Category Archives: Haslemere first

Planned works by SGN deferred on Chase Lane and Tennysons Lane, Haslemere

I have been working with residents to press SGN to postpone the major gas works involving weeks of road closures during this challenging time as we deal with coronavirus, in order to leave the roads open for deliveries as a priority. I wrote to SGN yesterday on this matter and received a reply today:

Good afternoon
I hope you are all keeping well.
Apologies for our slow response to the original enquiry, as I’m sure you will understand that COVID-19 has created much uncertainty for SGN. Advice and guidance for the utility and construction industry has been changing daily.
Following the UK Government’s latest instructions to further protect communities against the spread of coronavirus, we are only continuing with safety-critical and emergency work from this week. This means we will temporarily suspend our project to replace the gas pipes on Tennyson and Chase Lane.
Apologies for any confusion caused by our contractors visiting residents recently, instructions to contractors have been changing, just two weeks ago some councils were keen for us to push forward with outstanding mandatory work whilst the road network is quiet. For some of our larger town centre projects getting this work completed whilst there is a lock down makes sense, however Tennyson/Chase Lane should not have been included in this package for obvious reasons.
Please can I reassure you that we’ll write to you again when we’re able to restart work on Chase and Tennysons Lane. We all agree this will be a challenging project as access and diversions are an issue for residents, we are keen to work with you and residents to ensure its as painless as possible. At this current time I cannot say when works will be re-planned but I have asked the planning team and contractors to keep me informed.
I would be so grateful if you could pass this message on to residents through your network, working from home I don’t have the capacity to send letters out to residents until I’m able to visit one of our depots.

Two Temporary Traffic Orders – Courts Hill Road and Scotland Lane, Haslemere

COURTS HILL ROAD (D5523), HASLEMERE – TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2020

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicles from entering or proceeding in that length of Courts Hill Road (D5523), Haslemere that extends from its junction with Longdene Road (D5523) to the south-eastern property boundary of “Courts Corner”. This Traffic Order is required to enable SGN to carry out gas mains replacement works. These works are anticipated to be carried out between the hours of 7:30am and 5pm within 6 weeks of the 12 month period of operation of this Temporary Order that commences on 23 March 2020. 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. Access for residents and businesses on the affected length of Courts Hill Road (D5523), including access for emergency services to such properties will be maintained at all times via the vehicular diversion route which will be: Eastbound – Lower Street, Haslemere High Street (around Town Hall), Shepherds Hill and Midhurst Road. Westbound – Midhurst Road, Shepherds Hill and Lower Street.

SCOTLAND LANE (D5524), HASLEMERE – TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2020

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to prohibit vehicles from entering or proceeding in that length of Scotland Lane (C32), Loxhill that extends from the south-eastern property boundary of “Foxwarren” to the south-western property boundary of “The Old House”. This Traffic Order is required to enable Morrison Utility Services to make a new water service connection. These works are anticipated to be carried out within 4 days of the 12 month period of operation of this Temporary Order that commences on 24 March 2020. Advanced warning signs will be displayed and the temporary closure will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Access for pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, emergency services, residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. The vehicular diversion route will be via: For eastbound traffic – Midhurst Road, Shepherds Hill, Lower Street, High Street, Petworth Road and Haste Hill. For westbound traffic – Haste Hill, Petworth Road, Lower Street, Shepherds Hill and Midhurst Road.

Update on Scottish Power works with temporary lights at Tanners Lane/Lower Street junction in Haslemere

This morning, I spoke on site with the Scottish Power project coordinator and crew who are working in Haslemere and have set up the temporary lights by the Lower Street and Tanners Lane junction.

They tell me they have extended their road closure licence until the 24th April for the temporary traffic lights. 24th April is the worse case scenario end date for the lights.

Scottish Power will amend their signage to reflect a change in date to 24th April

I explained that the current signage states the work will finish on 5th March and that it would be helpful to set expectations by amending the details on the board. They have agreed to do this.

The project has taken longer than expected due to complications. These have included cables at one building that were 8m down and required deep excavation, some pipes that had pushed into drains and, the poor weather.

They tell me the lights will be recalibrated in the next few days as the company will move their works to the other side of Lower Street.

I have arranged a further meeting with the site manager for next week to discuss further.

