Residents angry at traffic light upgrade diversion

Residents in a Surrey village are "up in arms" and concerned for the safety of their children over temporary roadworks to replace a set of traffic lights.

Surrey Highways has been upgrading the lights on the A30 at the junction with Yaverland Drive, in Bagshot.

The Bagshot Matters residents' association said the diversion now in place until 30 June was dangerous and would cause congestion.

Surrey County Council (SCC) said the diversion route would still allow traffic to flow along the A30 and thanked residents for their patience while the "essential work" was carried out.

A one-way system has been put in place from the entrance of Yaverland Drive around to Church Road.

Yaverland Drive can only be accessed by northbound traffic and there is no right-turn entry for southbound traffic.

The road should be followed around to Church Road to join the northbound carriageway of the A30.

Chris Hamilton, founder of Bagshot Matters, said: "All our members are up in arms, they're distressed because they didn't receive notification.

"Of 1,011 members, only 13 report having seen a letter that Surrey County Council claims to have issued about a week ago.

"Three weeks is a long time, especially for people taking their children to and from school, people trying to get to work, people expecting deliveries, and for the church which may have funerals during the course of this."

Mary Wilson, a resident and local Scout leader, said: "My concern is the safety of the children being dropped off and collected for Scouts and other youth clubs.

"With the extra traffic coming up and down these roads it could cause problems with the children coming in and out of their meeting places."

She said she was also worried about pets and children playing outside during periods of increased traffic.

Councillor Matt Furniss, cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth at SCC, said the works were part of a £300m project to improve the county's roads and pavements.

"Local residents received a letter outlining the works and diversion routes at the end of May," he said.

"New, clearer advanced warning signs are also now in situ and we are reminding residents and others travelling in the area via our Surrey Highways social media channels.

"We thank residents for their patience while we carry out these essential works and apologise for any inconvenience caused."

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