Stalled A320 works: local families and businesses deserve better
Getting around our part of Surrey is becoming painfully difficult. The A320 upgrades should ease congestion in the long term, but for now many local roads are at a standstill, with no end in sight.
Holloway Hill and Hardwick Lane closed in April for what was meant to be around six months. Surrey County Council has now extended the closure until an unspecified date in 2027. Drivers face multiple closures and temporary traffic lights, and the school run, always stressful, is now longer and harder. That is not acceptable.
Meanwhile, work at the Ottershaw roundabout stopped in the spring after contractors mistakenly cleared an area of woodland that the approved plans said should be kept, as well as endangering further trees. There has been no activity at the site for months and no confirmed date for work to restart.
Longcross, Lyne and Chertsey South councillor Don Whyte said that “When major disruption has been happening so frequently for so many years, the problem is with the political leadership for failing to get a grip on it."
His fellow ward councillor, Sylvia Whyte, is worried about local firms:
"I really feel for the local businesses, especially the Farm Shop and Squire's Garden Centre in Lyne, who have struggled along all summer, and now they have to get through the Christmas period with very little trade. It's not just that people are going elsewhere. It's also a struggle to persuade hauliers to go through the diversion to deliver goods."
Businesses on the route remain open as usual, so please support them if you can while the diversions are in place.
What we would do differently
Our West Surrey manifesto commits to stronger accountability and transparency in highways maintenance, including holding contractors to clear and visible performance standards. It also puts more emphasis on prevention as well as repair, and on getting work right first time. Read the full West Surrey Manifesto 2026.
Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Runnymede and Weybridge, Chelsea Whyte, said: "At the election, we committed to putting in place greater accountability and transparency when it comes to highway maintenance, including by holding contractors to clear and visible performance standards. When the Lib Dems take over control of West Surrey Council in April next year, that is what we will do."
Keeping up with the works
For the latest official information, visit the Surrey County Council A320 project page. If you require further information please drop us an email at info@runnymedelibdems.org.uk.
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