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SGN Works – Sickle Road, Dale View and Sun Brow

From: Surrey Highways: TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2019

Dear Sirs

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Order under Section 14(1) and (7) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to a) prohibit vehicles from entering or proceeding in that length of Sickle Road (D5522), Haslemere that extends from its junction with Dale View (D5522) to its junction with Sun Brow (D5522); b) suspend “THE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL SICKLE ROAD (D5522) AND SUN BROW (D5522) HASLEMERE TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2019” in its entirety.

This Traffic Order is required to enable SGN to carry out gas mains replacement works. These works are anticipated to be carried out within 6 weeks of the 6 month period of operation of this Temporary Order that commences on 09 September 2019. Advanced warning signs will be displayed and the temporary closure which is anticipated will be required for 24 hours each day, will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Access for pedestrians; dismounted cyclists and equestrians will be maintained at all times. These works will be carried out in phases of 50m length so to maintain access for emergency services, residences and businesses on the affected length of Sickle Road (D5522), at all times up to the point of closure via the vehicular diversion route which will be Dale View and Sun Brow.

Over one million people to save hundreds, as new ‘16-17 Saver’ launches, cutting cost of rail travel for teenagers

Press release from South Western Railway

  • Half price 16-17 Saver launching next week for 1.2million 16 and 17-year olds
  • Young people set to make average savings of £186 every year
  • Railcards boost education opportunities and help communities and businesses by making travel cheaper for young people

The Department for Transport, together with the rail industry, has confirmed the brand new 16-17 Saver will launch next week, guaranteeing half-price travel for young people in England and Wales.

Whether starting or returning to sixth-form or college, beginning an apprenticeship or entering the world of work, teenagers can start buying their discounted tickets on Monday 2 September.

It is forecast to save young people and their families an average of £186 every year and is set to boost education opportunities, communities and businesses with young people able to travel more affordably.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, said:

“The brand-new Saver means that a generation of rail passengers can now benefit from cheaper fares, keeping money in their pocket and helping them get to school, college and work. 

“We want to create a railway system that’s fit for the 21st century and provides a reliable, punctual journey. It’s tempting to say fares should never rise, but the truth is that if we stop investing in our railways then we’ll never see it improved.

“Through the Saver, the 26-30 Railcard, the trialling of single-leg fares on LNER and a record £48 billion investment in the railways, we are focused on providing passengers with the frequent, reliable and affordable journeys they deserve.”

The launch comes as the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) confirmed that over 327,000 people are now saving a third off their journeys after purchasing the 26-30 Railcard, saving an average of £19 per month since it launched in January.

Today’s announcement means that passengers aged between 16 and 30 will now benefit from significant savings on their travel.

Available for purchase for £30 online at www.16-17saver.co.uk, the 16-17 Saver will be on sale at 9am on Tuesday 20 August. From this date, up to 1.2 million young people are eligible for the 50% discount it offers on most rail travel, including peak and Season tickets.

Robert Nisbet, Director, Nations & Regions at Rail Delivery Group said:

“The launch of the 16-17 Saver, in partnership with the Department for Transport, demonstrates the rail industry’s commitment to providing the best value fares for all customers. 

“There are 1.2m people aged 16 or 17 years in Great Britain – working together, we want to ensure they can access affordable rail travel with the new 16-17 Saver”.   

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges said:

“This rail discount for 16 and 17-year olds is a huge step in the right direction and will help to alleviate the financial pressures facing young people and their families across the country.

“Many from disadvantaged backgrounds find themselves making difficult choices about their future based on how much their journey to college will cost, increasing the pressures of staying in education.

“Travel costs should never be a barrier to education, today’s announcement will give a much needed helping hand to thousands who rely on rail travel to access education and training.”

The new Saver means that young people are now eligible for a child fare until their 18th birthday. It is valid across England, Wales and services into Scotland.

The root and branch review of the rail industry, led by Keith Williams, is looking at fares reform and affordability for passengers. It is intending to publish recommendations by the end of this year, with the anticipation that reforms will begin during 2020.

January 2020 will be the seventh year running the Government will have capped fares in line with inflation. Since 2014 fares have, on average, remained below the annual inflation cap.

ENDS

  • The 16-17 Saver can also be purchased by calling 0345 301 1656.

Update on Lower Street roadworks

From: on behalf of Works Communication Team/EAI/SCC <works.communication@surreycc.gov.uk>
Sent: 14 August 2019 14:20:36
To: Nikki Barton <Nikki.Barton@surreycc.gov.uk>
Subject: RE: Road works Lower St Haslemere

Dear Nikki Barton

Thank you for getting in touch. Firstly I would like to provide some background on the purpose of this work and the complications this scheme has presented.

