Delivering change in Horley town centre

The High Street

Pedestrianisation and one way options for the High Street

The initial public engagement in early 2022 identified that the pedestrianisation of the High Street was supported by many stakeholders, however, this option was dismissed by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council as it would cause significant impact on the surrounding road traffic and limit access to the town centre by servicing and emergency vehicles.

The one-way option being taken forward will create an attractive, greener and safer High Street that also reduces the dominance of the car and provides more space for people to enjoy. The High Street will also include a dedicated cycle lane (National Cycle Route 21) for cyclists travelling towards the precinct (against traffic).

Accessibility

The proposed one-way system from Albert Road along to Lumley Road will create a safer space for pedestrians and cyclists. The removal of parking from the High Street will allow wider pavements on each side of the road, create more space for seating to encourage people to stay awhile and allow generous space for clear movement by people with mobility difficulties, wheelchair users and people with buggies.

Proposals include various new crossing points that will provide level access across the road. We are working closely with Surrey County Council as the local highways' authority, Sustrans (walking, wheeling and cycling charity) and the local Access Group to ensure that the proposed changes meet the best practise and are in line with local and wider government requirements.

Car parking and disabled bays

There are several car parks within a few minutes of the High Street. By removing the on-street parking we will be asking people to park a minute or two away from the shops, although there will be spaces for blue badge holders to use.

The intention is to retain the disabled bays as close as possible to the High Street - one by the junction with Albert Road (in a similar location to where they are now) and another close to the junction with Lumley Road. We are also looking to see if is possible to introduce another disabled bay on Lumley Road. The separation of the disabled bays will offer the opportunity for disabled residents to park closer to each end of the High Street and reduce potential walking distances.

Disabled badge users are also able to park in the Central Car Park, free of charge, in any bay (not just in disabled bays).

Cycle way and cycle parking

Details of the cycle route, crossings, road kerbs, tactile paving, paving edges and textures have been consulted on and agreed with Surrey County Council highways team, Sustrans and the local Access Group.

The proposals will include cycle parking along the High Street and in the Precinct, although we don’t think this location is appropriate to provide secure cycle storage. As part of this project we will investigate with partners (Surrey County Council, Network Rail, Waitrose) how and where secure cycle parking could be implemented.

High Street businesses

All High Street businesses requiring access to their units via the High Street will need to use either the existing loading bay at the corner of Albert Road or use the new loading bay proposed on the High Street. Vehicles will no longer be able to stop on the High Street outside the two loading bays. The local authorities (RBBC and SCC) will work with businesses to introduce a management system for the loading bays to coordinate use.

Except the disabled parking bays, all parking will be removed from the High Street. Staff will be able to use the public car parks located close to the High Street, the closest being Central Car Park and the High Street Car Park.

We will look to maintain services and minimise disruption to residents and businesses as much as possible whilst the programme is being implemented. When we have confirmed timeframes and fully understand any potential disruption to residents and businesses, we will communicate this to local stakeholders via our existing communication channels in good time to enable any alternative arrangements to be put in place.

Parking enforcement

We are working closely with Surrey County Council as the local highways' authority to provide a higher level of enforcement and guidance to the local community so the new High Street is not abused and can support the largest number of residents and users it can. Surrey County Council will be taking over responsibility for on-street parking enforcement from boroughs and districts across the county from 1 April 2023.

Requests for better high street shops - cards shops, clothes shops, wine bar, gift shops, book shops…

The Council does not own the commercial properties on the High Street or control who occupies them or the level of rent or business rates. However we hope these improvements will create an attractive, vibrant town centre, making it more attractive to operators.

We have a number of initiatives to support local business and encourage a vibrant local economy. More information on the council support available can be found on the How we can support your business.

The Precinct

The High Street public realm improvements present an opportunity for the local authorities (RBBC and SCC) to further invest in the Precinct. By doing so, we can replace some of the seating that has been damaged by vehicles and coordinate the designs with those being installed on the High Street. We can also introduce more greening and small trees.

The subway

Access, the ramp and new steps

We are looking to open up the subway entrance to allow more light in and improve the ambience of the subway, and potentially introduce low level steps that lead up to the High Street, opposite Café Fifty Four, in addition to the existing ramped access. The gradient of the ramp will have to remain the same, but we are looking at how we can improve the accessibility of the subway by introducing better lighting, non-slip surfaces, resting points and handrails. The subway will therefore remain accessible, and will hopefully be even more so, to all pedestrians, including those with pushchairs, people with disabilities and cyclists.   

The subway is currently used by both cyclists and pedestrians. Due to the narrow width, it is not safe for pedestrians to use the subway if cyclists remain on their bikes. This is why there is signage to ask cyclists to dismount. The subway is currently a major route for pedestrians (school children and parents) accessing Oakwood School and the conflict with cyclists will need to be managed.

Subway drainage

Regarding drainage, the Council has been in consultation with Network Rail to try to sort out the recurrent flooding of the subway. Progress has been made with a new drainage system planned by the Council and to be installed by Network Rail in spring 2023.  This will include new pumping systems and new drainage gullies and new connection to the sewer.

Future refurbishment of the subway will be carried out as a second phase of the works, at a later stage.

Central Car Park enhancements

Electrical charging points, pedestrian paths and planting

Initial project proposals included the installation of pay-on-exit car parking in Central Car Park and Victoria Road Car Park. However, the current focus is on delivering measures that generate similar benefits to pay-on-exit parking, especially when considered alongside RingGo, which enables users to extend parking sessions via mobile devices without needing to return to their vehicles.

Proposed enhancements include demarcation of pedestrian routes, and introducing planting, large bays (for families or large vehicles) and electrical charging points (in four parking bays).