Category Archives: Haslemere first

Happy Christmas

Here is an update of a few activities from recent weeks. I will write a more formal summary of my Surrey County Councillor update for the Haslemere Town Council full council meeting on January 15th 2015.

I attended the unveiling of the WW1 commemoration mural on Wey Hill organised by Ken Griffiths and displaying artwork from Woolmer Hill, Bohunt and Rodborough Schools.

I also attended the centenary party for St John Ambulance, Haslemere. We are so fortunate in Haslemere to have these amazing volunteers serving our community.

Placed a Surrey County Council wreath in honour of those who lost their lives in the wars during Haslemere’s Remembrance Service.

Attended the town Christmas carol service at the fire station.

Embedded image permalink Picture from the Haslemere Town Crier’s Twitter page

A few other items:

Sculptor Jon Edgar is involved in a proposal to build a community sculpture for Haslemere in Wey Hill. Please take a look at Jon’s website to read more about it and to have your say: https://haslemeresculpture.wordpress.com/about/

My Surrey County Councillor representation to Waverley Borough Council regarding the Undershaw planning application is here: Cllr Barton response to WA20141655 for Undershaw at Hindhead.

Letter from Police Commissioner re lack of fudning for local police funding- Letter from Surrey PCC.

In my last blog post of 2014, may I wish you all a festive and peaceful Christmas. I will be with my family in Haslemere.

Woolmer Hill’s Christmas tree outside Haslewey

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in 2014 and I look forward to working together for Haslemere in 2015.

This Week’s Committee Meetings

I have a lot of papers to read this week:

The agenda for the meeting of Surrey County Council on 9 December 2014 is available via this link http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=121&MId=3682&Ver=4 …

The agenda for the Waverley Local Area Committee meeting on Friday, 12 December 2014 1.30 pm is here: http://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=195&MId=3554&Ver=4 … The meeting includes a petition from a Haslemere resident:

On 24 January 2014 a speed check was carried out by Surrey Police in Shepherds Hill, Haslemere, Surrey. According to data collected over 70% of vehicles were speeding, with some speeds reaching 59mph. We, the residents of Haslemere, petition Surrey County Council to look at introducing Siemen SafeZone in Haslemere to promote safer roads and reduce casualties in Haslemere. SafeZone combines Siemens’ new Sicore Automatic License Plate Recognition camera. The systems reduce serious accidents by 77% on average. There is a high level of driver compliance (99.4%). The camera has a compact design to reduce street impact. A single camera is used for two lane bi-directional traffic which reduces the project cost. The branding and technology enable a community-based approach to enforcement. Siemen SafeZone is a scheme whereby the goal is to construct an individual and ideally self-financing solution based upon locally retained funds arising from Driver Awareness course participation.

Surrey County Concillor Update for Haslemere Town Council Full Council Meeting 20th November 2014

My Surrey County Concillor Update for Haslemere Town Council Full Council Meeting 20th November 2014, Item 5.

Wrote update for A286 and A287 road repairs from last week. It was not intended to have an overlap of the 2 roads but due to bad weather, gulley cleaning and maintenance, plus equipment breakdowns, the A286 repair has been delayed by a week. Pleased that the improved communications strategy is proving effective, following review with highways team. Also, please note full repair of Derby Road East.

Attended Haslemere & Western Villages Task Group, 3rd November 2014. The priorities for Haslemere are listed below. The priorities from the four area task groups (Haslemere, Farnham, Godalming, Cranleigh) are considered jointly by the four chairmen of the same who then recommend a programme to the local committee meeting in December. The bids from the four areas always exceed the available budget so there is no guarantee schemes prioritised at a local level will make it through to the programme.

