Bold statement: A local safety push has yielded a real win for pedestrians—yet the road’s future safety plans are still up for debate. And this is where the controversy begins.
A parent and campaigner, Sam Neatrour, started a petition two years ago and is thrilled that the road is now safer for everyone. He also reaffirmed that his broader goal remains clear: he will keep pushing for 20mph zones to further reduce risks on Guildford’s streets.
Former Surrey councillor Fiona Davidson described the development as satisfying—proof that public pressure can lead to tangible outcomes when people feel strongly about safety.
The road safety campaign gathered significant support in 2024, with 1,000 people signing a petition addressed to Surrey County Council. Petitioners urged action on a segment they labeled as "incredibly dangerous" and called for both a pedestrian crossing and a speed reduction to 20mph (32km/h).
A pedestrian crossing has now been installed near a turning off Upper Edgeborough Road, which marks a concrete safety improvement. However, there has not yet been any official commitment to lowering the speed limit from 30mph on this stretch.
If you’ve followed this issue, you might wonder: should safety improvements be paired with speed limit reductions everywhere, or should crossings and limits be implemented based on specific risk profiles? What do you think is the most effective approach to protecting everyone on busy roads—more crossings, lower speeds, or a combination of both? Join the discussion in the comments with your perspective.
