We thought some of our followers may be experiencing the same problems as Grumpy of Alfold. ‘Trying’ is an understatement as frustrated motorists navigate their way around the proliferation of roadworks. Some of which are a disgrace to the road-laying profession. Some resurfaced with tar and chipping are already showing signs of chipping wear, and have required remedial action. Perhaps Surrey highway officers should take a trip across the border into Sussex on the A281 – where its roads are resurfaced properly with bituminous macadam?
We received this from Alfold resident Denise Wordsworth.
“I have no problem with SCC doing roadworks and I think we all welcome them, our roads are a mess… But for goodness sake give us the correct information, such as making sure the actual dates of the roadworks are accurate?? make the Signage & Diversion signs accurate. Make sure if you have closed the road there is someone actually …
… DOING SOMETHING
Also, perhaps recognise there are certain parts of the borough where diversions are not applicable because the Road Infrastructure is so LIMITED ie East to West. So do the damn figures, and work out how people are supposed to get to work when you cannot be bothered to inform us how we get from A to B – These roadworks have been shambolic, to say the least.
I would hope that someone, like Richard Cooper from SCC – who smiles his way through Planning Applications and says there is no issue with the road Infrastructure here in the East would explain the chaos this has caused us and the rest of Waverley. We drove through countless Villages that said the roads were closed – But obviously NOT. If I can read the long-range weather forecast it doesn’t take a rocket scientist from SCC to do the same if the rubbish weather is the issue????
After a 2.5hr round trip to Hindhead from Alfold on Saturday morning – It was enough to make my blood boil – Now I have the same issue during the working week and with the next batch in June – I will have to go with the rush hour to avoid the 9 am Closures on the A281 at Graffham. – Why not at least make it traffic lights so you know you can get through albeit planning for a delay?
There is a complete disconnect between these people at Surrey County Council and those that live in the Villages that have no train stations nearby they can WALK /CYCLE – not like us who have no access to Hospitals etc, without access to the A281.
WHEN WILL SOMEONE WAKE UP?
This is what makes me so Bally angry with all this Planning Vs Sustainability – It must now be obvious that where we are here in Alfold and the surrounding villages there is NOTHING Sustainable… They close the A281 and our businesses and our lives suffer!
WAKE UP WAVERLEY and SCC
I just hope some of the councillors that read your site WW will take this on board and do something about it – Because at the moment I have heard nothing other than “Sorry more roadworks!………..” Just not good enough. I am a tiny self-employed person – But sure there are plenty of other more substantial businesses that are feeling it worse.
Really GRUMPY from ALFOLD
Denise
Sadly Denise -nobody takes any notice of anything that we say. However, we live in hopes that our new Surrey County Councillors, like the couple featured here, can make some impact now they are all covered up and ready to roll! How they will all recognise one another is quite another question?
Highways are incompetent – there, I’ve said it. They have no idea what their sub-contractors plan to do or when. The traffic management is sub-contracted out and they just throw up a few signs and cash the cheque. They don’t liaise with their client to see when the work is happening. Highways are slow to respond and poor at comms. Nearly all their bulletins are unreliable as their contractors don’t tell them when they are not proceeding. Richard Cooper is an embarrassment. Remember the 2nd critical UKOG Committee meeting? Richard decided he’d take the day off and leave his subordinate to take the flak. I have lost count how many times Highways have given a cursory glance at a Planning Application and then tick the box marked “fine” and that is a green light for planning officers to dismiss any discussion about highways matters because Surrey say it is OK and they are not here in the meeting to field questions.
If Paul Follows and Liz Townsend have any cartridges in their shotgun marked “Reforms at County Council” then they should have the first two put aside for Highways. Both Barrels are needed.