The Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water

Client
Wentworth Estate Roads Committee
Location

Virginia Water

REMIT

An Independent Feasibility Study of Traffic Movement and Control on the Wentworth Estate Private Road Network.

BACKGROUND

RGP was instructed by the Wentworth Estate Roads Committee (WERC), against strong competition from larger consulting firms, to undertake a study of traffic movement and control across the entire Estate, against the background of increasing concerns relating to security, unauthorised traffic, vehicle speed and safety.

The Wentworth Estate is about 700 hectares and is one of the most prestigious private estates in the UK. It is home to over 750 dwellings and the Wentworth Club has three championship golf courses as well as tennis and health club facilities. The layout of the Estate is complex in that it is bisected by a number of public roads which fall under the jurisdiction of Surrey County Council and an extensive private road network, including 18 different access points, for which the WERC is responsible.

RGP’S APPROACH

RGP undertook detailed site visits and reviewed an extensive array of background information, including traffic flow data, accident records, PROWs, latest vehicle control systems and the many constraints, such as land ownership, access points and the golf courses themselves.

RGP developed 12 potential options for improving the private road network and appraised them against the brief. RGP also commissioned a survey of key individuals at the Estate to establish the strength of feeling with regard to many aspects of the design and devised an assessment matrix which led to the identification of the preferred solution.

The conclusions of the study were presented by Chris Blamey (Director) and Clare Cobbold (Associate) to all residents of the Estate at the AGM held in the Wentworth Club Ballroom.

The proposals are now being considered by the WERC and RGP looks forward to assisting further on this project in the future with regard to detailed design and implementation of the preferred solution.