Category Archives: Haslemere first

Review of Surrey Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The draft review of the Review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is available on the County Council web site via this link or using the search term Review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan on the County Council home page: www.surreycc.gov.uk

The date for comments on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan is Friday 9th May.

Also available for comment and can and downloaded is the ‘Environmental Report for the Surrey Rights of Way Improvement Plan Review 2014’ and a Non-Technical Summary of this report. The closing date for comments on the Environmental Report is Friday 13th June.

Please send forward comment by email to: alec.baxterbrown@surreycc.gov.uk

or by post to:  Alec Baxter-Brown, Surrey County Council, Countryside Access, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Complex, Merrow Lane, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7BQ (please address comments as ‘Rights of Way Improvement Plan Comments’).

Parking Review Update – Permits in West Street and St Christopher’s Place

Just to let you know that the shared use bays (1 hour or permit holders) proposed in St Christopher’s Green and West Street Service Road (opposite the fire station) are now being advertised until 2 May.

On Friday afternoon the parking team at Surrey County Council letter dropped all the St Christopher’s Green, Popes Mead, Chestnut Avenue, West Street and Bridge Road properties that are allowed to get permits in area J.

This is in addition to the usual street notices and newspaper advertisement. The SCC website was updated today to reflect this. See here.

The main advertisement closed on 4 April and the parking team is currently going through all the comments and objections ready for the 9 May Committee meeting.

Shepherds Hill Roadworks

The Shepherds Hill roadworks began two nights ago in Haslemere.

Shepherds Hill roadworks

The work needs to take place at night as this is an A-road and is a full re-surfacing. I have been contacted by residents on Twitter, Facebook and by e-mail complaining about the noise. The “siren” noise is due to the vehicles reversing and cannot be disabled for health and safety reasons.

There will be no weekend work.

The Lower Street/Shepherds Hill junction will be done on Monday and Tuesday night.

I hope the inconvenience of the noise will be nothing like as great as the joy of having a pothole free road!

Minutes of Waverley LAC March 2014 Meeting

Here are the minutes of the March 2014 Waverley Local Area Committee.

Venue: Haslemere Hall, Bridge Road, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2AS

Contact: David North, Community Partnership & Committee Officer  Godalming Social Services Centre, Bridge Street, Godalming, GU7 1LA

 
No. Item
1/14 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCETo receive any apologies for absence.Minutes:

Apologies were received from Mr B Adams, Mr B Ellis and Mrs V Young; Mr A Young was absent from the meeting until Item 11, having indicated that he would be delayed.
2/14 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 74 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

Minutes:

The minutes were agreed as a correct record.
3/14 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Notes:

  • In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest.
  • Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
  • Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register.
  • Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Minutes:

The following members requested that a non-pecuniary interest be noted in Item 9, specifically in relation to the applications for Highways Localism funding, on the grounds of their membership of Farnham Town Council: Mrs P Frost, Mrs C Cockburn, Ms J Potts.
4/14 PETITIONS

To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting. Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

Minutes:

No petitions had been received.
5/14 FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS PDF 45 KB

To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Waverley Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

Minutes:

The text of two public questions received and the responses provided are attached at Annex 1.

Mr D Pope, in a supplementary question to the response provided to Ms J Godden in relation to the on-street parking proposal for Courts Hill Road (West), expressed his continued concern that the response had not addressed the question presented.  Residents feel that the proposal, if implemented, would result in unsafe traffic movements.  He asked that the results of the statutory consultation be presented to the Committee along with details of objections and reasons for the recommendation.

 

The Chairman explained the process by which objections would be assessed and undertook to ensure that the proposal for this location returns to the Committee for decision.
6/14 MEMBER QUESTIONS PDF 56 KB

To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47.

Minutes:

The text of four member questions received and the responses provided are attached at Annex 2.

Supplementary questions were presented as follows:

1.         Mr R Knowles restated his concern that the signage for diversions away from the A3 remains inadequate and sought reassurance that progress was being made.  The Vice-Chairman, as Chairman of the County Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Select Committee, confirmed that following a multi-agency meeting agreement had been secured from the Highways Agency for a programme of improvements which an officer working group was developing.  The Area Highways Manager was asked to circulate an update to members on the proposed measures.