Kerb build-outs to assist crossing Shepherds Hill at j/w Lower St to implement finding of 2014/15 feasibility study
Haslemere Gateways – additional bid for funding to continue work started in 2014/15 aimed at influencing driver behaviour/enhancing sense of place
Pedestrian safety at Shepherds Hill j/w Courts Hill in order to implement finding of 2014/15 feasibility study
Feasibility studies (Shepherds Hill ‘pocket park’. Grayswood A286 crossing. 20mph limits)
Sandrock Hill additional lighting
Town centre & Wey Hill de-clutter

Haslemere dustcart discontinuation proposal. See attached: Haslemere Dustcart Briefing Note

Made representation regarding Stepping Stones planning application for Undershaw. See attached: Cllr Barton response to WA20141655 for Undershaw at Hindhead

In contact with YHA’s Chief Executive to discuss closure on 31st March 2015 of YHA youth hostel in the Devil’s Punchbowl. Very sorry to see this hostel closing, especially in light of recent opening up of the vast National Trust area around the Devils Punhcbowl. See below comment to Haslemere Herald:

The closure of this youth hostel, tucked away deep in the heart of the Devil’s Punch Bowl will be a real loss to walkers and visitors to the area. While I appreciate that the YHA have decided to focus resources on the Tanners Hatch hostel near Dorking (over 30 miles from Hindhead) as their access to the Surrey Hills, this strategy appears to overlook the huge increase in visitors to the enlarged Punch Bowl area since the Hindhead Tunnel opened.

Attended Waverley Youth Task Group meeting. Updates from Guildford YMCA and Surrey Care Trust on Local Prevention Framework work (Sept 2013 – Aug 2014)

Other Items

Had pocket park discussion (jn Shepherds Hill & Lower Street) with town council and Haslemere Society

Yellow lining to arrive early 2015. Team is making its ways around Waverley towns. Next Waverley parking review is at LAC March 2015. Requests to parking@surreycc.gov.uk by end of year.

Community Enhancement Fund (£5K per annum) for Highways issues spent on new grit bin, veg gang, bike racks at Haslewey (to be installed by end Q1 2015)

Met Highways team to discuss cycle/walking network. Agreed to plan a street audit of Haslemere town centre as 1st step.

Have requested (in meeting with town council) better collaboration between all three tiers of local government.

Of General Interest

The Highways Agency are currently undertaking a feasibility study of the A3 Guildford Bypass with the aim of identifying potential improvements to the road network which could be implemented within the next five to ten years. A computerised traffic model will be developed, which will require the accurate capture of journey and traffic data, in order to accurately test any options.

A reminder of Passenger Transport Survey: https://www.surreysays.co.uk/e-i-directorate-programme-group/local-transport-review

Christmas meal at Haslewey on 25th December for anyone who may be alone at Christmas. Transport can be provided. Please kindly share this information. Contact hclorganiser@gmail.com

Highways Roadworks Update

Two important updates relating to road repairs.

A286 Road Re-Surfacing

Further to the ongoing Project 400 carriageway resurfacing scheme at the A286 Haslemere /Grayswood Road, please be advised that major issues with the existing surface water drainage and gully cleansing maintenance progress have meant slow progress during the recent heavy rains. This repair scheme has now overrun and as such will now continue for at least another week up to the 21st November 2014.

A287 Hindhead Road Re-Surfacing

The scheme is due to commence on the 17th November and completion is projected as 4th December, weather permitting. Working hours are 20.00 to 06.00 except 4th Dec when a revised start time of 21.00hrs will be in place (to help with the Haslemere shopping night – click on poster below and please help to support all our local businesses).

Limits are the junction of Polecat Hill in the North (including the section across the junction) and the Jn Lion Lane. The works teams will isolate the section across the junction with Polecat Hill so that it can be worked on and then the closure can be moved forwards, which will allow the junction to be re-opened.

There will be ‘Gatemen’ stationed at either end of the closure. Armed with ‘Walkie Talkies’ they will be in direct contact with each other and the workforce and will be able to direct any residents living off of the closed section of road so that they can be informed as to whether they can access their residence through the works at that point or if they need to follow the diversion round (or any other suitable way they may know) and gain access via the other end of the closure. VMS signs are in place and signs and letter drops have taken place.

And finally…

Derby Road East outside St Bartholomew’s Primary School has now been repaired. The council has appreciated the e-mails and tweets with thanks from The Headteacher at St. Bartholomew’s, the Derby Road and Weydown Road Residents’ Association and town residents.

