Merstham School Proposed Pedestrian Safety Scheme - Engagement Report

Thank you to everyone who took time to share their views on the proposed Raised Table with uncontrolled pedestrian crossings on Taynton Drive.  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

Analysis of the feedback received through the engagement shows that while some respondents welcomed the intention to improve safety outside Merstham Park School, the proposal did not receive overall support from the respondents. A significant proportion of comments expressed concerns about the potential loss of parking, lack of measures in Sutton Gardens and concerns about a negative impact on speeds. These points have been addressed through the officer responses. 

Despite these concerns, the engagement also highlighted clear support for the underlying aims of the scheme, with some respondents recognising that introducing a raised road table informal crossing point would improve safety for children and families travelling to and from the school.

Some respondents suggested broader measures such as including improvements in Sutton Gardens, making the crossing point a zebra crossing and reducing the speed limit. These fall outside the scope of the current scheme, but they have been noted and can be considered through the appropriate processes or by the new unitary council of East Surrey following Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in April 2027.

Officers Recommendation 

Taking into account both the concerns raised, and the strong safety benefits identified, the Council considers that the scheme will deliver meaningful improvements to the pedestrian environment outside the school and will support safer, more sustainable travel choices. The scheme has the support of both the county councillor and Surrey Police, and for these reasons the decision has been taken to proceed with the next step:

County Councillor Decision 

The County Councillor for the division has reviewed the engagement findings and decided to support progressing the scheme, taking into account both resident feedback and his support for making roads safer outside schools. 

As a result, the raised table pedestrian safety  proposal will proceed to the statutory Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) stage. 

A draft TRO will now be prepared and advertised for statutory consultation. This legal process provides a further opportunity for formal opportunities to be submitted before a decision is made on whether the Raised Table is to be implemented. 

Please click here to view the report