Mary Reid

Just before Easter many of you will remember that there was another nasty accident on the Hook Road, this time north of the Bridge Road roundabout. A car travelling towards Hook hit the central reservation and turned over into the path of a car going in the opposite direction. Three people were injured and the air ambulance was called.

Ian called a meeting yesterday at the site, and we were joined by the Neighbourhood Traffic Engineer, plus representatives of the Police and Transport for London. Hook Road, and its continuation into Leatherhead Road, is the responsibility of Transport for London, under the Mayor of London.

The Police are still investigating the causes of the accident, so we couldn't look at that in any detail, although speed was mentioned. We wanted to know if anything could be done to make that stretch of road safer.

TfL are doing a study of the Bridge Road roundabout and are planning to put in clearer markings so drivers would be guided into the right lane.  You can see the kind of 'spiral markings' they are talking about down at the junction with the M25. This seemed like a good idea.

Even though I'm very familiar with this road, as a driver I still have a moment's confusion as I come off the roundabout and head towards Hook. The curve in the road and the layout of the bus-stop always make me wonder, for a second, whether I am in the correct lane. Clearer markings here would certainly help.

The other idea we discussed was more speed enforcement. The Police occasionally set up speed traps along the Hook Road between the Hook Centre and Hook Junction/Ace of Spades, but haven't used them further south, so we asked if they could occasionally check speeds between Hook Parade and Bridge Road roundabout.

One of those smiley face speed signs would be good as well, and hopefully there can be some new 30 mph road markings.

Update on the Elm Road junction

Following the fatal accident before Christmas, TfL have promised a feasibility study on this junction. We would like pedestrian crossings between the Hook Centre and the Lucky Rover, and across Elm Road.