Engagement Report - St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School - Proposed School Street

Thank you to everyone who took time to share their views on the proposed School Street for St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School, Guildford. We value your involvement and the feedback provided. 

Following a detailed review of all comments received during the public engagement period, officers have carefully considered both the support expressed and the concerns raised.

What you Said

Feedback is highly polarized but predominantly negative with a clear distinction between support for the intent of the scheme and opposition to its proposed design and impacts.

Across all responses there is broad agreement on the need to do something. Improving child safety, air quality and active travel is widely supported. Many accept the current situation is unsafe, congested and unsustainable. There is recognition that behaviour change is necessary, particular reducing unnecessary car use.

Despite this support for the objective behind the proposal, most respondents strongly oppose the proposed School Street. Displacement of traffic is the overwhelming dominant concern, and that parking and pollution will be moved to surrounding roads.

The proposal is widely described as a scheme that “shifts the problem rather than solves it".

The second most raised concern is the wider safety risks. Whilst safety may improve on Horseshoe Lane West, respondents believe that it will worsen elsewhere, particularly on Epsom Road and the roads outside Boxgrove School and St Peters School

The proposed school street is widely viewed as mis-targeted, impractical and likely to create significant unintended consequences. 

Officers Recommendation 

Surrey County Council Officers recognise that the engagement findings demonstrate a clear and strong level of opposition to the proposed School Street for St Thomas Of Canterbury School. In light of this feedback, Surrey County Council Officers do not recommend progressing with the School Street Proposal. 

Instead we propose the following alternative measures: 

• Additional Parking Controls on Horseshoe Common West near the junction with Whitehouse Drive consisting of double yellow lines, with loading restrictions. 

• Bollards on the footway at the junction of Horseshoe Lane West/Whitehouse Drive to deter vehicles parking on the footway and obstructing  access for   emergency vehicles.

Decision 

The results and feedback from this engagement have been shared with your local County Councillor and a decision has been made to proceed with the alternative measures described above. 

Next Steps 

The above recommended parking controls will be subject to Statutory Public Consultation and bollards will be installed in the coming months. The situation will then be re-evaluated following implementation.   In the longer-term other options to manage and reduce traffic on these local residential roads, perhaps using strategically placed point closures to reduce through traffic could be considered and be subject to trial by the new West Surrey Unitary Authority after April 2027.

Please click here to view the report