Temporary Road Closure – Sturt Road (A287) – begins 3rd Nov 2014

NOTICE

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

(A287) STURT ROAD, HASLEMERE

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2014

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSE TO MAKE the above mentioned Temporary Order (“this Order”) under Section 14(1) to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Act”), the effect of which will be to temporarily prohibit vehicles from entering or proceeding in that length of (A287) Sturt Road, Haslemere, between its junction with (B2131) Liphook Road and its junction with the access road used to enter The Herons Swimming and Fitness Centre, a distance of 175 metres.

This Order is required to enable Network Rail to replace damaged warning chevrons at the railway bridge. These works are anticipated to be carried out over three nights between the hours of 21.30hrs and 05.30hrs from the 3^rd November 2014 within the two-week period of operation of this Order that commences on 3^rd November 2014. Advanced warning signs will be displayed and the temporary closure will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Access will be maintained for pedestrians. No access to any property will be affected. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles via the signed diversion route.

Vehicular traffic will be diverted via Sturt Road, Midhurst Road, Shepherds Hill, Lower Street, Wey Hill, Lion Green, Junction Place and Liphook Road.

Authorising Officer: R Bolton

Local Highway Services Group Manager

Any Enquiries relating to this notice should be directed to:

Traffic Regulation Orders Team

Surrey County Council – Highways

Hazel House

Merrow Lane

Guildford

Surrey GU4 7BQ

Tel: 0300 200 1003

Councillor Update for Haslemere October 2014

Here’s an update of some of my activities from the past few weeks.

MAJOR LOCAL PROJECTS

1. A286 Gasden Lane to Beech Road currently being resurfaced. Road closures and diversions are in operation between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Drivers have access to A286 before 9.30am even when road appears closed due to signage. Residents’ letter here.

Businesses in Haslemere, Grayswood and Brook are all still open. I have raised my concerns over the impact of closures on local businesses and issues with communication with SCC Highways. Businesses can claim for losses via SCC website. The council would need to compare income records for the last three years to establish a case for a claim, which SCC will consider.

2. A286 Hindhead Road, ( from Polecat Lane junction to Lion Green Tesco lights) resurfaced under winter maintenance program, work to start mid Oct 2014: Major roadwork delays.

3. Critchmere Hill triangle to be resurfaced Oct/November 2014 under winter maintenance program.

4. Deepdene Embankment – major maintenance new retaining wall – Oct- Dec, 2014

5. Derby Road East, St Bartholomew’s School due for repair during Oct half term.

5. Passenger Transport Review:

SCC is carrying out review of local transport services in the county, with the aim of making significant savings in this area over the next three years. The views of residents and partners will from a key part the review, and we have therefore launched a consultation. I would welcome your support in letting as many residents know about the consultation and encouraging them to give us their views via the online survey. https://www.surreysays.co.uk/e-i-directorate-programme-group/local-transport-review

The aim of the review is to make savings while maintaining the services that residents rely on most, such as services that get people to work, hospitals and schools. To help achieve this, we have launched a public consultation, running from now until 14 January 2015. Plans will only be drawn up after residents, partners, bus-user groups and other stakeholders have had their say.

Alongside consulting with residents and other stakeholders, the review will also include development in the following areas:

· Better procurement of local bus contracts

· Better use of developer contributions to support services

· Joint marketing with bus operators to increase the viability of Surrey’s bus market.

To take part in the consultation residents and stakeholders can complete the online survey, which will be widely promoted via our website and other digital channels. Here is the survey again: https://www.surreysays.co.uk/e-i-directorate-programme-group/local-transport-review

6. Haslemere Vision consultation results are now available: Results here.

6. Haslemere Town Council, Oct 15 2014 formal agreement to support a 20mph pilot scheme. I will now take this to the next Haslemere and Western Villages Task Group (HWVTG) on Nov 3, 2014 to take forward.

7. Waverley Borough Council Local Plan. The consultation closed on Friday. I am concerned that the 4 options being presented as possible scenarios include Dunsfold, as, until the transport infrastructure issues with that option are resolved, it is not actually a viable option. The Youth Campus in Wey Hill is identified as a key site for housing but the huts are a key community asset, l am concerned that an equal or better provision for all the groups that use the site is found before houses are built.