The works on Lower Street involve construction of new drainage and are primarily to remove a flood risk to a property where the highways drains pass beneath it, by rerouting our pipes. This involves digging a new pipe through private land in a restricted area, between two houses and a garage parking area, through a retaining wall, along a footpath and to a chamber.

There are a great deal of utility services underneath the road surface (please see below pictures and map) and ultimately it is these services which actually dictate what is possible. Due to the significant amount of underground services the team are using a vacuum excavator as this is a far safer way for our team to remove spoil than a conventional digger. Using this equipment mitigates any risk to their personal safety, which is of utmost importance to us.

We have gatemen present at each end of Lower Street, their role is to remain at either end of the road and ensure the public do not enter the live works site. The area the team are working in is outside of a property called Tisa Cottage. Whilst they may not be visible from either end of the road, I can assure you that the team are on site, working extremely hard on a daily basis and are making progress.

On Monday I was advised that the team had got to a point where they have found the unknown buried pipe and this has determined the level for the rest of the works. Our engineer believes they have found a route through the services to allow installation of the new pipework and the team on site are working towards this. There are difficulties with some of the existing pipes which the new pipes need to be connected to, as they are encased in brick. This may mean that the team have to dig further to achieve the connections or do something a little differently. The excavations are a bit larger than initially hoped for but unfortunately this is unavoidable. Please see attached a copy of the original plans for this scheme which should demonstrate what the team set out to achieve.

Looking at the original plans it is clear that this a particularly difficult site with many utility services, this makes progress slow and the design has to be adapted to suit what is unearthed. The team had previously investigated as thoroughly as possible having camera surveyed the drain runs and used ground probing radar to identify services and hence a probable route for the new pipes, however it is only when the ground is actually excavated that the realities of the situation are revealed.

The equipment being used, the width of the road and the size of excavation required mean that a road closure is necessary. Another reason, that may not be immediately obvious, is that live traffic cannot run too close to the hole due to the pressure that is transmitted to the sides of the excavation by vehicles. We really don’t want to close roads unless we have to and do not make the decision lightly. There are many variables we have to consider including the site operations, the size of the road and the safety of both the travelling public and our work force. For Lower Street this criteria meant a closure.

Please see attached site diaries from the 7 and 8 August which detail work progress with photographic evidence of work taking place. Please be advised these site diaries belong to one individual on site and their start time does not necessarily reflect the time that everyone was on site.

The lead engineer on this project is satisfied with the progress on site. Considering the difficulties the team have faced, they are working extremely hard and going the extra mile where necessary to support the residents living in the works area, whilst carrying out their work to a good standard. I hope this help to reassure you and your residents that work is taking place and progress being made.

In view of the above, I will be updating our road works map pop-out with a PDF document that explains the work and has pictures of our progress so far. I hope that this will highlight to the public the challenges the team have faced on this scheme and the extent of works being carried out. I’m hoping that explaining what we are trying to achieve will justify the length of time we need for this work and why it is essential that the road is closed whilst we carry out the work.

I would be very grateful if you could direct your residents to the information on roadworks.org and if there are further queries please could they be sent to us in the Works Communications Team.

Kind regards

Works Communication Officer

Works Communication Team

Surrey Highways

Tel: 01483 404618

Emergency Utility Works; Church Lane, Haslemere (Thames Water)

Sent: 15 August 2019 08:18:38
To: Nikki Barton <Nikki.Barton@surreycc.gov.uk>

Subject: Emergency Utility Works; Church Lane, Haslemere (Thames Water)

Dear Councillor,

For your information can I advise you of emergency works being carried out on Church Lane, Haslemere (outside Haslemere Health Centre).

Thames Water need to repair a water leak in the carriageway. The traffic management that is placed is a Road Closure and the estimated end date is the 20/08/2019.

I hope you find this information useful.

Kind Regards,

Network Coordinator – Waverley

Network Coordination Team

Network and Asset Management Group

Surrey Highways

A3 Guildford – Update on Improvements to the Stoke and University Interchanges

Dear Stakeholder,

A3 Guildford – Update on Improvements to the Stoke and University Interchanges

We wrote to you in December 2018 to announce improvement schemes at Guildford as part of our ongoing commitment to safety. We would like to provide you with an update of what has happened to date and forthcoming.

Average Speed Cameras (A3 Northbound)

The average speed cameras along the A3 northbound carriageway have been installed and are now operational. This scheme aims to reduce traffic speed and collisions due to excessive speed on A3 northbound.

Stoke Interchange (A3 Southbound)

This scheme aims to bring better traffic flows through the junction reducing the tailbacks on the slip road and dual carriageway; we anticipate that work should be completed in early-August 2019.

As many of you may already be aware, we will be closing the southbound exit slip road over a weekend period (from 10pm on Friday 26th July through to 6am on Monday 29th July 2019) to allow various activities including safety barrier, signage, widening and resurfacing works to be undertaken which cannot be done safely using only lane closures.

