Local petition urges action after reports of persistent speeding
Residents south of Guildford have launched a petition asking Surrey County Council to install average speed cameras on a stretch of Portsmouth Road in response to what they describe as persistent and dangerous speeding. The appeal, started by Godalming-area campaigners, asks for an enforcement zone to run northwards from the Tesco Express in Milford to the junction with Eashing Lane.
The petitioners say motorists "constantly break the speed limit" along the route and have called on the county council to act urgently to protect residents, pedestrians and other road users. At the time of reporting, the public petition had been signed by 44 people.
How average speed cameras work and what is being asked for
Average speed cameras differ from single fixed cameras because they measure how long a vehicle takes to travel between two points, calculating its average speed across the zone. If the vehicle’s average speed exceeds the limit for that section, an offence is recorded.
- Requested zone: from Tesco Express in Milford north to the junction with Eashing Lane.
- Type of measure: average speed camera zone (continuous monitoring across the section).
- Number supporting the petition at time of report: 44 signatures.
"due to dangerous speeding occurring daily which endangers residents, foot traffic and other road users"
The petition highlights not only vehicle speeds but the risk to those walking or cycling along Portsmouth Road, a primary route linking communities to the south of Guildford. Campaigners contend that targeted enforcement — rather than intermittent speed checks — would better deter habitual offenders and reduce risk along the corridor.
Council and police process for speed management
Surrey County Council and Surrey Police jointly manage speed enforcement and road safety interventions across the county. The council’s published approach explains that road safety specialists meet periodically with police colleagues to identify sites requiring attention and to decide the most appropriate interventions.
A Surrey County Council spokesperson told the local reporter that the council will "consider the petition carefully and provide a formal response after it has been submitted." The statement added that the county council, in agreement with Surrey Police, is in the process of implementing more average speed cameras at the f
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Requested enforcement type | Average speed cameras |
| Proposed zone | Tesco Express, Milford to junction with Eashing Lane |
| Signatures reported | 44 |
That the council will formally respond after submission is standard: petitions trigger a review and a reply setting out what steps, if any, will be taken and the likely timescale. Decisions on camera installation depend on a range of factors including collision history, traffic speeds and broader road safety priorities across Surrey’s districts.
What this means for residents
For people who live along Portsmouth Road and for those who use it daily, the petition is a clear attempt to move the issue up the council’s agenda. Average speed zones have been used elsewhere in Surrey to reduce mean speeds and lower the severity and frequency of collisions, but they are resource and time-intensive to plan and install.
Local councillors and community safety groups will usually be consulted during that process, and any decision will have implications for enforcement patterns and how drivers use the route. For now, campaigners are waiting for the council’s formal reply and a determination of whether the stretch of Portsmouth Road will be prioritised for an average speed zone.
Residents concerned about speeding but unsure about signing the petition can contact their local borough councillors or the county council’s road safety team for guidance on how to report incidents and what evidence helps when requesting local enforcement measures.
This story will be updated as the council responds and if plans for new camera installations are announced.
