The proposals will include ‘zig-zag’ markings around the corners of the junction and part-time parking restrictions along sections of Gates Green Road to allow traffic to pass, hopefully tackling the ‘gridlock’ that currently occurs during school opening an closing times.

Draft plans were made available by your local councillors at the Wickham Common Residents Association AGM where initial comments were made and will be passed to the highway engineers.

If the consultation results are favourable then work is planned to be completed in time for the start of the Autumn term.

Despite this, we are aware that the recent harsh winter has taken its toll on the ward’s roads, and that potholes have appeared in many places.

The Council’s road inspectors spent several weekend in March identifying potholes for repair, including a number in Hayes and Coney Hall. As the road surface was still brittle because of cold temperatures, we have continued to see new potholes appearing at a faster rate than in previous years. Cllr Colin Smith, the Councillor responsible for road maintenance, has instructed the contractor to provide extra road maintenance teams to identify where the problems are and clear the backlog of potholes.

In their recent budget, the Council allowed for an additional £250,000 to repair potholes, in addition to extra funds for general environmental improvements.

The plans, which include new surfaces and amended white lining, have been agreed and it is now awaiting insertion into the work programme. Residents will be contacted directly by the Council prior to the start of work, which will also affect the easternmost section of Addington Road.

Improvements to the appearance of the tatty verges has also taken place, with the results becoming more evident as spring and summer progress.

The problem has taken longer to resolve due, in part, to unsuccessful attempts to persuade Thames Water to take responsibility for any repairs, rather than the private owners of the sewer/drain, plus convoluted legal problems.  Formal notices were served on the owners but, in default, the Council has stepped in to actually carry out the works on their behalf.

•    Recent surveys of Hayes Lane revealed it to be the worst road in London for speeding – even though it doesn’t have the worst accident record. Engineers are drawing up plans for tackling the issue – particularly near the Club Gardens junction – prior to submitting a bid for funding.

•    We are also working closely with the traffic engineers to find a solution to the dangerous junction of Bourne Way/Addington Road and Tiepigs Lane/Coney Hill Road. A number of engineering measures are being considered, subject to the necessary finances being in place.

•    The bottom of Station Approach is also being re-examined.