Archive for the ‘Moor Lane Island’ Category

28 Apr 2009: Transcript of an email to a local resident from John Masson, Principal Engineer, Surrey Highways

“With regard to your query, the background to the removal of the small grassy island is as follows:

I had a query from one of the residents who was concerned about safety at the junction, particularly at night. He was concerned that motorists could mistakenly drive into Moor Lane instead of following the right hand bend in New Lane. I therefore carried out a site inspection, and I concurred with his view that safety could be improved by making the junction more conspicuous. To this end the small, off-set island was removed, the carriageway resurfaced and proper junction markings put down. This was intended to be a minor, pro-active non-controversial job to improve road safety – something which Surrey County Council takes very seriously. The last thing we wanted to do was upset the residents.

Following removal of the island, several residents asked if it could be put back. They said that they thought speeds in Moor Lane had increased as a result. I offered to carry out a discrete survey of vehicle speeds to see if there was a problem, but I told them that the island could not be reinstated in its original state, as it was not kerbed or lit and did not have the appropriate signs on it to guide drivers around the island.

The “new” island appeared some time later, in a different position to the original island. It not only made the right turns into and out of Moor Lane very tight, but the centre line of the road led drivers straight into the island.

As the island was a safety hazard and was put in without the permission of the Highway Authority, a corporate decision was taken to remove it.

That is not to rule out altogether the construction of an island at the junction, but it needs to be properly designed and constructed in the proper position. It could then enhance road safety rather than compromising it. This I have mentioned in my e-mails to some of the other residents.

I hope that this clarifies the situation.

Regards,

John Masson
Principal Engineer
Surrey Highways”

28th March 2008: Residents were pleasantly surprised to find that the Moor Lane Island had been restored overnight to prime condition.

The island, which has been a feature of the lane for over 60 years was removed in February 2009 by Surrey County Council without notice or consultation as featured in this story: http://westfieldcommon.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/plea-to-bring-back-moor-lane-island/

One wonders how long it will remain this time?

Just for fun, but underlying a serious point….

Sing along to the tune of “Islands in the Stream”

Verse:
Moor Lane, when I saw you there was peace unknown
I set out to live there,
It would be my home,
I was happy inside, but was something goin on?

Surrey removes the island and I feel ignored
Access required? I feel so sure
All these things on the lane
There IS something going on!

Surrey is blind, it needs no consultation
All this island removal – we require an explanation
We’ll raise it together, ah-ah
From one neighbour to another, ah-ah

Chorus:
Island in the road
That is was what you were
Now nothing in-between
How can this be right?

Complain away with me
To the Surrey board
And we’ll restore it together, ah-ah
One neighbour to another, ah-ah

Verse:
I cant live without you now that you are gone
Now the island is nothin and they tell no one
While Surrey digs in the night
We are gearing up for a real fight

This wont happen to us and Ive got no doubt
Committed one together, we find a way out
And the message is clear
Put the island back, this is our clear steer.

No more will you try
To change our lane, oh never
We start and end as one, in concert together
We can do this together, ah-ah
Respecting our wishes forever, ah-ah

Chorus:
Island in the road
That is what you are
Now something in-between
How can this be wrong?

Complained away with me
To the Surrey board
And we restored it together, ah-ah
One neighbour to another, ah-ah

Enjoy!

As featured in the February 28, 2009 edition of the Woking Review (page 7).

©28 Feb 2009 – Woking Review.  All rights acknowledged.

And here is the original picture supplied to the Woking Review.