Beacon Hill residents have overwhelmingly backed 20mph speed limits in a survey organised by local councillors. Of 338 responses, 74 per cent supported a 20mph zone on Beacon Hill Road and Clovelly Road, 62 per cent backed a 20mph limit on Wood Road, and 59 per cent supported a similar limit on Tilford Road through the village centre.

Julian Spence, a Waverley Councillor, said: “The high response rate shows how much villagers care about road safety. The Beacon Hill community has clearly expressed a desire for reduced limits, particularly around the school and local shops. We will now work with Surrey County Council to implement their wishes.”

The survey closed on February 28, with 221 (65 per cent) responses online and 117 (35 per cent) on paper. More than 90 per cent of responses came from local residents. Collection points included Simply Fresh, The Royal British Legion, The United Reformed Church, St Albans Church and Beacon Hill Infants School.

Supporters of 20mph limits cited concerns about pedestrian safety, particularly around schools and busy crossings, and the desire to make the village more walkable. Many noted that speeding cars posed a danger to children and elderly residents. Calls for better enforcement and additional traffic calming measures were common.

There were 107 comments suggesting wider changes, including 64 calls to reduce the A287 limit and install a crossing near the bus stop. Some argued 20mph limits were unnecessary or ineffective, but the majority favoured reduced speeds to improve safety and reduce noise. Enforcement remains a key concern for many of those who participated in the survey.

The question is, do 20mph speed limits save lives? A dramatic reduction in road casualties in Wales has been attributed to the introduction of blanket 20mph speed limits by Welsh Labour in September 2023, suggesting that such measures can have a marked improvement in road safety.