M25 restriction to become permanent?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Apr 2007

The Highways Agency is looking to continue with the controversial Junction 19 experiment

Despite the congestion caused across the area, the Highways Agency (HA) are refusing to withdraw the restrictions on the spur road leading from the Hunton Bridge roundabout to the M25. The agency continue to proclaim that the scheme has been a 'big success and say that journeys have only increased by six minutes - something that many commuters would dispute!

After requests from LibDem councillors, the cones have been moved 100 metres further along the spur, but the HA have refused to consider stopping the scheme. The HA have now asked the county council to show evidence of any local congestion or extra rat-running.

Unfortunately the Conservative-run county council has undertaken almost no monitoring of the traffic conditions either before or after the trial started and so has no proof of the traffic conditions.

The HA will probably make a final decision in late June. Local councillors are urging residents to maintain the pressure on the Agency, by emailing paul.williams@highways.gsi.gov.uk or phil.killingley@highways.gsi.gov.uk to let them know local views.