HIGHWAYS UPDATE TO HASLEMERE TOWN COUNCIL

Waverley Local Area Committee Funded Highways Improvement Schemes 2013/14 and 2014/15

Fosters Bridge flooding: improvements feasibility study 12 months late, to be delivered Oct 2014, actions to be discussed at Haslemere and Western Villages TG Nov 3 2014.

Shepherds Hill/Courts Hill Road crossing pedestrian safety improvement: feasibility study delivered to November 3 2014 HWVTG.

Crtichmere Hill/Hindhead Road junction safety improvements: feasibility study delivered to HWVTG Nov 3 2014.

High Street Railings, outside Clayton’s- currently in dilapidated state. Highways agreed to replace by Christmas, 2014.

Cycle/pedestrian network for Haslemere: feasibility study delayed, will not be delivered to Nov 3 2014 HWVTG. Met with local members of Waverley Cycle Forum and local cyclists to discuss priorities for Haslemere cycle/walking network to input to feasibility study.

“Gateways” on approaches in Haslemere: location design and to be discussed at Nov 3 2014 TG, and then discussed with partners, HTC and WBC.

ADDITIONAL HIGHWAYS ISSUES

Haslemere High Street, requested police speed radar check to be installed.

Grayswood Infant School, met with Traffic Liaison Group – highly effective local stakeholder group working to reduce the impact of increased traffic/parking resulting from school expansion to full primary. Initiatives include walking bus, kiss and drop and staggered school start. Met with SCC Highways to request road safety improvements including additional anti-skid on A286/Lower Street junction during current resurfacing, and new drop curbs opposite school.

Shottermill Infant School, discussions with leadership team on how improve Lion Lane crossing safety. Zebra crossing option to be taken to Nov HWVTG.

Weydown Road community speed watch: joined members of the team. Initiative to reduce traffic speeds.

Gullies: discussed at Environment and Transport Select Committee, Sept 10, 2014. New Conway contract to survey 180,000 gullies in Surrey measuring silt levels and ranking each as high, medium and low flooding risk. High risk will be jetted on 6 month cycle, medium risk on 12 month cycle and low risk on 28 month cycle. At the committee I raised my concerns that residents reporting blocked gullies via SCC website often received an unsatisfactory response, with poor, if any, follow up.

Haslemere Train Station, Local Sustainable Transport Funded Two Parks Project in partnership with SWT and SCC passenger transport plans to reconfigure the train station forecourt to make it safer for bus, pedestrian and cycle access. Met with SCC project leader to discuss the planned changes to raise my concerns that the scheme must be more integrated into a wider traffic management scheme for Lower Street, and that public engagement is vital if the scheme is to be a success.

Lengthsman scheme funding, liaising with HTC to use this local fund to resolve local gully and vegetation issues, particularly urgent problems that can take time for SCC to address.

A3 Tunnel/Critchmere Road – Traffic impact report still waiting to be supplied by highways.

HASLEMERE EVENTS/MEETINGS

In my September update, I wrote about the Skatepark Summer Event which was supported with grant from my Members Allocation. I have also supported application for SCC Community Grants, delighted park has been awarded £30,000 grant for park reburbishment.

Haslemere Food Bank, in my September update I forgot to mention the Haslemere Food Bank and my attendance at the first annual meeting in July 2014. Significant increase in demand over the first year of operation. First 6 months of operation July-Dec 2013, 129 people receiving food parcels (60 adults/47 children receiving repeat packs). Jan- June 2014, (240 people received food packs, 81 adults and 85 children receiving repeat packs.)

Divisional Visit by SCC Director of Environment and Transport, a pleasure to welcome the Director to Haslemere and raise a number of local issues which he has agreed to follow up.

Haslemere Sports Awards Evening, Oct 14, 2014 Georgian House Hotel, delighted to present an award, so impressed by our young talented sportsmen and women, and the dedication of volunteer coaches and parents.

Haslemere Library summer reading challenge, prize giving. I presented Jacob Brewer and Xabi Hawkins with the prize of a free DVD voucher which they won in the prize draw after completing the Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge treasure hunt.Haslemere Library runs a weekly children’s book club, and half term circus skills workshop (see website).

