The cockerel (Deepdene) roundabout near Dorking is known as a place for recurring accidents and is on the list for improvement.
In April 2023, Surrey County Council were awarded £1.8 million from the Department of Transport’s Safer Roads Fund. The money will mainly be spent on improving a 6 mile stretch of the A25, between Dorking and Reigate.
Their decision is based on a need to improve safety, rather than the condition of the road. The Road Safety Foundation have identified the stretch as high risk, with a significant number of recent accidents and fatalities.
The route is quite popular with motorcyclists and pedal cyclists, adding further risk to what is a major east west route through Surrey.
A Prioritised Approach
Surrey has seen other recent spending on road safety, including a notable amount in 2022. This covered a variety of areas, with an emphasis on taking ahead planned improvements to walking and cycling routes.
The difference with this spend is that decisions were not internal, or entirely human driven. Safety problems were identified through data analysis and use of specialist assessment software called ViDA.
ViDA also helps with assessing the impact on safety of alternatives to be put in place, reflected in decisions made for this spend.
The Plan In place
Part of the work will extend into Dorking and Reigate, including segregated tracks for pedestrians and cyclists. New kerbside elements will offer better protection, some carriageways will be narrowed to reduce speed.
Increased safety will be given priority in changes along the A25 itself:
- Speed limit reductions in Dorking, between the “Cockerel” Roundabout and The Watermill Public House, a location with a high accident rate.
- Improvements at Brockham Lane junction, to reduce the width of the carriageway and lower speed, along with better pedestrian crossing.
- Measures to stop vehicles leaving the road, such as raised carriageways, enhanced line markings and high containment kerbs to restrain vehicles.
- Central white line hatching to separate opposing traffic flows, particularly along 40 mph sections of the road, where the width allows.
Design and engineering planning are scheduled for 2023, with construction taking place from April 2024 and hopefully complete in that financial year.
Why We Like Safe Roads
As a leading Surrey removals company, our vehicles cover thousands of miles in the county every month. We are aware that Surrey is high on the list for traffic accidents and do not wish our staff, or clients to be affected.
We equally need to consider all who live in, or visit Surrey. This applies to everyone using the roads, including those who the data makes clear are especially vulnerable, our children and older residents.
Accident data also shows the prime cause of damage to people, speed. Please allow enough time for journeys and if you see a dangerous, or dilapidated spot on our roads, report this to Surrey County Council.
