The new traffic barrier in Tolworth Road is to be axed if Surbiton councillors get their way.

In a stunning move last night (Tues), after an impressive presentation by a group of local residents about the knock-on effect of the road closure on neighbouring streets – especially Thornhill Road which had borne the brunt of the displaced traffic (an extra 1,188 vehicles per day including a big hike in the number of HGVs) – councillors on the Surbiton neighbourhood committee voted unanimously to revoke the experimental traffic management order with immediate effect.

This will mean removing the planters and bollard which had been installed two months ago to block off Tolworth Road at the Fullers Way North/Red Lion Road end – and not waiting the full six months (as was the original plan) to see if traffic patterns change as part of the low traffic neighbourhood scheme.

The councillors want a more “holistic” approach for the whole area to be researched.

However the move still needs to be approved by their oppos on the South of the Borough neighbourhood committee which is responsible for traffic measures in Tolworth Road.

If the committees can’t agree, the matter will then be decided higher up the food chain.

Watch this space.