending double yellow lines on the bends would be looked into as part of a works order. He also noted that the effectiveness of such measures is dependent on future government powers to enforce footway parking.

Decision: It was decided to extend the double yellow lines on Grenside Road to improve sightlines. The proposal for planters was deferred to assess space and funding.

Church Street, Staines - Pavement Widening

A petition requesting the widening of the pavement at the junction of Church Street and Vicarage Road in Staines was also considered. The petition highlighted that the pavement, particularly outside The Bells public house, is less than 70cm wide at its narrowest point, posing a hazard for disabled and elderly users, as well as those with pushchairs and wheelchairs. The petitioners also expressed concern about traffic speeds at the junction, suggesting that widening the pavement and narrowing the road could help reduce speeds.

Councillor Matt Furniss, the Cabinet Member, acknowledged the narrowness of the pavement outside The Bells public house, with widths varying between 0.7m and 1.1m. However, he stated that a detailed feasibility study would be required to determine if there was sufficient road width for two-way traffic and if the road would need to become one-way. He noted that making a road one-way can sometimes lead to increased speeds and would cause significant diversions. Therefore, the council has no plans to widen the pavement.

Regarding traffic speeds, the response indicated that survey results from June 2026 showed average mean speeds of 15.02 mph for eastbound traffic and 15.99 mph for westbound traffic, demonstrating good compliance with the 20mph speed limit. It was acknowledged that occasional drivers may exceed the limit, and that narrow pavements can create a perception of higher speeds. The north side of Church Street was noted as having a significantly wider pavement that could be used as an alternative.

Decision: No action was planned regarding the pavement widening on Church Street. The concerns raised were noted.