Frustrated residents fed-up with traffic taking a shortcut through their historic village have launched a consultation in a bid to introduce a one-way system.
The Ewell Village Residents’ Association (RA) aims to tackle the "air pollution, heavy traffic and unpleasant environment" created by through traffic in Ewell Village, which it says has congested the village’s High Street for many years.
Brian Angus, the RA’s chairman, said that, due to high air pollution levels, Ewell Village was identified as an Air Quality Action Area in 2009.
He said a report on the problem was approved by Epsom Council in 2010 and forwarded to Surrey County Council, the highways authority, but nothing has been done since.
The RA is now asking people for their views on two main proposals.
Firstly, to make the length of the High Street, between the junction of West Street / Church Street and Spring Street, one-way in a northerly direction.
Through traffic flowing along Chessington Road will have to turn left into London Road when it reaches The Spring pub and carry onto the Ewell Bypass. If it fails to turn left, it will have to turn right into Spring Street and do a circuit of Bourne Hall.
Secondly, to make the length of Church Street, from the High Street to Glyn Close, one-way in a northerly direction.
Buses and cyclists would be unaffected by any changes.
While the proposals would stop traffic travelling south via Ewell Village, short journeys for residents living in West Street, for example, may be made longer.
Mr Angus said: "It’s very difficult to make any improvements to the traffic system in the village without having an adverse effect on somebody.
"We have examined all possible solutions and feel this one promises the greatest reward at the least disadvantage."
Ewell councillor Clive Woodbridge said the RA’s proposals have already triggered debate among residents.
To respond to the proposals email Mr Angus on bangus@tiscali.co.uk
What do you think of the options? Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on the newsdesk on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk
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