2.         Mr D Munro asked for further detail on what the County Council and Local Committee can do to promote the needs of Farnham under the Local Enterprise Partnership’s funding regime for transport schemes.  The Chairman explained that further detail would be provided in a report at the next meeting of the Committee.

4.         Mr S Cosser thanked officers for the rapid response to his urgent question.  He requested clarity on the prospect of at least one-way working not being feasible in Frith Hill Road and, in this event, the likelihood of remedial work being prioritised.  He also sought assurance that he and the local residents’ association would be kept informed.  The Area Highways Manager outlined the work needing to be undertaken before a decision on one-way working could be made: if feasible, partial re-opening on this basis would be at least two months away.  Prioritisation of remedial works following flood damage is now under way, but it is likely that A-roads would take precedence.  Mr Cosser and the residents’ association would be informed of progress.
7/14 DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SURREY PDF 329 KB

To agree to support the objectives of the Dementia Friendly initiative.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the progress of the Dementia Friendly Surrey project.

(ii)        Note the particular work being done to make Waverley more dementia-friendly.

(iii)       Agree that the whole Committee become a collective Dementia Friendly Champion, Mr S Cosser acting as lead member.

Reason

Local Committees and members are very well-placed to help carry on the work of Dementia Friendly Surrey, making our communities better places to live for people with dementia, their family and carers.

Minutes:

The Committee noted that the role of Champion would contribute to widening awareness of dementia and reducing stigma; Champions would also be involved in sustaining the initiative in the longer term.  Members referred to the increasing pressure on day centres and the positive difference being made through increased awareness of dementia.

Mr S Cosser felt that there would be a benefit in the whole Committee making a commitment to the project and offered to keep members involved in its future evolution.  The Chair put this proposal to the Committee and it was agreed as (iii) below.

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the progress of the Dementia Friendly Surrey project.

(ii)        Note the particular work being done to make Waverley more dementia-friendly.

(iii)       Agree that the whole Committee become a collective Dementia Friendly Champion, Mr S Cosser acting as lead member.

Reason

Local Committees and members are very well-placed to help carry on the work of Dementia Friendly Surrey, making our communities better places to live for people with dementia, their family and carers.
8/14 RESPONSE TO PETITION: BRAMLEY PDF 40 KB

To agree a response to the petition presented at the previous meeting.

Decision:

Resolved to note the response to the petition.

Reason

The Committee is required to respond to petitions received.

Minutes:

Resolved to note the response to the petition.

Reason

The Committee is required to respond to petitions received.
9/14 HIGHWAYS UPDATE PDF 79 KB

To note the progress made and the status of schemes, to consider the allocation of funding to support flooding recovery and to consider applications for funding under the highways localism scheme for 2014-15.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the effects of the recent extreme weather across Waverley and Surrey.

(ii)        Agree that up to £50,000 be allocated from the 2014/15 budget towards flood recovery works organised by the Area Team.

(iii)       Agree to note the 2014/15 Localism (Lengsthman) scheme applications submitted by Chiddingfold Parish Council, Dunsfold Parish Council, First Wessex (Sandy Hill and The Chantrys), Hambledon Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council and Farnham Town Council and that an application from Western Villages had now been received, and to delegate final approval of the total funding granted to each project to the Area Highways Manager, in consultation with local members and subject to officer scrutiny to ensure that the proposed works fall within the remit of the scheme.

(iv)       Agree to review the principles and process to be adopted for the allocation of the Localism (Lengsthman) budget in future years.

Reason

The Committee recognised the need to contribute to flood recovery in Waverley and to support local enhanced maintenance on the highway through the Highways Localism scheme.

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked officers for the work done in partnership during the recent extreme weather.

Officers were asked to consider whether the legal delays experienced in the Marshall Road scheme should be escalated for resolution at a higher level.

It was confirmed that the data in Annex 1 of the report referred to the 2013/14 programme only.  The proposed allocation of £50,000 to flood recovery would be taken from the uncommitted sum for 2014/15.  The extent of damage is currently being assessed and it is likely that remedial work to surfaces will begin in April.  The poor quality of some repairs and early failures reflect the difficulty experienced by the contractor in complying with required timescales in adverse environmental conditions: the cost of remedial work is borne by the contractor.

