Woking and Chertsey Roads Face 40mph Speed Limits Proposal
Where the Speed Limits Could Drop
If you drive the A320 through Woking and Chertsey, the change you notice first may be the number on the sign. Surrey County Council has opened a public consultation on plans to cut the current 50mph limit to 40mph on several stretches linking our two towns. The A320 Guildford Road in Chertsey and the A320 Chertsey Road in Woking are both included, as is C144 Monument Road in Woking. The A320 is one of the main routes between Guildford and Staines, carrying commuters, delivery vans and freight through a corridor that has grown busier as the area has developed. Ottershaw is also in line for a change. The existing 40mph section of Guildford Road that runs through the village would drop to 30mph. These stretches matter because they pass schools, shops, bus stops and the junctions many of us use every day. The proposals do not cover the entire A320, so drivers should check the map on the consultation page before assuming their route is affected. The council’s stated aim is to reduce serious collisions in a part of Surrey where traffic is heavy and where new housing is planned. For residents who cross these roads on foot or on bikes, slower traffic could make a real difference to everyday safety.
Who Will Feel the Impact
Drivers are the most obvious group affected, but the effects will reach further than the steering wheel. Commuters may find journeys take a little longer at peak times, while people living along Monument Road and Guildford Road could see quieter streets and safer crossings. Bus passengers may benefit from fewer serious incidents on routes they depend on, though timetables could shift slightly if services slow down. Local tradespeople will feel the change in their working day. bathroom fitters and kitchen renovation specialists often travel between Woking, Guildford, Chertsey and surrounding villages in a single day, sometimes carrying tiles, units and fittings in vans. Adding a few minutes to each journey can mean fewer jobs completed and tighter quotes for customers. Homeowners planning a bathroom refurbishment or kitchen renovation should also keep this in mind when arranging delivery dates and site visits, since allowing extra travel time can prevent missed appointments. Surrey County Council, as the highway authority, will weigh the responses it receives and decide whether the limits go ahead. The wider road network has already been reshaped by a £43 million improvement scheme, with expanded roundabouts and new traffic lights, so the council is clearly investing in the corridor’s long-term future.
What Residents Should Do Next
The most useful step you can take is to respond to the consultation before it closes on November 27, 2026. You can read the proposals and share your views through the council’s Zencity engagement page, which is linked from the Surrey County Council website. It helps to be specific. Explain whether you drive these roads daily, walk or cycle along them, or live close to a junction you find difficult. Local knowledge of problem spots is often more persuasive than general opinion. If you run a business that relies on the A320 or its side roads, including a trade or service company, consider describing how a lower limit would affect your timings and customers. Keep an eye on what comes next. The council has noted that these changes are intended to work alongside plans for up to 3,000 homes across ten sites in the coming years, as well as upgrades to M25 Junction 11. Future roadworks, new signage and any amended speed limits could all affect daily travel, so it is worth checking local updates regularly. In the meantime, allow a little extra time for journeys along the A320, particularly during busy periods, and stay alert in areas where the road layout has recently changed.
Source: Major roads in Woking set for 40mph limits as council seeks to reduce crashes