Network Rail will carry out a large programme of improvement work in the Guildford area over Easter

I am sharing an update I received from South Western Railway about
a large programme of improvement work in the Guildford area over Easter that will affect train services for rail users including Haslemere residents.

Passengers advised to plan ahead this Easter with Guildford area set for 10 days of improvement work

All lines in the Guildford area will be affected by improvement work between Friday 10 and Sunday 19 April 2020
A limited South Western Railway (SWR) service will operate between London Waterloo and Guildford via Cobham & Stoke D’ Abernon between Tuesday 14 and Sunday 19 April
Great Western Railway (GWR) and CrossCountry services will be replaced by buses throughout
Southern passengers for Guildford will need to change at Epsom for onward SWR services

Network Rail will carry out a large programme of improvement work in the Guildford area over Easter to provide a more reliable railway and better performing train services.

Engineers will lay almost a mile of new track for trains to run on and over a mile of conductor rail to supply trains with electricity. 41 new track circuits, which tell signallers where trains are on the network, will be installed. The project has taken more than two years to plan and will take 12,000 man hours to complete.

Between Friday 10 and Sunday 19 April, all other services by SWR, GWR, CrossCountry and Southern are affected as follows:

SWR services between Woking/Guildford and Haslemere will be replaced by buses
SWR services between Guildford and Aldershot will be replaced by buses
GWR services between Reading and Gatwick Airport will run between Reading and Ash, with buses replacing services between North Camp and Guildford/Gatwick Airport
CrossCountry services from Newcastle to Guildford will terminate at Reading
Southern services for Guildford will start and finish at Epsom, with passengers required to transfer to SWR services to travel on to Guildford
SWR will run a limited service between London Waterloo and Guildford, via Cobham & Stoke D’ Abernon, from Tuesday 14 April.

Passengers should plan ahead and check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or their train operator, as services are subject to changes and may take longer.

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “We would like to encourage passengers who travel through Guildford to plan ahead and check before they travel, as there will be a very limited number of services between Friday 10 and Sunday 19 April.

“We apologise for the disruption that our improvements will cause however this work is vital if we are to improve both the railway and train services in the area. Closing the line for 10 days will allow us to carry out much more work compared to a series of more limited weekend closures, which could take months.”

Alan Penlington, South Western Railway Customer Experience Director, said: “These crucial works will increase the reliability of train services that travel through Guildford and help reduce disruption in the future. I realise there is never a convenient time to close the railway, but Network Rail has chosen to carry out these works over the Easter holidays when passenger demand is typically lower.”

“I really appreciate the patience of our customers whilst the improvement works are carried out and I urge anyone who is traveling via Guildford over the Easter period to check before they travel.”

Notes to editors

As part of our multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, we’re working for you to allow trains to run more frequently, faster, and to improve the reliability of the rail network to reduce delays in the future.
Network Rail is investing over £2bn over the next five years to upgrade signalling, tracks, structures, embankments, stations and depots to give passengers in South West London, Surrey, Hampshire, Somerset better journeys with fewer delays.
Our timetables are planned 12 months in advance, and we schedule in the time needed for planned works to improve the rail network.
When we need to carry out planned engineering works, such as replacing tracks or upgrading signalling systems, we might need to close a section of track for 24 hours or longer to complete the upgrade work efficiently and safely.
Trains run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so there’s no time when the network isn’t being used, meaning works can cause some disruption for passengers and businesses.
We plan works for certain times, so they cause the least disruption to passengers such as on bank holidays, Sundays and overnight, when the network is less busy.

Haslemere’s Neighbourhood Plan

For the past six years, a core group of more than 80 Haslemere Vision volunteers, working on behalf of Haslemere Town Council, have been consulting the community on future development priorities to include in the neighbourhood plan for Haslemere, Shottermill, Critchmere, Beacon Hill, Hindhead and Grayswood.

How and what to prioritise is a key issue in the public consultation, and responses – both supportive and negative – will inform the final version of the draft plan, which it is now the responsibility of the town council to deliver.

As the Haslemere Herald reported in its article, Taking Back Control,
if a majority of residents back it in the referendum, Haslemere Neighbourhood Plan will be enshrined in law and its policies will apply to all planning applications in the area.