The Committee discussed funding for the Highways Localism scheme, noting that an application from Western Villages had now been received by officers.  Some members continued to express their unease at the lack of equity experienced by areas where the parish council had not wished to submit an application; there was also concern at the lack of progress on a review of the processes involved.  The Chairman proposed amended recommendations, which were agreed by the Committee as (iii) and (iv) below.

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the effects of the recent extreme weather across Waverley and Surrey.

(ii)        Agree that up to £50,000 be allocated from the 2014/15 budget towards flood recovery works organised by the Area Team.

(iii)       Agree to note the 2014/15 Localism (Lengsthman) scheme applications submitted by Chiddingfold Parish Council, Dunsfold Parish Council, First Wessex (Sandy Hill and The Chantrys), Hambledon Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council and Farnham Town Council and that an application from Western Villages had now been received, and to delegate final approval of the total funding granted to each project to the Area Highways Manager, in consultation with local members and subject to officer scrutiny to ensure that the proposed works fall within the remit of the scheme.

(iv)       Agree to review the principles and process to be adopted for the allocation of the Localism (Lengsthman) budget in future years.

Reason

The Committee recognised the need to contribute to flood recovery in Waverley and to support local enhanced maintenance on the highway through the Highways Localism scheme.
10/14 OPERATION HORIZON: UPDATE FOR WAVERLEY PDF 39 KB

To review progress in the first year and consider the programme for the second and subsequent years of the project.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to note:

(i)         The success of the countywide five-year programme in Year One.

(ii)        The progress of Operation Horizon roads, surface treatment  roads and changes in Year One in Waverley as set out in Annex 1 of the report.

(iii)       The proposed programme of Operation Horizon roads for Waverley for Year Two (2014/15) and the remaining approved roads to be undertaken in Years Three to Five (2015-2018) listed in Annex 1of the report.

Reason

The Committee requested an update of the project at the end of year one and an opportunity to review the programme for future years.

Minutes:

The Committee welcomed the progress made in Year 1 and the high quality of the work completed.  In view of the significant and costly damage sustained by the network over the winter, discussions are under way with central government with a view to bringing a plan for remediation to the full County Council in April.  There may be an impact on the Horizon programme, but it is hoped that this can be preserved.

The Committee discussed the extent and timing of individual schemes in the programme.  It was noted that members needed reasons for adjustments to the programme.  Officers had acknowledged that local committee members should be provided with more detailed and timely information on progress and changes and enhanced communication methods were under consideration.  It was pointed out that the requirements of developers presented a particular challenge in scheduling work in Waverley and officers were collaborating with Planning colleagues on this point.  Officers were reminded that multiple road closures in a relatively small area might have a major impact on traffic flows across a much larger area.

Resolved to note:

(i)         The success of the countywide five-year programme in Year One.

(ii)        The progress of Operation Horizon roads, surface treatment  roads and changes in Year One in Waverley as set out in Annex 1 of the report.

(iii)       The proposed programme of Operation Horizon roads for Waverley for Year Two (2014/15) and the remaining approved roads to be undertaken in Years Three to Five (2015-2018) listed in Annex 1of the report.

Reason

The Committee requested an update of the project at the end of Year One and an opportunity to review the programme for future years.
11/14 ROAD SAFETY POLICY UPDATE PDF 57 KB

To comment on a draft update to the County Council’s policy on setting local speed limits and a new draft policy to address road safety outside schools, including school crossing patrols.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to request that the Committee’s comments on the draft policies be noted and taken into account, prior to the policies being submitted to the County Council’s Cabinet for approval.

Reason

Local Committees are responsible for most highway and transport matters in their area, including speed limits and road safety measures outside schools. This report presented draft road safety policies with respect to speed limits and road safety outside schools for comment by the Local Committee prior to submission to the County Council’s Cabinet for approval.

Minutes:

[Mr A Young joined the meeting at this point.]

The following observations were made by way of contribution to the consultation:

  • The phrase “outside schools” needs to be interpreted with some latitude, as roads, paths and hazards at some distance may have an impact on the safety of students’ journeys to school and on the range of travel options considered by families.
  • Extensive parking in roads around schools can have a significant impact on safety.
  • The acknowledgement that signage alone has little impact on speeds was welcomed.
  • It was proposed that local committees should be entrusted with making correct decisions on speed limits, even if their decisions are contrary to Police and/or officer advice: it was suggested that referral to the Cabinet member should be by exception, e.g. through a call-in procedure or perhaps in relation to strategic routes.
  • Although low-cost interventions can be delivered quickly, substantial schemes are likely to take a long time to implement.
  • The provision of signage should be balanced against the wish of some neighbourhoods to “declutter” and resist urbanisation.
  • The impact of building developments on the safety of routes to school must be taken into account and incorporated in the planning process.
  • There should be a greater emphasis on the role that schools and parents themselves can have in promoting road safety.

