The traffic lights at the top of Anchor Hill were switched on today. The point of the whole operation is to provide an all-green phase for pedestrians. A green phase which,  unfortunately, is not working.

I’m sure it will be made to work, but probably not until next Tuesday. I do not know what the reason for this problem is, but on recent evidence I suspect many people in Knaphill will think it typical of the way Surrey manages our roads.

I feel a great deal of sympathy for Woking’s Local Transport Team, whose knowledge of local roads and concern to keep them running well seems to me all too often let down by the organisational structures they have to work with, often depending on a chain of contractors and sub-contractors.

Once the lights are working properly in terms of providing the all green phase for pedestrians, I hope we will find that the restored sensors in the roads will still allow traffic through in the most efficient way. If there are specific problems with this, it will be worth noting them, then letting me know and/or contacting Surrey County Council directly either through their website (www.surreycc.gov.uk ) or on 08456 009009, asking for the information to be given to the Local HIghways Manager at Woking. I am told it should be possible to ‘tweak’ the settings.