Seven Hills Road to close for seven months

It is feared the closure could have a major knock on effect for the rest of Elmbridge and Byfleet as diversions will be set up and traffic redirected.

Joe Hall, of the Weybridge Society, said: "This is completely unacceptable and the scheme should be for lane closure and traffic control using traffic lights. This proposed plan will have a very serious effect on all the surrounding roads. We already suffer from unacceptable levels of through traffic which should be using the A3 and M25.

"These local roads were designed for horses and carts in the 1830's. Any major works on these narrow roads requires a traffic signing and management scheme that effectively diverts through traffic away from this area."

Weybridge resident, Julia Lindon Travers, said: "Whilst I am sure we all understand the essential works need to be done it should be with minimal disruption to the local residents. I feel very strongly that as local residents and Surrey council tax payers, we should have a choice and a traffic light system or similar is preferable to complete closure."

Southern Gas, who will be repairing the gas main, have been working closely with Surrey county council to come up with the proposal.

Surrey council put out a public order notice on Thursday, October, 29 detailing the plan and stating that the seven month closure could happen an any point over the next 12 months from Monday.

Councillor for St George's Hill, Peter Harman (St George's Hill Independents), said: "It is going to cause absolute chaos. I was bombarded by residents emailing me and asking about it, they didn't feel Surrey county council was being very clear. There has been no public consultations. I'm not sure why, maybe because of the backlash, but it would be good for the public to say something."

Although the public order says the seven month closure could happen from Monday, the council has confirmed that it won't start until late December. However testing will take place from next week, and could see the road shut temporarily before December.

A spokeswoman from Surrey county council, said: "We are still finalising details of the closure and diversion routes. We have therefore not been in a position to put out any information. The utility companies have the right to work on the highway. We work closely with them and other parties to minimise the impact as much as possible. Once arrangements are confirmed both we and Southern Gas will be publicising the details over a wide area and making every effort to keep residents well informed."

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