Toshiba Roundabout, Frimley: Lost Opportunity? (Surrey Heath Liberal Democrats

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Toshiba Roundabout, Frimley: Lost Opportunity?

August 1, 2004 11:28 AM

Liberal Democrats have criticised County Council plans for the Toshiba Roundabout in Frimley as "unimaginative, restricted in scope and too late - a wasted opportunity".

For three days in May, an exhibition was held in the Catholic Church in Portsmouth Road, Frimley of options for traffic and road improvements centred on the Toshiba Roundabout. Four costed options were presented, which had already been considered by a small consultative group consisting of "representatives and interested individuals"¨. One of the options had been ruled out at this stage. The County Council¡¦s preference was for the option of least scope and cheapest cost. Even then, it was not to be implemented for at least another two years.

Cllr Bob Smith at the Toshiba Roundabout crossing

Cllr Bob Smith at the heavily-used pedestrian crossing near the Toshiba Roundabout

Parkside Lib Dem Councillor Bob Smith said: " Any restructuring of the Toshiba Roundabout is going to bring major disruption, and it is important that the scheme addresses all the issues. This study:

- Has not adequately considered segregated cycle paths and Safe Routes to School concerns

- Has not addressed any issues of congestion resulting from the Hospital, nor proposed any joint scheme with the Hospital for their improvement

- Has misinterpreted evidence of "rat running" through the High Street.

I should like to see this opportunity taken to join up the cycle paths and connect them safely to a path down the Frimley Road to Kings International by means of an underpass. I'd also like to see the problem of lorries and other Frimley Green traffic on its way to the motorway junction addressed. This traffic is currently funnelled into Frimley High Street."

Lib Dem Campaigner on County Council issues, Tony Cowell said: "We call on the County Council to rethink these proposals as a matter of urgency, to hold joint discussions with the Hospital on traffic flow improvements and to allow the local community a wider and longer consultation on their conclusions. This consultation could easily be done by hosting plans on the County Council's website, as well as in Frimley at sites such as in Waitrose's or on the public notice board on The Parade."