Resolved to request that the Committee’s comments on the draft policies be noted and taken into account, prior to the policies being submitted to the County Council’s Cabinet for approval.

Reason

Local Committees are responsible for most highway and transport matters in their area, including speed limits and road safety measures outside schools. This report presented draft road safety policies with respect to speed limits and road safety outside schools for comment by the Local Committee prior to submission to the County Council’s Cabinet for approval.
12/14 LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME PDF 34 KB

To note the proposed forward programme and agree any additional items for inclusion.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved to agree the Forward Programme as outlined in Annex 1 of the report.

Reason

Members were asked to comment on the Forward Programme so that officers can publicise the meetings and prepare the necessary reports.

Minutes:

The Chairman informed the Committee that some reports scheduled for the June meeting would be moved to September to ensure a better balance in the size of agendas.  The wish to develop an understanding of Children’s Services was expressed.

Resolved to agree the Forward Programme as outlined in Annex 1 of the report.

Reason

Members were asked to comment on the Forward Programme so that officers can publicise the meetings and prepare the necessary reports.

 

Temporary Traffic Signals Along A286

I would like to inform you of some works due to start on April 7 2014. SSE will be undertaking works to renew High Voltage electricity cables utilising temporary traffic signals along the Grayswood Road between Highercombe Road and Lower Road.

The works are essential and are to replace electricity cables which (as I am sure you are aware), have recently failed resulting in many residents being left with generators providing their electricity supply. The works have an anticipated duration of approximately one month.

In order to minimise traffic congestion we have permitted the works to start early and utilise the Easter break when schools will be closed.

Whilst works along this road are never desirable removing generators and providing residents with a new robust electricity supply would seem paramount.

Haslemere Councillor Update For Recent Weeks

County Councillor Update March 19 2014

LOCAL WORK IN HASLEMERE

Finalised Spend of Members’ Allocation 2013/2014

  • Haslemere Town Council: Replacement tree bottom of Shepherds Hill: £200
  • Crossways Counselling Service: setting up new couples and families branch: £2400
  • Waverley Borough Council: Waverley Skate parks project 2013: £500
  • SCC Corporate Parenting: Look after children savings fund: £500
  • Haslemere First Responders: 2 full responder medical kits including mobile defibrillators: £2000
  • The Wave Volunteer Project: New hedge cutter: £552
  • Haslemere and District Scouts: Mess tent, hiking tents and events tent: £765
  • Tennyson’s Sure Start Centre:  Wet weather clothing for One O Clock Club: £400
  • Haslemere Town Youth Football Club: Exchange program for parents and children: £500
  • Haslemere Hockey Club: After school hockey program: £2426
  • Citizens’ Advice Bureau: Enhancement of service provision: £600
  • Haslemere Library:  Art and crafts for the Under 5s: £150
  • SCC Travel and Transport Group: New bus shelter at Critchmere/Border Road Junction: £5200

Total expenditure:

  • Revenue £12,876
  • Local Committee Capital £3,888

Multi-Storey Car Park (MSCP)

Invited by Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport to join an MSCP working group following a letter I sent to his offices expressing my concerns about the proposals to push through a MSCP without full consideration of all the facts. Attendees at the meeting: representatives from SWT, Dept for Transport, MP Jeremy Hunt’s office, HTC, WBC, Haslemere Chamber, SCC parking team.

DfT representative explained that the finances of a multi-deck MSCP at Haslemere train station don’t stack up because the additional revenue from any extra spaces provided at the station are included as ‘costs’ rather than revenue.  This is because all day parkers would incur a ‘cost’ in losing their access to free on-street parking having been effectively ‘driven’ into the MSCP by yellow lining and parking restrictions.

