Community celebrates zebra crossing plans

Campaigners say they are "thrilled" to have galvanised community support for a new zebra crossing which is now set to be installed in Surrey.

The current crossing point on Chalkpit Lane, Dorking, leaves pedestrians, including pupils from nearby schools, "vulnerable" at a traffic "pinch point" according to parents.

Kathy Kyle and Aimee Fairhurst have been campaigning for five years and now a consultation on plans for the crossing is at its final stage.

Ms Kyle said: "It's been a really long time coming and I think it'll be safer, greener and healthier for everyone involved."

She said she had seen near misses at the crossing, including children on scooters being pulled away from oncoming cars.

"I'm thrilled we're almost there," she added.

The road is used by those travelling to nearby The Ashcombe School, St Martins Church Of England Primary School and Dorking Nursery School, the parents said.

A Surrey County Council spokesperson said a provisional start date for works was set at 11 August, provided any objections raised in the current consultation were set aside.

"We are looking forward to the scheme being introduced because it will slow traffic and make crossing the road, walking, scooting, and cycling to the school easier, safer, and more pleasant," they added.

Ms Fairhurst said it was a very busy thoroughfare, with HGVs, commuters, and people on the school run using the road.

"It just becomes a very busy pinch point with a lot of pedestrians, cyclists, people with prams, dogs," she added.

"The current crossing is not fit for purpose."

The campaign previously gathered 1,000 signatures on a petition.

"It's incredible, I've got goosebumps when I talk about it," she said.

"I feel like it could make a really significant difference to the community here."

Chloe, a pupil at one of the nearby schools, told BBC Radio Surrey she hoped it would make the walk to school quicker.

"It's quite hard to cross the road as it's dangerous," she said.

"There's lots of turns near here and it's hard to see the cars coming round the corners."

Margaret, 11, who went to a primary school in the area, said crossing the road could take a long time.

She added: "You're about to cross and then this other car swerves in front of you so you're waiting for ages."

A spokesperson for The Ashcombe School said they welcomed the proposed zebra crossing which would make journeys to and from school safer.

"We are grateful to the campaigners for their efforts and to Surrey for implementing the proposal," they added.

Chris Tuckett, head of St Martin's Primary, said: "Parking is very limited around St Martin's and we actively encourage our families to walk to and from school.

"However, the current arrangements are not adequate for crossing the road at Chalkpit Lane.

"Pupil surveys reveal that even more children would like to walk to school and we feel that the crossing would be hugely advantageous in convincing more of our families that it is safe to do so."

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