Attended very enjoyable relaunch – “A New Chapter” – of Haslemere Bookshop. Their re-launch raised £200 for The Alzheimers Society

Embedded image permalink

Undershaw, Hindhead Planning Application for change of use to accommodate an extension of the existing Stepping Stones, an innovative and highly successful school for children with learning and physical difficulties. I have given this application my full support (more here).

SCC/LAC Meetings Attended

Local Area Committee Private Meeting: Waverley Borough Council Local Plan: housing consultation

Surrey CC Full Council – see here for information.

Local Area Committee – see here for Committee papers.

Invitation to help Wey Hill in Bloom planting & to attend their AGM

Wey Hill In Bloom would like to invite residents to help with this year’s winter / spring planting. Work will start to clear the summer bedding plants from the Haslewey/Locality Office gardens and all of the planters in Wey Hill and Junction Place on Tuesday October 7^th and will culminate with the planting of the 2015 spring flower display on Saturday October 11^th.

If you can help then please contact Ken Griffiths on 07860 263055 for details

2014 AGM

The Wey Hill In Bloom Committee would also like to invite you to this year’s Annual General Meeting which is to take place at the Haslewey Community Centre on Monday October 12^th, starting at 6:00 pm.

Please do try to attend as the Committee would appreciate your views on the planting, maintenance and look for both Wey Hill and Junction Place in 2015.

Diversion Liphook Road – Temporary Prohibition of Traffic Order

LIPHOOK ROAD (B2131), HASLEMERE

TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC ORDER 2014

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 Liphook Road (B2131), Haslemere that is crossed by the railway bridge and for a distance of fifteen metres either side. This Traffic Order is required to enable an examination of the railway bridge and/or maintenance works on behalf of Network Rail.

These works are anticipated to be carried out between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00 within one night of the three month period of operation of this Temporary Order that commences on 6th October 2014.

The closure will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Due to the likelihood of danger to the public and serious damage to the road, it will not be possible to maintain any access through this temporary closure however no only means of access to any property will be affected and advanced notification will be given. In the event that it is necessary to restrict any access at any time under Section 3 of the Act, the road can only be closed for a maximum of 8 hours in any 24-hour period.

Vehicular traffic will be diverted via Liphook Road, Shottermill Road, Liphook Road, Sturt Road, Camelsdale Road and Shottermill Road. See here: Liphook Road – Diversion.

A286 roadworks delayed

I heard earlier today that the A286 resurfacing has been put back from the planned start next Monday 29 September by two weeks. BT very recently notified SCC that they want to cable the A286 for high speed broadband – this has the backing of the Leader – so they will be going in on Monday for two weeks with surfacing to follow. I understand they plan to use existing ducts but are likely to need to dig down where they encounter obstructions, so it is best they go in ahead of us and in advance of the five year embargo on excavation for planned works once the new surface is in. The electronic signs will be changed to read ‘Road closed for BT works’ or similar.

Announcement from Haslemere Vision

Haslemere Vision press release, 10th September 2014, from Stewart Brown, Chair of Haslemere Vision.

Dear Volunteers,

As you know we closed our Stage 1 Consultation on August 31st and I am pleased to report that we have received some 690 responses which, given the length and complexity of the document, is a very respectable result. A huge thank you to all who helped to encourage this response by handing out leaflets and lobbying friends and contacts!

The analysis of responses is now under way and, when it is complete, the results will guide the drafting of policies for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Plan relating to the stage 1 topics including traffic, transport, parking, business and the local economy and the exercise of community rights. We are planning to present and discuss the preliminary analysis at the Georgian House Hotel on the evening of Tuesday September 23rd. This should be a very interesting session and you are cordially invited. We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us.

The presentation will commence at 8:15 pm at the Georgian House Hotel on Tuesday September 23rd and will be preceded by the first AGM of Haslemere Vision Ltd which you are all welcome to attend.

Please put the date in your diary and join us. If you plan attend would you please let me know by Friday September 19th, if possible, so that we have an idea of numbers.

With very best wishes

Stewart Brown