Traffic Chaos in Burpham

Unless common sense prevails, Burpham looks set to become the centre of unimaginable traffic chaos in the new year.

SCC are proposing to carry out roadworks along the A3100 that will involve:

• Installing one-way segregated cycle paths on both sides of London Road
• Upgrading the existing roundabouts to provide safer crossings for cyclists and pedestrians
• New crossing points
• Improvements to existing junctions
• Upgrading bus stops.

The work involves the stretch of road from the Boxgrove roundabout to the New Inn Lane roundabout. The northbound stretch (travelling towards Burpham) will be closed to all traffic; access will be via the southbound road only. Working times will be Monday to Friday 0700h to 1900h, Saturday 0800h to 1600h. In addition there will be some night working on unspecified dates leading to closures of London Road, Woodruff Avenue, Weylea Avenue, Burpham Lane and New Inn Lane.

This means that all north bound traffic heading to Burpham, the north bound A3 slip road and Clay Lane will have a three mile detour via Boxgrove Road and the Epsom Road to Merrow, then down Park Lane and New Inn Lane.

Has anyone at County Hall thought this one through? If this work goes ahead Burpham is facing months of chaos that will affect not just our residents but all the many other people who use the A3100. At worst, Boxgrove, Merrow and Burpham could end up completely gridlocked thus contributing even more to the already high levels of pollution. Has any thought been given to the effect on the local economy? Burpham has two supermarkets, a parade of local shops and restaurants, and a pub. They will all suffer loss of revenue. The north bound A3100 gives access to George Abbot school; that should lead to an interesting school run via Merrow, already choked with the St. Peter’s traffic, plus three primary schools. And what about emergency vehicles, an all too common sight along that stretch of road?

The BCA wrote to SCC to outline our concerns. They include those noted above, as well as the reported reduction of vehicular lane width to 3 metres, the appalling lack of proper consultation – surely a prerequisite before such an undertaking – and the short notice given. We asked for a postponement to allow for proper consultation and a less disruptive solution.

It is clear from social media comment that many others share our concerns. This may have prompted an announcement on 2nd December that the work, originally planned for two stages from January to August, will now finish at the end of May. A drop-in session was arranged on 17th December “for residents to find out more, see the plans and raise any questions.” Will anyone be listening?

Other News

Defibrillator

The second defibrillator has now been installed at Sutherland Memorial Hall. We hope to run some training courses in the near future so if you are interested please contact the BCA.

Sutherland Memorial Hall

The BCA and other local groups including the Burpham Neighbourhood Forum, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Burpham Wellbeing and the sports clubs have joined together to work with GBC to try find a way to manage the Hall for the community so that full use can be made of this amenity.

Winter Talks

Here is the programme for the popular Friday evening January talks. They will be held in the Village Hall from 8pm to 9pm – and they’re free!

Friday 6th Jan
Medieval Sex and Marriage
Historically, marriage has been an awkward matter. Why were panels of women assembled to assess the virility of a husband? And just how celibate were the priests who married them? Brian Creese will answer these questions and more…

Friday 13 Jan
The pyramids of Britain
It is a curious fact that Britain has more pyramids than Egypt. Andrew Plumridge will explain why and how the Egyptian style was used in the design of country houses, early cinemas and storm water pumping stations along the Thames.

Friday 20 Jan
Surnames
Henry Spyvee will explain the historical roots of surnames and entertain us by explaining some of our own! Please submit your surname if you’d like him to cover it.

Friday 27 Jan
Burpham’s Arts and Crafts Housing
Niels Laub will introduce us to Claude Burlingham who masterminded the exquisite houses in Abbotswood and many more in central Burpham. He asks if we could be doing more to protect our fabulous architectural heritage…

Friday 3 Feb
Around the world in 80 churches
From the ornamental mosques of Europe to the mountain top monasteries in Nepal and remarkable cathedrals of Iceland, Andrew Plumridge will take us on a tour of 80 of the World’s most spectacular churches.