Two young people in Elmbridge ask two very important questions…

Ealier this week, the Elmbridge Liberal Democrats invited two excellent work experience students into our office. We asked them to investiagte the state of Surrey's roads - and how the potholes are affecting young people. Here's what they found.

Alice M: With all the pressures a young person faces today, why should a lack of road safety also be one of them?

As a fifteen year old living in Esher and Walton, I experience a lot of pressure to accomplish certain things: do well in exams, make plans for the future, make social connections and many more. But as a young person living in Surrey, why when I learn to drive should I be concerned for my safety because of potholes?

A recent report from the RAC names Surrey as the county with the most vehicle damage compensation claims in the whole of the UK, with 3,418 claims in 2023. Driving as a young person is nerve-racking enough, so the fact that this is such a prevalent issue in our area is not acceptable. Not only are the potholes causing major safety issues, but these accidents would also cause damage to our bank accounts, thanks to the increasing insurance rates.

These potholes are making me reconsider whether I even want to get a drivers license. While it is necessary for everyday life, is it worth it to potentially compromise my safety everyday? Not to mention the impacts it could have on my education - if something should happen because of the potholes whilst I drive to school, I could miss out on vital learning. But the thing is, this is all preventable.

Although governments claim to be fixing this issue, they only provide bandage solutions with no thought for actual improvements in the long term. I believe that as young people, we can make real change to the local area. 

Kate B - Is it safe to go green? 

As a fourteen year old living in Walton, one of the main things I hear about all the time is the need to go green and get outside because of the impact of Climate Change. But I think twice about getting on my bike because of the potholes. 

Surrey is engulfed in potholes. According to a report by the RAC it is the county with the highest rate of road damage to cars in the UK. It has been predicted that by 2032 there will be an equivalent of one pothole claim per mile on a 3410-mile road network in Surrey.

So why should I, as a teenager, living in Surrey be compelled to go out more on my bike when it is unsafe to do so. Between 2017-2021, 118 cyclists were killed or seriously injured from the defective road surfaces. Is it really safe to go green?

The Government and the Surrey County Council need to do more.The combined inability to reinforce regulations to fill in potholes affects the health and wellbeing of teenagers and the possibility of getting injured. This needs to change and the problem needs to be addressed appropriately to provide a long term effective result.

References: RAC report, AA Pothole index.