Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Introduction
This webpage provides a brief description of the options for a new junction between the M23 and A23 in Hooley, Surrey. As part of the consultation process a public exhibition into these proposals is being held on 31 October and 1 November 2003.
This will be your opportunity to see the options in greater detail and to ask the Highways Agency and their design consultant any questions about the scheme.
Scheme objectives
To provide a formal interchange between the M23 and A23 that will allow all movements between these two major routes to be undertaken safely. To address an existing accident problem at the junction between the A23 and Dean Lane, and ensure the safe movement of vehicles through this busy junction in the future. To provide a scheme that is sympathetic to local issues and environmental concerns.
History
The M23 was constructed in the 1970s, when the intention was to extend it northwards into London. The further development of this motorway was subsequently abandoned.
A Public Consultation was held in 1995 into proposals to provide an interchange between the M23 and A23 through the construction of link roads. This led to the announcement of a Preferred Route in 1996.
In May 2001 Lord Whitty, the Transport Minister of the day, announced that the link road scheme was being dropped in favour of a roundabout junction. This was due to the very high cost and environmental impacts of the link road scheme.
Providing a new junction between the M23 and A23 in Hooley - Surrey
Providing a new junction between the M23 and A23 in Hooley - Surrey
Scheme development since 2001
Location of the proposed schemes
Option A
Option A - is a traffic signal controlled roundabout solution at the junction of the A23 with Dean Lane. A standard roundabout in this location was discounted in 1995 due to its poor traffic capacity.
- Vehicles leaving Dean Lane will be able to join the A23 in either direction, northbound or southbound.
Option B
Option B - is a development of the roundabout solution proposed in 2001 providing a much more compact solution without compromising engineering standards or traffic capacity.
- Free-flow link roads will be included in both directions for vehicles not making turning manoeuvres at the central roundabout.
Option C
Option C - has been developed during the past 12 months. This represents a completely new solution based on proposals put forward by the local community. This would provide an interchange as far from residential areas as possible.
- A free flow-link road will be provided for southbound vehicles wishing to join the M23.
- A short section of the M23 northbound carriageway leading to the new roundabout would lose its motorway status and have a 60 miles-an-hour speed limit imposed.
- A permanent speed restriction of 40 miles-an-hour would be required to the A23 between Dean Lane and Harps Oak Lane.
- Improvements would be required to the A23 south of the new junction. These would be the responsibility of Surrey County Council.
Improvements to the Dean Lane junction
Under both Options B and C it would be necessary to implement improvements to control the flow of vehicles into, and out of, the Dean Lane Junction. The improvements would be the same for either option. A dedicated right turn lane would be provided for northbound vehicles on the A23, and right turns out of Dean Lane would be prohibited. All vehicles would have to turn left out of Dean Lane and travel south on the A23 to the new junction. Motorists wishing to travel north on the A23 would have to turn round at the new junction. Although this would inconvenience some motorists, it would reduce the potential for accidents at the Dean Lane junction.
All three of the above options satisfy the objective of providing a safe interchange between the A23 and the M23 motorway
Further Information
Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists
We propose to improve facilities to the south of Hooley for pedestrians and cyclists as an integral part of this scheme, regardless of which option is selected for further development.
The level of provision would be common to all three options and would include a traffic signal controlled Toucan crossing of the A23 in the vicinity of the Dean Lane junction, and a two-way shared footway/cycleway along the western side of the A23. Further details will be on display at the public exhibition on 31 October and 1 November 2003.
The environment
The M23/A23 interchange lies within both the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Metropolitan Green Belt, and is situated in the vicinity of the old Surrey Iron Railway, the remains of which are now a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
All potential environmental impacts are being carefully considered for each option. Additional planting and landscape mitigation works will be included in the detailed design of the final approved scheme; indicative details of which will be available at the exhibition.
Hooley compound
The Highways Agency are formalising procedures to govern the future use of the compound area at the northern end of the M23, in association with the local planning authority and residents groups. We will shortly be erecting security fencing around the compound to control access and to restrict activities within it. We propose to maintain a compound for controlled use under all three junction options.
Brief comparison of options
Option A is the only solution that would allow all movements into, and out of, Dean Lane, but provides an interchange for M23/A23 traffic within the Hooley residential area. This option would be the least expensive to implement.
Option B would provide an interchange for M23/A23 traffic away from the residential area, but would slightly inconvenience motorists wishing to turn right out of Dean Lane.
Option C provides an interchange for M23/A23 traffic near the current end of the Motorway, as far as possible from the Hooley residential area, but would be very inconvenient for traffic wishing to travel north on the A23 from Dean Lane. This option would necessitate a permanent 40 miles-an-hour speed limit on the A23 between Dean Lane and Harps Oak Lane, and would remove all trunk road traffic from the North Merstham area. This option would be the most expensive to implement.
Have Your Say!
This is your opportunity to come and find out more about the three options being considered before letting us know which option you would prefer. Key personnel from the Highways Agency and their design consultant, Mouchel Parkman, will be present to answer your questions, and questionnaires will be distributed at this public exhibition.
The free exhibition of options for the proposed M23 / A23 Hooley Junction Improvement will be held at:
Hooley Village Hall, St Margarets Road, Hooley.
Friday 31 October 2003 - 2:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday 1 November 2003 - 10:00am to 3:00pm
What Happens Next?
The closing date for receiving responses to the public consultation is Friday 16 January 2004. All responses will be carefully considered before a decision is reached on the way forward. An announcement will be made confirming which option will be taken forward for further design.
When plans have been developed in sufficient detail draft Orders will be published under the Highways Act 1980 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, and a further public exhibition will be held. At that stage formal objections can be made and, if necessary, a Public Inquiry into the proposals will be held.
Contact the Highways Agency
If you would like to know more about the work of the Highways Agency, or need more information about the M25 Sphere, please contact us on
Highways Agency Information Line 08457 50 40 30 (calls charged at local rate)
For information about this project, see the contact details provided.
