Roads and infrastructure consultation feedback 2023

Overview

In January 2023, we launched a consultation for Weybridge residents on proposed improvements to the roads and infrastructure in and around Weybridge. The consultation ran from 24th January to 28th February and included online plans and questionnaire and an in-person drop-in event with the project team.  

The aims of the project are to:  

• Improve air quality in the town centre 
• Reduce congestion 
• Support more cycling and active travel 
• Speed reduction measures 
• Introduce a 20mph speed limit in some areas 
• Improve the pedestrian environment 

To recap, some of the proposed changes were:  

• Footway improvements - widening existing footways 
• Carriageway improvement works 
• Providing new cycling and pedestrian links, routes, and spaces 
• On-street parking review to make improvements where possible 
• Speed reduction measures 
• Decluttering of unused street furniture 
• Public transport improvement works (bus stops and bus shelters) 
• Identifying potential locations for urban greening 
• Lighting upgrade works 
• Improved signage 
• Implementation of 20mph zone in the town centre  
• Closure of Elgin Road to through traffic 
• Introduction of a modal filter on Old Wharf Way to prevent through traffic  

Summary of respondents 

There were 488 original Commonplace contributions and 59 agreements with these contributions, giving a total of 547 contributions. 114 feedback emails were also sent directly to the Weybridge project email address.  

• A majority (97%) of respondents said that their main connection to the area was as a resident. 

• Walking (48%) or driving in a car (41%) were the two most frequent modes of transport to and from Weybridge town centre used by participants 

Results

Town centre improvements  

We asked participants what they liked and disliked about Weybridge town centre as it is currently. Almost 40% of participants felt that there was nothing that they liked about Weybridge town centre. The volume of traffic and an accompanying lack of safety were the top 3 dislikes. 

Reduced traffic congestion (35%) was felt to be the number one incentive to encourage increased use of Weybridge town centre. This was accompanied by the creation of a more attractive environment (28%). Together, these two potential actions were considered as the most powerful, eclipsing all others. Additionally, over half (54%) of participants said that they had noticed an increase in rat-running in recent years. Participants perceived that this increase was causing pedestrians difficulty in crossing the road, together with decreased safety in relation to walking and/or cycling. 

We asked participants to tell us what they thought was important in terms of overall town centre improvements: 

• 81% of respondents felt that creating streets which are easy and safe to cross with direct routes was very important  
• 65% of respondents felt that a transport network that supported active travel was important for the town centre 

We asked consultation participants to tell us what would encourage them to use Weybridge town centre more. Reduced traffic congestion (35%) was felt to be the number one incentive to encourage increased use of the town centre. This was accompanied by the creation of a more attractive environment (28%).  

We also asked consultation participants to tell us what would encourage them to cycle in the town centre more, the most advocated measure is seen as the provision of safer cycle routes – separating cycles from other traffic. Almost half (49%) of everyone who gave their ideas on pro-cycling encouragements identified this as a key action.  

Old Wharf Way  

75% of commonplace respondents were against the proposed closure of Old Wharf Way to through traffic. A further 26% of all email communication received raised concerns and objected to this proposal.  

Elgin Road 

76% of respondents on the Commonplace site did not support the implementation of the proposed closure of Elgin Road to through traffic. A further 25% of all email communications received raised concerns and objected to this proposal. 

20mph zone  

58% of respondents supported the implementation of a 20mph zone in Weybridge town centre.  

Outcomes and next steps

Detailed design is underway and the feedback received during the consultation will inform the updated designs. We will not go ahead with the Elgin Road and Old Wharf Way closures to through traffic due to a lack of support. The design for Minorca Road/Church Street is being reviewed in terms of bus stops and crossings facilities. The 20mph proposal is planned to go ahead due to support in the consultation. We are reviewing options to introduce a bus stop outside Norfolk House on Balfour Road and assessing if a crossing can be introduced at Elmgrove Road junction with the High Street. 

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond in detail to the proposals.