Each morning and afternoon, families walk from Grovelands Recreation Ground towards Hurst Park Primary School. A high proportion of pupils walk, cycle or scoot to school, reflecting the school’s strong commitment to active travel.

However, there is currently no safe, designated crossing point linking the Grovelands side of the community directly to the school route.

This bend has already seen a reported road traffic accident in 2024. When a collision has occurred at a location used daily by children, the risk is not theoretical. It is documented.

The nearest formal pedestrian crossings are some distance away, leaving families to cross at informal points on a curved stretch of the road where visibility is reduced and stopping distances increase.

Previous Action and Progress
In 2023, I attended a meeting with fellow parents, Ernest Mallett and Dominic Raab to raise concerns about pedestrian safety around the school.

That engagement led to progress. We successfully secured the new crossing on Hurst Road. That demonstrates that when the community works constructively with representatives, change happens.

However, this section of road near Grovelands Recreation Ground must not now be overlooked. The need remains.

Why This Crossing Is Still Needed:
• Children are crossing on a bend with reduced sight lines
• Traffic speeds remain a concern
• A 2024 accident has already occurred at this location
• The nearby bus stop would also benefit from safer pedestrian access

A formal crossing would not only protect pupils, it would naturally slow traffic along this road. Drivers reduce speed when approaching controlled crossings and traffic calming features. Even modest reductions in speed significantly reduce collision severity.

Slower roads are safer roads.

The Proposal
We are asking Surrey Highways and the Council to:

• Allocate budget for a formal pedestrian crossing linking Grovelands Recreation Ground to the school route
• Introduce appropriate traffic calming measures on this bend
• Begin feasibility and design work so the project can move forward

The Hurst Road crossing shows what is possible. Now we need to continue that momentum.

The Outcome
A crossing here would:

• Protect children walking, cycling and scooting
• Reduce vehicle speeds at a known risk point
• Improve safety for bus users
• Strengthen active travel routes
• Create a calmer, safer environment for West Molesey

This is about prevention, not reaction.

We have already shown that collaboration delivers results. Now we need to ensure this road is not forgotten and that the council commits to budgeting and progressing this crossing without delay.

Let’s keep the momentum going and make this stretch safe for children to cross.