In February, the Surrey County Council administration proposed a new budget with an astonishing £51.8 million pound reduction in funds allocated for highways maintenance, which the Liberal Democrat group has opposed because of the knock-on effect this will have on the county's infrastructure.
Your Lib Dem councillors are trying to get the most out of a budget being decimated by Tory-controlled Surrey County Council to repair potholes and resurface roads across Waverley.
In Haslemere, Cllr John Robini has been getting roads prioritised for resurfacing, many of which have now been tackled. Particularly parts of Weyhill, Critchmere Hill, Woolmer Hill, Grayswood Road, West St, St.Christopher’s Road and Farnham Lane. He now has Weycombe Road in the programme too.
Cllr Liz Townsend has been fighting hard for residents who are upset at the numerous water disasters befalling the village, resulting in lots of travel disruption from burst water mains and sewer leaks.
In more positive news, a project championed by Liz has been green-lit to install a new pelican crossing on Ewhurst Road near to St Nicolas Avenue, which can be a dangerous stretch with the current zebra crossing. In Ewhurst, Liz has also secured resurfacing of the terrible pavement down from the Infants School during the February half term.
In Godalming, a major project to reconfigure the station access has been welcomed by Lib Dem county councillors Penny Rivers and Paul Follows for the town, as it plans to improve pedestrian access. Currently Mill Lane and Station Approach have narrow, uneven or missing pavements that force pedestrians to walk close to traffic or even in the road. After a public consultation, the section is going to be made one-way to allow for wider and pedestrian-friendly routes, hopefully making it safe and better experience for visitors to the busy station (pictured).
Penny has also secured a safer crossing at Farncombe Station which was completed in January, much to the delight of Farncombe Infant School students and parents who needed a safer crossing point for Station Road.
Lastly over in Hindhead, Cllr Julian Spence reports potholes are being reported & filled, overgrown hedges and vegetation attended to, and damaged signs are set to be replaced. Your borough councillors there are working street by street to spot issues and report them to the county council to ensure they're dealt with correctly.
If you spot dangerous potholes or road surfaces in your area, please get in touch with your local county councillor or report it directly to Surrey County Council with a photo.
Road safety and a focus on local businesses are at the heart of improvements scheduled for Cranleigh High Street starting in 2023.
Progress on 20mph limits for Haslemere, as championed by volunteers at Haslemere Active Travel and Lower Street residents, is being made after Lib Dem Cllr Terry Weldon's motion was backed at the Town Council.
Proposed cuts to two vital bus routes connecting Godalming, Milford and our villages put residents' health, leisure and work prospects at risk and undermine them during a cost of living crisis.
