Liberal Democrat Councillors on Surrey County Council recognise that there is huge frustration in communities about the difficulties in getting road safety schemes funded in a timely manner and, whilst the County Council discusses its budget for next year, they have called for greater investment in measures to tackle road safety issues across the county.

They have proposed the creation of a Road Safety Fund which will enable local communities to access the funding needed to get the lower speed limits, pedestrian crossings, junction improvements, cycle lanes, and other safety measures which so many communities want to make their areas safer. Where there is local support, 20 mph zones, could also be introduced using this potential Road Safety Fund.

All over Surrey there are requests for road safety improvements. The County Council’s Local and Joint Committees receive regular petitions calling for improvements to the highways network but the County Council is unable and unwilling to act on these requests. This proposal is a practical and affordable way to allow these schemes to be delivered: we have been clear where the funds are coming from and we believe this proposal will meet an unmet need in our communities.