RIDDLESDOWN RD CLOSURE; – please note following pressure from the RRA, the official diversion route has now been removed from Brancaster Lane and Coombe Wood Hill (and vice versa) because these two narrow streets are unsuitable for two-way traffic with all the commuter parking.
Unfortunately many motorists are still using Brancaster Lane, Coombe Wood Hill, and also Riddlesdown Ave and Lower Barn Rd (especially between 7.45 am and 8.30 am) for the ‘school run’ and at times drivers are stuck in gridlocked traffic – going nowhere.
The official diversion route is now, right at the Riddlesdown Rd road closure into Warren Rd (which has temporarily had the 7.5 tonne weight limit removed). There is the option to then follow Warren Rd to the traffic lights at Downs Court Rd/Godstone Rd (for HGVs) and up Downs Court Rd, and/or go via Selcroft Rd and Oakwood Ave into Downs Court Rd, Mitchley Ave (and vice versa).
This latter route will probably be much quicker rather than trying to navigate Brancaster Lane, Coombe Wood Hill, and/or Riddlesdown Ave and Lower Barn Rd.
Early mornings on Mondays are also refuse and recycling days which adds to the gridlock.
We are told by WCB the works to Riddlesdown Rd will go on for about another 2 to 3 weeks (depending on the weather). They are ahead of schedule.
We have also raised with the Council and the contractor WCB about all the damaged grass verges, especially on Coombe Wood Hill, and we are waiting further feedback about this and who is going to re-instate the verges when Riddlesdown Rd re-opens.
Our advice to motorists is to AVOID Coombe Wood Hill, Brancaster Lane, Riddlesdown Ave and Lower Barn Rd especially during morning ‘school run’.