Wonersh – Proposed 20 mph Zone through our village
Benefits include: Much better chance of a pedestrian crossing in Wonersh without the cost and negative impact of street lighting; fewer and less severe road collisions; half the perceived noise, improving mental health; Reduced traffic congestion and increased fuel-efficiency
Published: 19 October 2026
For many years the Parish Council has been pressing Surrey Highways to consider 20 mph through Wonersh Village. For decades the Parish Council has also been seeking safe pedestrian crossing points, such as mid carriage way refuge islands. Having seen schemes such as these improve safety, reduce pollutions and make villages more accessible for pedestrians in neighbouring villages, including Shamley Green and Blackheath through rural roads rural speed limit review, we have welcomed the recent local support.
We are pleased that our Surrey County Councillor (Kevin Deanus) with the support of our Borough Councillors (Jane Austin and Michael Goodridge), has worked with Surrey Officers to progress improvement for Wonersh. Surrey Highways has now designed and will consult on a 20 mph zone through Wonersh Village, including the remainder of Blackheath Lane not included in the rural review, and connecting along The Street to Station Road, Bramley. We anticipate all side roads to be included.
Speed detectors were placed in December 2025 demonstrating average speeds along the main B2128 were in excess of 30 mph except past the Pepperpot. At the 85th percentile (the speed that 85% of vehicles travel i.e. 15% exceed this) speeds in both
directions were up to 40 mph.
Design is underway and we expect to know details soon. Surrey County Council will be formally consult on the proposals and currently indicate this will be during 2026. Implementation timing is unclear and it is hoped the new West Surrey Unitary Council will not delay construction.
There is much debate on 20 mph and we appreciate that some people and commuters dislike them. The Q&A below sets out some of the issues.
We would highlight one key aspect for Wonersh; Surrey Highway guidelines will not allow mid carriage way pedestrian refuges or table crossings at the current 30 mph WITHOUT street lighting, which would be prohibitive cost wise and unpopular – whereas at 20 mph no street lighting is required.
You might spot some of our posters highlighting the key benefits around Wonersh. We have attached some in case you would like to pop these up in your windows to highlight how your household would like a friendlier, safer village.
Questions and Answers
1. What are the benefits of 20 mph?
The national organisation “20s Plenty” has gathered the evidence and impact of driving at 20 mph compared to 30 mph
Advantages of a 20mph zone through Wonersh
| Advantage | Relevance to Wonersh |
| Improved road safety | Lower speeds reduce both the likelihood of collisions and, importantly, the severity of injuries when collisions occur. This is particularly relevant where pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles share relatively constrained village roads. |
| Greater protection for pedestrians | A 20mph environment gives drivers more time to react to people crossing or entering the road. This can be particularly valuable around the village centre and areas with pedestrian activity. |
| Encourages walking and cycling |
Lower traffic speeds can make residents feel more comfortable walking or cycling, potentially reducing short car journeys and improving access to village facilities. Surrey’s own road-safety strategy identifies making walking, wheeling and cycling easier and more pleasant as a benefit of appropriate 20mph schemes. |
| Improves the village environment | Slower traffic can reduce the perceived dominance of vehicles and make the village centre feel more pleasant and less intimidating. |
| Potential reduction in traffic noise |
Lower speeds can reduce traffic noise, particularly where vehicles currently accelerate through the village. Surrey identifies reduced noise and air pollution among the potential benefits of lower speeds |
| Supports a stronger village identity | A lower-speed environment can reinforce Wonersh as a place where people live, walk and spend time, rather than simply a route for through-traffic. |
2. How will this impact access to the shop, St John’s Church, Surgery and Pub?
Lower speeds will facilitate safer crossing points, to better connect the two halves of our village by allowing people to safely cross the road. It will also improve and better connect pedestrian travel between Wonersh and Bramley
3. Where will the zone start and end?
We don’t know yet, but early discussion suggest it will start at the current 30mph entry from the north and extend just past the entrance to Wonersh Park.
4. Which side roads are included?
We anticipate all sides roads being included – Blackheath Lane, Barnett Lane, Grove and Close, Phillips Hatch, New Road, The Street, Wonersh Park.
5. Why is street furniture (tables and cushions) needed?
Surrey Highway guidelines acknowledge that 20 mph is unlikely to be regularly policed/enforced, and hence tables and cushions are installed at key points to naturally slow the traffic
6.Will a 20 mph help deliver safer pedestrian crossing points?
This is possibly the main benefit – at 20 mph we don’t need street lighting, while at 30 mph we do, which is highly expensive and will not be funded and will also have an impact upon dark skies policies, which protect nature and our local environment.
7.Are Tables and Cushions noisy?
As part of a 20 mph zone, traffic naturally slows and Shalford residents say noise isn’t a concern and streets are more liveable
8.Will a 20 mph zone allow safer access to Gerald’s Wood?
It might – depends where the possible table will be located. Surrey CC may consider other options as a separate project later.
9.What criteria is used to assess the consultation feedback?
It is mainly residents and commuters who reply; in Shalford for example we understand most commuters were against and the majority of residents were supportive; Surrey local Councillors then recommend the decision with priority for the local community
10. How much will the works cost?
We don’t know, but understand it could be some £100,000 depending on the final design.
11. What impact might the St John’s Seminary development have?
The Parish Council negotiated with the Developer to help fund road safety improvements; this was included as a part of the S106 agreement within the approved Planning application – this is currently on hold but there are indications that it might commence within the next year.
12. How much would the alternative of Average Speed cameras cost?
We agree Average Speed cameras could be part of the solution and have asked for these a number of times. This was rejected because of installation costs and then follow up maintenance and administrative costs. Whole programme schemes are in the region of £200,000 including installation of a number of cameras and any land purchase requirements. Then the revenue streams from penalties need to cover operation costs, which can include legal and court costs. Only very specific locations across Surrey have these for these reasons.
13. How many accidents have there been?
The police data is based on reported collisions, where a person is injured or killed. In these incidences details or property of vehicle damage is also logged. This means minor incidences are often not logged. Local knowledge includes other incidences, such as:
- Collision with the northern entrance to the village in early August.
- Collision with the Grantley Arms entrance.
- The wooden fence at the bottom of the hill outside Wonersh Park has been hit regularly
- An elderly person was nudged by a car.
