11 months of disruption in Caterham as maintenance works begin
Maintenance works are set to begin on Croydon Road, one of the main roads through Caterham[1], Surrey, today (12 February) and will last for 11 months. The work aims to improve the road's footpaths and water drainage, and new benches and charging points for electric cars will also be installed.
A site compound will be placed in front of the play area on Timber Hill Park as work begins. From 26 February until 9 December, traffic lights and partial road closures will be seen on Croydon Road.
Some parking bays near Timber Hill Park will be suspended for the duration of the work, and some pavements will occasionally be closed.
Sketches show how the Caterham scheme could look after completion (Image: Tandridge District Council)
Shops and businesses will remain open although Tandridge District Council said the work may cause noise, with some overnight operations. The works being carried out include essential surface water repairs, extending and improving footpaths and installing new paving.
A notice from Tandridge District Council said: “To carry out this work, from February 5 to November 29, a traffic management plan will be in place, this includes temporary traffic lights and partial road closures.” The council added: “Every effort will be made to minimise traffic delays, although it is impossible to avoid completely.”
They will also be extending and improving trees and greenery and installing rain gardens which will absorb water running off the road and help alleviate flooding. Changes to parking and bus bays and installing two electric vehicle charging spaces will also take place.They will be installing sustainable urban drainage systems under the surface of parking bays and footpaths.
Surrey County Council[2] (SCC) as the local highways authority has also proposed a 20mph speed limit be introduced on 16 roads in the area.
This was previously mentioned in 2018 in a Supplementary Planning Document for the Caterham scheme. SCC said the change would lead to improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists and continued online[3]: “Drivers will be alerted to the 20mph speed limit by a combination of signs and road markings.”
It is understood work on the 20mph scheme will start later in the programme and the new speed limit is subject to a statutory consultation. This will be advertised and members of the public will be able to submit comments to the council. If there are objections, these will be reviewed before proceeding.
Proposed roads for 20mph speed limit:
- Farningham Road
- Commonwealth Road
- Mount Pleasant Road
- Colin Road
- Croydon Road
- Highfield Drive
- Crescent Road
- Timber Hill Road
- Station Avenue
- Church Hill
- Stafford Road
- Godstone Road
- Clareville Road
- Eothen Close
- Harestone Hill
- Harestone Valley Road
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