A TfL spokesperson has declared the notorious Tolworth Rise bus gate "perfectly safe", despite being shown video footage of numerous traffic offences and near misses that have happened there.

The gate was installed in February to allow buses to cut off the A3 as part of a six-month experiment.

At a Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee meeting on Thursday last week, TfL area representative Dave Edser told residents and councillors that a full safety audit had been carried out at the site.

"I accept the local residents do not like the gate being there and I can understand why but I do not feel that the gate is dangerous," he said. "There is a camera designed to deter drivers from using the lane but it is not proving a sufficient deterrent."

South Lane resident Paul Saunders pointed out safety hazards from his own film footage of the area, including a car escaping traffic on the A3, turning in the road and narrowly missing a pedestrian with a pram.

He said: "Figures from TfL itself show that since the bus gate was created, traffic on our road has increased by 50 per cent and speeds have also increased, which we believe are down to the buses themselves speeding."

Councillors agreed unanimously that TfL should take action to improve the gate's safety. Have your say on our online forum at surreycomet.co.uk/ haveyoursay/messageforum