Surrey school could finally get traffic lights after children and parents say road is 'unsafe'
A Surrey special needs school could finally get a ‘safe’ crossing after pupils, parents and staff repeatedly raised fears about road safety.
Surrey County Council is asking people for their views on plans to install a raised traffic-light crossing outside a special needs school in Caterham.
The proposed crossing would be built on Chaldon Road, outside Clifton Hill School, and would sit on a speed bump designed to slow traffic and give pedestrians a clear, controlled place to cross.
The public consultation is open until January 26, 2026.
The move follows years of concern from the school community, who say crossing the road outside the school is currently “scary” and unsafe, particularly for wheelchair users and other vulnerable pedestrians.
Clifton Hill is a secondary school for 11 to 19-year-olds with severe and profound learning difficulties.
Pupils and families cross Chaldon Road several times a day, including when students are taken to the church opposite the school to use the cafe to develop their independent living skills.
At present, there are no dropped kerbs, road markings have faded and traffic flows constantly along the 30mph road.
Parents have said cars often speed up rather than slow down, with some drivers even honking at pupils who take longer to cross.
Surrey County Council officers visited the Caterham school in October 2024 and came up with short-term and long-term measures to improve road safety.
Although the road safety officers recommended a signal crossing with raised tables in Chaldon Road to help the children, campaigners have expressed their disappointment as they say it could take up to seven years to be installed and cost up to £200,000, money the council does not currently have.
Staff have even bought a lollipop sign with their own money to help pupils cross, but say it is not enough.
Teachers stress that many students cannot move quickly due to mobility or behavioural needs.
The county council said the raised, signalised crossing would improve accessibility, reduce vehicle speeds and create a safer environment for everyone using the road.
The scheme would be funded through Surrey County Council’s road safety outside schools budget.
Surrey County Council said feedback from the consultation will help inform the final design and decision-making process.
If the scheme progresses, a statutory consultation would follow before construction.
Residents, parents and road users can share their views on the proposal until January 26, 2026.