Following the consultation process, the plan will be submitted to Waverley Borough Council to invite further comment before submitting it to an independent examiner to approve it for referendum.

If a majority of residents back it in the referendum, Haslemere Neighbourhood Plan will be enshrined in law and its policies will apply to all planning applications in the area.

The adoption of the neighbourhood plan also has important strategic funding implications.

Waverley currently applies a community infrastructure levy (CIL) on all developments, of which 15 per cent – capped in the case of large developments – goes to Haslemere Town Council.

An adopted neighbourhood plan means the town council is given more responsibility for decision making and its share of CIL will rise to 25 per cent with no cap.

The increase in funding will mean Haslemere and the surrounding area can undertake more ambitious new projects or partner with Waverley and Surrey County Council to deliver larger schemes.

Haslemere mayor John Robini, who is chairing the working party taking the plan forward, said: “Our aim is a plan that will help deliver the long-term goals of a balanced and vibrant neighbourhood.”

The plan identifies four key objectives:

* To encourage development that meets Haslemere’s housing needs while protecting the character of the area – in particular to encourage more homes for young people, local workers and downsizers.

* To protect and enrich green spaces and the surrounding natural environment.

* To re-balance road use, limiting the adverse impact of motor vehicles by improving provision for off-street parking and/or alternative forms of transport.

* To protect existing employment and encourage more diverse local employment opportunities to create a sustainable community.

I confirm that the final versions of the Neighbourhood Plan and summary are now up on Haslemere Town Council’s website.

https://www.haslemeretc.org/uploads/1/1/5/9/115942197/final_neighbourhood_plan_ver_2019.10.pdf

https://www.haslemeretc.org/uploads/1/1/5/9/115942197/final_neighbourhood_plan_summary.pdf

Temporary Traffic Order – The Avenue, Haslemere – SGN gas main replacement works

NOTICE: THE SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL THE AVENUE (D5512) HASLEMERE AND PUBLIC FOOTPATH 16 HASLEMERE TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2020

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Traffic Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to temporarily prohibit pedestrians or any person proceeding by any other means from entering or proceeding in –

(a) that length of The Avenue (D5512) Haslemere, also known as Public Footpath No. 16 (Haslemere), which extends from the property boundary line between property Nos. 37 and 39 The Avenue to the property boundary line between the properties known as “Hollydown” and “The Tree House, 1” Woodlands Lane;

(b) that length of Public Footpath No. 16 (Haslemere) which extends from its junction with D134 Farnham Lane to the property boundary line between the properties known as “Hollydown” and “The Tree House, 1” Woodlands Lane.

This Order is required to enable SGN to carry out gas main replacement works, which is anticipated to be completed within 5 weeks, between 7.30am and 5pm, during the 3 month period of operation of this Order which will commence on 11 March 2020. Advanced warning sign will be displayed and the temporary closure, which is anticipated to be in force 24 hours per day, will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Pedestrian access to premises within the affected lengths of the footpath will be maintained at all times. Diversion Route – Public Footpath No. 16 (Haslemere), D134 Farnham Lane, Public Footpath No. 108 (Haslemere) and D5512 The Avenue otherwise known as Public Footpath No. 16 (Haslemere).

Haslemere’s fire service update

At the SCC full council meeting in October 2019, I raised concerns about the lack of night fire cover in Haslemere and the cutting of 7 night appliances across the county. Haslemere’s geography means there is further pressure as stations provide fire cover for each other, however, it is a long way to drive to Haslemere for other stations to provide cover. Haslemere is no longer considered a priority fire station despite proximity to the A3 and Hindhead Tunnel.

This was the question I put to full council last October:

The recently issued Making Surrey Safer Plan purports to “make sure we have the right resources in the right places at the right time to respond when you need us”.

Haslemere fire station is a high priority station due to its proximity to the Hindhead Tunnel on the A3 and its distance from neighbouring stations. Due to a lack of supervisory managers at Haslemere’s on call unit, wholetime appliances have had to be moved to Haslemere to provide cover over night.

When there have been insufficient wholetime fire appliances available retained/on call appliances have been moved to Haslemere to cover the shortfall.

During August this resulted in “Standby” appliances being moved from their base station elsewhere in the county to Haslemere to provide night cover twenty times.

