Back to list M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange improvement

Representation by Fiona Towson

Date submitted
16 August 2019
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. Safety Severe traffic congestion on the Painshill roundabout, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours, already presents a significant safety risk to Painshill residents driving in and out of the estate through the main gates which open onto the roundabout. The current proposal for the Access Road will make that problem far worse due to the increased volume of traffic using the roundabout resulting from the widening of the A3 and the construction of the Access Road near to the roundabout, plus the fact that nothing is being done to substantially reduce the build up of traffic backing onto the roundabout from the A245 Seven Hills Road. 2. Security The Access Road would render redundant all security systems operated by day and night across Painshill Park and Painshill Estate leading to uncontrolled access by vehicles and pedestrians. Security is already a concern for the Park and Estate with recent incidents involving groups of Travellers who set up camp within the Park. The current proposal would further compromise the Park's chargeable entry policy causing a loss of revenue. 3. Pollution The increased volume of traffic associated with the A3 widening and the Access Road is expected to increase further the high levels of air pollution and noise pollution experienced by residents some of whom are elderly or have health problems, particularly during the two year construction phase. 4. Heritage, Conservation and the Environment Painshill Park and Painshill Estate have unique landscapes and buildings of considerable historical, architectural and environmental importance. The widening of the A3 and current proposals for the Access Road would damage Grade 1 listed fields and Grade 2 listed houses closest to the A3. It would also damage the local eco- system which is home to a diverse variety of wildlife including bats, badgers, dormice, deer, adders and bees. 5. Human Rights of Residents The right to a family/private life and enjoyment of property enshrined in European legislation is relevant in this context. We believe that the current proposals would violate the rights of approximately 30 people who live on the Painshill Estate. It also appears that in the consultation process to date the rights of Painshill residents have been assigned a much lower priority than those of non-residents. 6. Impact on Property Values The current proposals will lead to substantial compensation claims by the 12 households on the Painshill Estate for the "blight" caused by the construction work including loss of market value of the properties. 7. Better Options Exist We believe that better options exist that avoid the problems highlighted above. For example, siting the Access Road further past the Gothic Tower towards Pointers Road.