ANTISOCIAL motorists are a "menace" to Surrey's roads – that is the message from one councillor who is launching a crusade against dangerous drivers.
Councillor Bob Gardner, Surrey County Council's representative for Merstham and Lower Kingswood, believes speed limits need cutting and says more enforcement is needed to crack down on dangerous drivers who put the lives of pedestrians and other road users at risk.
He intends to survey average speeds on some of East Surrey's busiest arterial roads and popular cut-throughs, and will then petition the council for action where he finds regular offending.
He told the Mirror: "Like most councillors I get very worried about speed, particularly because we have two of the biggest trunk roads in the county running through Reigate and Banstead with the A23 and A217.
"Where I live in Lower Kingswood we see varying volumes of traffic, but people are always coming off the M25 and driving at 70mph. They forget about speed limits on the A roads
"If we can prove that people are driving too fast, and I think they often are, then we will look at lowering speed limits and increasing enforcement in those areas."
While Cllr Gardner believes people regularly flaunt the 40 or 30mph speed limits on the major A roads, he is equally concerned about people using smaller roads to avoid traffic on major routes.
He said: "I frequently use Gatton Bottom road and I see people try to use it as a cut-through. They do the same with some of the country roads around here – people just don't adhere to the speed limit.
"At the junction where Gatton Bottom meets Merstham village [the A23], people go through there far too fast.
"People come off the main roads and put their foot down. They forget they are on smaller side roads and they're a menace.
"You get cars doing 50mph on Rocky Lane which is absolutely ludicrous – children walk along that road on the way to or from school. The road speed there needs to be lower.
"Nutfield Road is another busy one with people going up and down to Watercolour.
"It is just dangerous at times at the moment."
Cllr Gardner says he has others working alongside him to survey a selection of the roads in the area.
Though he highlighted a few trouble hotspots, he would not reveal all the roads in question.
He said: "I haven't told anyone exactly all the roads we are looking at, because if I did people would start to behave on those roads but it wouldn't help with the wider problem."
What roads do you think need tackling? Let us know by calling on 01737 783869 or by e-mailing editor@surreymirror.co.uk