University Interchange (A3 Northbound)

Work to improve traffic flows through the University Interchange, reducing the tailbacks on the slip road is scheduled to start in August 2019. We expect work to be completed in March 2020.

The existing exit slip road will be extended back towards the main A3 carriageway and widened to provide more capacity. The existing footpath between the slips will also be closed and an improved footpath will be installed along the slip road up to Egerton Road.

For the safety of our workforce and customers, narrow lanes will be in place on the northbound exit slip road with the reduced speed of 40 miles per hour, and we will have a number of overnight closures of this slip road (9pm to 6am).

There will also be occasional overnight closures of the A3 northbound carriageway from Compton (B3000) to the University Interchange. During these closures a signed diversion will be in place via the B3000, the A31 Hogs Back, Guildford and the A25.

A3 Cathedral Re-Cabling (A3 Southbound)

We will be installing approximately 3000 meters of underground cabling, as part of our renewal activity. These works will include some small excavations that will allow investigation works to be completed. All excavations will be back filled or made safe at the end of each shift.

Works are scheduled to start in early September 2019. For the safety of our workforce and customers, we will need to close the southbound exit and entry slip roads at the Cathedral Junction (overnight between 9pm and 6am) for a period of approximately three to four weeks. During these closures signed diversions will be in place via the adjacent junctions.

Please be aware that these works have been carefully planned to improve the current traffic situation on the A3; and carefully programmed to reduce the overall impact during construction. The schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances – please check the yellow signs placed in advance at the junction for confirmation of the closures dates/timings.

We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience or disruption caused during our work; if you have any questions, or if you’d like to know about our work please contact us on 0300 123 5000 or email info@highwaysengland.co.uk

Yours faithfully

Kathryn Blofield

Communications Coordinator

Update on College Hill Debris

From: <highways@surreycc.info>
Date: 12 July 2019 at 10:46:29 am CEST
To: <nikki.barton@haslemeretc.org>
Subject: Surrey Highways Reference: ME-687134 – COLLEGE HILL, HASLEMERE

Dear Nikki,

Thank you for your enquiry reported on 12 Jul 2019 09:20 which has been logged as follows:

Reference number: ME-687134
Location: COLLEGE HILL, HASLEMERE
Details: Carriageway Defect – Loose material (a copy of the original enquiry can be found at the very bottom of this email)

Just to confirm I have spoken to Waverley Borough Council’s Environmental Services Team to request that they send out a road sweeper to deal with the loose material deposits on College Hill, Haslemere, as per photographs attached.

For your easy reference they can be contacted on 01483 523333 or email enquiries@waverley.gov.uk

Once again thank you for contacting us. If you have any further queries or require additional information you may find the following page on our website useful: www.surreycc.gov.uk/highwaysinfo

Kind regards

Helen Boyes
Customer Services Officer
Surrey Highways


Waverley ‘Executive Listening Panel’ to hear public views on oil drilling

Waverley Borough Council’s Executive is seeking views from the public and other stakeholders to help shape its response to Surrey County Council’s consultation on proposed oil and gas exploration near Dunsfold.

UK Oil and Gas Ltd submitted an application in May this year for permission to drill an exploratory well on land near Dunsfold. Surrey County Council is the determining authority and Waverley Borough Council is being consulted as the Local Planning Authority.

Waverley’s Executive is inviting individuals and organisations to make representations in person, before a panel of four Councillors at a special evening session between 6 – 9pm on Tuesday 23 July at the council’s offices in Godalming.

Speakers will be allowed four minutes each to make a statement and Listening Panel members may ask questions to clarify any of the issues raised. The Listening Panel will be held in public and will be webcast live.

Those who wish to make representations are asked to email listening@waverley.gov.uk by 9am on Monday 15 July, stating their name and address, any relevant background information (eg profession or qualifications), whether they are acting as an individual or on behalf of an organisation and a summary of the key points of their representation. Depending on the number of responses, it may be necessary to limit the number of speakers on a particular issue.

Waverley Borough Council Leader, Councillor John Ward said: “When we announced the council’s new Executive, we said we wanted to do things differently, to be open and transparent and most importantly, to listen to our residents.

“We understand that this is an extremely sensitive issue for the local community. We want to include the views of our residents and the potential impacts on local communities in our response to Surrey, alongside the more technical considerations and our assessment of the environmental impacts.

“This is a new approach and essentially we will be piloting the format, as well as using the results from it to help shape our consultation response. I would urge local people, community groups or other organisations to get in touch and come along on 23 July to share their views with us.”

For further information contact:
Tel: 01483  523296
Web : www.waverley.gov.uk
Email: communications@waverley.gov.uk