Horley residents launch petition against country lane being widened for buses (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Horley residents launch petition against country lane being widened for buses

3:33pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Local News

Scores of residents in Horley have backed a petition calling on Surrey County Council to abandon proposals to widen a rural lane for buses to use.

More than 130 people in the town's Langshott area have signed the petition against plans put forward to widen Langshott Lane.

The council has said a bus service to the new Acres estate and its hundreds of new homes using Langshott Lane is part of the planning permission for the site.

But local residents have attacked the bus plan, saying they do not want to lose more hedgerow and wildlife habitat through the lane widening, as well as see buses being sent down a lane used by walkers and horse riders.

Roger Stevens of Langshott Cottages called the scheme “a recipe for disaster.”

Mr Stevens said they understood the Metrobus route 20 that is planned, would be driven further on from its current terminus at Orchard Drive to cross The Acres and emerge by Tanyard Farm onto Langshott, and then return to Wheatfield Way.

But he continued: “My concern that is that since all the people have moved onto The Acres, they have quite understandably enjoyed walking in the surrounding area - Langshott. “I noticed particularly last summer that there were considerable numbers of families with young children and dogs doing this.”

He said: “Now the number of cars and delivery vehicles travelling to and from the Langshott Hotel has seemed to increase too, with obvious dangers. “This once quiet lane has seen some near misses recently. “The idea of routing a bus back down here will cause even more problems.”

He said: “This all seems to be a recipe for disaster, apart from the destruction of our once quiet ‘country lane.’ “There seems to be a reluctance to change plans to a more sensible solution - have the bus turn around and return out of The Acres the way it came.”

Fellow resident Michael Burgess said: “ We have a petition which at the moment is 130 strong and still growing, reflecting the depth of feeling here as to the destruction of the last piece of lane which is used by the local residents for dog walking, parents taking their children for walks, cyclists, horse riders and people just enjoying a peaceful walk in a country lane. “We do not want a bus down this lane. We feel an alternative route must be found.”

He said no space had been allocated in the proposals for the bus to turn and leave the estate via its Orchard Way entrance route.

A Surrey County Council spokeswoman said: "The provision of a bus service through the new development and onto Langshott Lane is part of the planning permission for the site.”

She said: “It will service the 710 new homes, including a 60 unit extra care housing scheme for older people and a new school. “It is intended to encourage a move away from private car use and to provide transport for those without access to a car.”

She added: "We are looking at various options to facilitate the bus service, which may include some works on Langshott Lane. “We are aware local residents have some concerns about the plans, and these will be taken into account as part of the decision process."