On occasion, when there have been insufficient resources, the Haslemere area has been abandoned without cover for a period of 24 hours.

At present the Fire Service is struggling to maintain cover at night. This situation will be exacerbated by the cutting of a further 7 appliances at night.

The new Making Surrey Safer Plan

· slashes the night time cover throughout the county, potentially leaving Haslemere exposed,

· increases dependency on an already over-stretched pool of part-time fire fighters, and

· relies on crews backing each other up over long distances at risk to the base station’s primary response area.

The Plan therefore increases rather than reduces the risk to my constituents’ safety and fails to ensure the right resources will be in the right place at the right time to respond to residents’ needs in emergency. Far from driving the improvements called for by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate last year, Surrey’s Plan is a roadmap for deterioration in our fire service.

QUESTION 1: Would the leader please explain how, if the plan is implemented in its current form, I can reassure my constituents that they will be safe in their beds at night if the reduction of seven night time appliances across Surrey leaves insufficient resources when 24 hour fire cover at Haslemere cannot currently be guaranteed?

QUESTION 2: Due to the nature of the on-call system, fire crew availability can never be guaranteed. Staff are already struggling with the extra demands on their time covering the shortfalls. Do you believe the heavy reliance on retained/on call stations is sustainable once there is a further reduction of seven appliances at night?

I am pleased that Denise Turner Stewart, Cabinet Member for Community Safety Fire & Resilience, accepted my invitation and met fire officers on Friday 14th February at Haslemere Fire Station to hear their concerns. Also, in attendance was the assistant fire chief officer. I am overwhelmed by the dedication of fire crew and how they have worked as a team in the face of more and more stretched resources to keep offering a fire service for Haslemere. I am worried going forward about the impact of the new transformation.

The team accepts there need to be new ways of working however, personally, I am very concerned about night fire cover and response times in Haslemere.

Denise listened. The firefighters and I are truly grateful she took the time to do so. She has agreed to stay in touch, reflect on the conversation and monitor the stats (response times and crew availability) following this meeting. The new changes come into effect on April 1^st over response times and issue of night cover.

South Western Railway announces compensation package for customers affected by December strikes

From: South Western Railway
Date: 18 February 2020
T
Subject: South Western Railway announcement on compensation for December 2019 strike

Dear Nikki,

I am writing to you to let you know that today we are announcing an additional compensation package for customers affected by the strike on our network in December 2019.

We did our utmost to keep passengers moving during December and carried over 80% of the number of passengers we normally would have done at this time of year. However, I have listened to customer feedback, and given the duration and intensity of the strike, we are now offering additional compensation, over and above the normal delay repay arrangements.

Full details of the compensation arrangements can be found in the attached press release or by visiting: www.southwesternrailway.com/december-2019-strike-compensation

Yours sincerely,

Mark Hopwood
Managing Director
South Western Railway

Emergency Utility Works; Liphook Road, Haslemere

Subject: Emergency Utility Works; Liphook Road, Haslemere

Dear Councillor,

For your information can I advise you of emergency works being carried out on Liphook Road, Haslemere (at the junction with Eliot Drive).

South East Water need to repair a burst water main. The traffic management that is placed is Multi-Way Signals and the estimated end date is the 17/02/2020.

We have requested manual control between 06:30-09:30 & 16:00-18:30 to minimise disruption as much as possible.

I hope you find this information useful.

Kind Regards,

Network Coordinator – Waverley

Streetworks Team

Network and Asset Management Group

Surrey Highways

Farnham Lane (D134) Haslemere Temporary Prohibition of Traffic Order 2020

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Traffic Order under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering or proceeding in that length of Farnham Lane (D134) Haslemere which extends from its junction with Bunch Lane to its junction with Stoatley Hollow.

There is no diversion route possible for this road closure.

This Order is required to enable SGN to carry out gas main replacement works, which is anticipated to be completed within 3 months, between 7.30am and 5pm, during the 12 month period of operation of this Order which will commence on 24 February 2020.

Advanced warning sign will be displayed and the temporary closure, which is anticipated to be in force 24 hours per day, will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed.

Access to premises within the affected length of road, including access by emergency vehicles to these properties, will be maintained at all times, as will access for pedestrians, dismounted cyclists and dismounted equestrians.