Redhill one-way system could be scrapped to reduce traffic
PLANS to scrap Redhill's one-way system are being drawn up as part of a council scheme to rid the town of its congestion headache.
Hundreds of extra vehicles will converge on Redhill when Sainsbury's triples in size and a new hotel, car park, flats and possibly an Asda supermarket become the centrepieces of the redeveloped town centre.
In a bid to cope with the developments, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has commissioned engineers to conduct a transport study.
Cromwell Road and the A25 between Cromwell Road and the Lombard roundabout – currently one-way streets – could revert to two-way traffic for the first time in more than 25 years.
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Redhill West ward councillor Natalie Bramhall, the portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "We know there is a problem.
" The problem is the bottleneck at the Lombard roundabout – everybody knows that.
"Things are being considered as options and we have engaged consultants to look at these things for us."
She declined to comment further, saying the plans were confidential.
Julian Ellacott, who also represents Redhill West, said solving transport issues was "vital" to Redhill.
He added: "We know it needs to be something we get right, which is why a lot of work has been put into it – but it is not easy."
He said Asda, which has yet to submit all the paperwork for a planning application initially lodged in October, had been included in all traffic modelling.
The Belfry shopping centre's customer and trade entrances are both on the one-way Cromwell Road. Manager Andy Nash said: "It is a big idea which is very interesting and could work for us, but we need to look at the detail.
"It could certainly help us with customers coming in from the Reigate direction, and anything that removes people from the roads system has to be good.
"We are keen to see the regeneration of Redhill and there is a lot of exciting stuff planned.
"Nobody is ignoring the fact that there is an issue there to address and if it can be done properly, with joined-up thinking with all the developments that are happening, then all well and good."
But Paul Sanderson, business development manager at Redhill-based Roadrunners taxi firm, said the town needs more one-way restrictions – not less.
He added: "Traffic in Redhill is always a concern. The station roundabout is a massive problem and that is two-way. The one-way bit is the only bit that actually does flow, so I'm not sure it would be workable."
The council commissioned the transport study as part of its work on the core strategy and Redhill Town Centre Area Action Plan.
A spokesman said: "It is to help us understand the transport implications of future changes and developments and identify potential solutions – both borough-wide and for Redhill.
"This stage of the study is expected to be finalised by mid-May and we will consult on the initial scheme proposals shortly thereafter. The more detailed design work and feasibility studies have yet to take place."
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