As of August 2025, no single party holds a majority on Surrey County Council. It was previously under Conservative majority control from 1997 until by-elections in 2025, when the Lib Dems and Reform UK gained seats, removing the Tory majority but still leading a minority administration.
The May 2025 elections were cancelled owing to the impending abolition, leaving existing councillors in office without elections for an extra two years.
The resulting electoral mess is also proving that there’s no overall control in the county’s traffic management. Proposals for Godstone Road (A22) that lead from the top end of the Brighton/Gatwick motorway (M23) into south Croydon are set to be more of the same failure.
Due to increased traffic – that over the years has been unplanned for – Surry now claims to have a plan to sort out the nose to tail congestion: making the current 40 mph speed limit 30 mph, thereby increasing congestion, journey times, and fumes. Despite there being ample wide areas along one side of the road to allow for capacity expansion.
This “no overall control” council blames an “increase in the number of homes in the area”. So it can hardly be said that it’s been taken by surprise that traffic has increased. In addition to the number of vehicle movements expected by national forecasts.
Proposals reduce the speed limit from 40 to 30 mph between Whytleafe South railway station and the Wapses Lodge roundabout. And a re-design of the layout of the central reservation opposite the junction of Well Farm Road to prevent vehicles exiting Well Farm Road and crossing over Godstone Road in order to turn right towards Whyteleafe. Whether they want to or not.
“A speed limit of 30mph will provide a much safer environment for residents and visitors to the area.; slower speeds will reduce the risk and severity of collisions and will also make using these roads safer and more pleasant. And bring the road more in line with speed limits on adjacent local roads and reduce the number of changes to the speed limit across short distances,” the council waffles on in full motorist-blame mode.
There is no instance – anywhere in UK – where reducing a speed limit has produced less congestion. The Tories – who should know better — have quite forgotten the road’s primary role is not that of a residential local road, but that of a key arterial route into south east London – an ‘A’ road.
ENDS
Picture courtesy of Google Maps.
Author Richard Town is a former GLC councillor and metropolitan police driver. He writes here on behalf of The Alliance of British Drivers (ABD).
For all media enquiries, contact Paul Naylor on 07914 304 504 or email paul@mediaandyou.co.uk
Notes: Founded in 1992, the Alliance of British Drivers (ABD) is the leading organisation promoting the interests and concerns of drivers in the United Kingdom.
The UK has over 37 million drivers – that is a majority; we should stop tolerating the way we are treated by the government and local councils.
Cars, vans and taxis account for 80% of the mileage of all trips in the UK, and over 65% of goods being carried by road. The road network, and the people who use it, are of vital importance to the nation’s economy. Drivers should expect the road network to be improved and maintained to a standard that is fit for purpose. They should be able to use the roads in a safe and responsible manner without being subject to unreasonable charges, restrictions or penalties.
