The petition of residents of the constituency of Woking,
Declares that there are serious concerns about the speed and volume of traffic on Old Woking High Street, particularly near St Peter's Church, with cars colliding into horses, and causing extensive damage; further declares that a woman who recently gave birth required medical attention due to the trauma of one such incident, and the family has now been moved into temporary accommodation - this incident has deeply affected the community; notes that there have been four other incidents in the past couple of years, all linked to speeding or loss of control on this same stretch of road; further notes that the combination of heavy traffic and excessive speed poses a persistent danger, yet there are currently no effective measures in place to slow vehicles or manage the flow of traffic.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take immediate action to provide effective measures in place to slow vehicles or manage the flow of traffic in Old Woking.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr Will Forster, Official Report, 14 April 2026; Vol. 783, c. 799.]
[P003184]
Observations from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood): The Government are conscious of the disruption and distress caused to residents by recent incidents on Old Woking high street and recognise the importance of addressing community concerns about traffic speed and volume. My thoughts are with those affected and with the community more broadly.
Any incident of this nature is deeply troubling. While responsibility for investigating individual collisions rests locally, a pattern of incidents on the same stretch of road reinforces the need for careful assessment of traffic conditions, road design and speed management arrangements. That assessment sits with the local traffic authority, and in this case Surrey county council is best placed to consider conditions on Old Woking high street, drawing on its detailed knowledge of the area, traffic flows, collision history and community concerns.
Local traffic authorities have a wide range of tools available to them where people and traffic mix. These include reduced speed limits, traffic-calming features, changes to road layout, improved signage, pedestrian crossings, parking controls and roadside enforcement measures. Authorities are asked to have regard to the Department for Transport’s “Setting local speed limits” guidance when making these decisions, but the final determination rests locally, working with the police who are responsible for enforcement.
While historical collision data can and should inform assessments, the Government are clear that proactive safety measures should not be contingent on a fatal or serious injury occurring. Evidence of near misses, repeat loss-of-control incidents, community anxiety and local risk factors are all valid considerations when authorities decide how best to intervene.
As set out in the Government’s recently published road safety strategy, improving safety on roads such as Old Woking high street requires a system-wide approach. This includes managing vehicle speeds, improving compliance, designing streets that better reflect their function and surrounding land use, and ensuring that the needs of pedestrians, residents and vulnerable road users are fully taken into account.
The strategy also reinforces that road safety is a shared responsibility between central Government, local authorities, the police, industry and communities. Central Government provide the legislative framework, guidance and funding, while local authorities are empowered to design and deliver place-specific solutions based on local conditions and priorities.
I would therefore strongly encourage continued engagement between residents, local councillors, Surrey county council and Surrey police to ensure that the concerns raised through this petition are fully considered and that appropriate measures are assessed and, where necessary, taken forward. The Department will continue to support local authorities through updated guidance, data-led approaches and the wider implementation of the road safety strategy to help ensure roads are safer for everyone.
I would be happy to meet the Member to discuss the case he raises further, and thank him for raising this important issue.