The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth Decisions meeting on Tuesday 28 July 2026 addressed concerns regarding traffic and parking on Grenside Road and considered a petition for pavement widening on Church Street, Staines. A decision was made to extend double yellow lines on Grenside Road to improve safety, while the proposal for planters was deferred. The petition for pavement widening on Church Street was noted, with the council stating no plans to proceed with the widening due to potential traffic flow issues.

Grenside Road Traffic and Parking Concerns

A petition concerning the severe traffic and parking crisis on Grenside Road¹ was discussed. Martin Groves, representing the petitioners, highlighted issues such as vehicles parking on pavements, blocking access, and creating safety hazards, particularly for school children and vulnerable pedestrians. He proposed solutions including the installation of planters to create a physical barrier and a greener environment. Councillor Tim Oliver, the division councillor, supported the need for improved sightlines and suggested extending double yellow lines. Ricky Hill was also in attendance to support the discussion.

Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, Councillor Matt Furniss, acknowledged the concerns and stated that the council would look to extend the double yellow lines on Grenside Road. The proposal for planters was deferred for further consideration regarding space and funding. The council also noted that they are awaiting new government powers to enforce against pavement parking, which is currently not covered by existing legislation. The existing double yellow lines on the eastern side of Grenside Road were to be refreshed, and a gap in these lines on the northern side of Grotto Road was to be filled.

Church Street, Staines Pavement Widening

A petition requesting the widening of the pavement at the junction of Church Street and Vicarage Road in Staines was also considered. The petition, which received 157 signatures, highlighted that the pavement outside The Bells public house is as narrow as 0.7 metres, posing difficulties for disabled and elderly users, as well as those with pushchairs and wheelchairs. It was also suggested that widening the pavement and narrowing the road could help reduce traffic speeds.

Councillor Furniss responded that while the narrowness of the pavement was acknowledged, the council has no plans to widen it. A feasibility study would be required, and potential issues such as making the road one-way, which could paradoxically increase speeds, and difficulties for larger vehicles turning were cited. Survey results indicated that traffic speeds at the junction were compliant with the 20mph speed limit, with an average mean speed of 15.02 mph for eastbound traffic and 15.99 mph for westbound traffic. The council noted that the pavement on the north side of Church Street is significantly wider and can be used as an alternative. Further comments from the Staines Village Residence Traders Association would be responded to in due course.

Member's Question Regarding Bus Gates

A question was raised by Councillor Catherine Baart concerning the effectiveness and repair times of bus gates, specifically mentioning issues at The Acres in Horley and Redhill town centre. The response from Councillor Furniss explained that Surrey County Council has a contract with Yunex Traffic for the maintenance of Intelligent Transport Systems, including rising bollards. An administrative oversight had led to a delay in a new subcontract being put in place with ATG, the system supplier. The fault affecting the bollard in The Acres was reported on 7 July 2026, and ATG was scheduled to attend on 28 July 2026 to investigate and undertake remedial work. The response also detailed that rising bollard systems can enter a fail-safe mode, requiring a site visit for resetting, and that this is a necessary safety feature.