SWT agree to pursue the additional 60 spaces on the Jewson’s side of the tracks currently used as a bus depot and to carry out a cost/benefit analysis for a single storey construction at the station. This would be a cheaper option (£2.5 m) and could provide an additional 150 spaces which is it presumed would be filled by those on the season ticket waiting list. I agreed this could a viable be an option if 1) no town wide, all day on-street parking controls were required, 2)  a proper, open and transparent public consultation was carried out, 3) a new planning application was submitted subject to full traffic and environmental impact assessments.

I also stressed that any decision on the MSCP should be made on the basis of what is right for Haslemere, not on political expediency and that I assumed that Haslemere Town Council would consult publicly if it intended to raise the precept/local taxes in order to provide a large contribution to the MSCP.

I continue to believe a holistic transport strategy for Haslemere is needed going forward. The one deck MSCP and the use of the bus depot space should provide an additional 210 spaces at the station freeing parking space on our streets but only for a short period and then what?  In the longer term more parking at the station will attract more cars, increase traffic/congestion and pollution in the town.

There is potential for more creative transport thinking, Haslemere Vision is currently considering these issues. For example, season ticket data shows that a cluster of 338 commuters live in and around Fernhurst, suggesting opportunities for car and taxi shares/hoppa buses. In the longer term, a park and ride may be a viable option given the prospect of large housing developments to the south of the town.

Shepherds Hill/Lower Street

Project Horizon repair: Shepherds Hill to be fully reconstructed starting April 1st, 6 nights of road closure 20.00-06.00 hrs. Courts Hill Road and The Avenue to follow in immediate sequence.

Shepherds Hill/Lower Street Railings: the case has been referred to SCC Customer Care team who deal with complaints across all services.  Haslemere Town Council Planning and Highways Committee has submitted an objection to the railings. The railings were the project of ex-Councillor Renshaw and cost £40,000 (Members allocation, plus Local Area Committee contribution).

Lower Street pavement resurfacing: recent resurfacing was carried out as part of the above project.

Shepherds Hill tree: Agreed that existing split tree should be removed, and contributed £200 for new tree to be planted on adjacent grassy area, however investigations have revealed an air raid shelter too near the surface to plant a significant new tree. New discussions to enhance this ‘pocket park’, options include planting a number of smaller trees, bench and possible art work.

Shepherds Hill angled parking. In January last year this change from angled to parallel parking was over-ruled by the SCC committee as 1) there had been no reported accidents here, 2) it provides vital parking spaces for the shops and 3) it provides vital parking for residents of Lower Street and Shepherds Hill who have no off street parking.

Haste Hill: agreement with WBC and HTC to remove old railings and replace with wooden posts.

Derby Road, St Bartholomew’s School: reached agreement with SCC that potholes will be repaired, anticipated repair date during Easter holidays.

Serpent Trail Launch Event, Friday June 13th, 2014:  Working with SCC and other partners to organise a community walk to celebrate and promote the upgraded Serpent Trail section linking Haslemere to the South Downs National Park.  All will be welcome to join, more information to follow.

Haslemere and train station identified as ‘gateway’ to South Downs National Park as part of Two Parks Project.  Local Sustainable Transport Funding (£150,000) has upgraded the Serpent Bridal path from the Petworth Road, will provide new route signage, support a Sunday public service to Midhurst during summer months and fund a reconfiguration of the train station forecourt to facilitate bus use.

Wey Hill Fairground Public Inquiry Cancelled: Waverley Borough Council dropped their application to redevelop the Wey Hill Fairground site and turn it in to a pay and display car park. I strongly objected to the proposal, and regret the waste of public money in pursuing this application given the very high levels of public opposition that forced a public inquiry to be held.

Letterbox pilot project: Community building initiative as part of Families, Friends and Communities project to increase social capital in a local area.  Haslemere has been identified as a pilot town for Letterbox. The project will start by end of March, and will start with a letter drop, followed by a series of conversations with residents to understand their interests, their needs and what they are willing to do to help others in the area.  Participants in the project will also be offered membership to an on-line community forum.

SCC Highways Strategy meeting: Discussions with SCC transport strategy team on the issue of transport and movement data available for Haslemere, essential for the development of a holistic transport strategy and to support the work of Haslemere Vision. Agreement that data available will be pulled together by SCC intern during summer 2014, data gaps to be identified with a view to further research.

Conservation Area Appraisal for Haslemere: Input as member of CAA working group, following acceptance by WBC executive CAA report will be available for six weeks of public consultation, estimated to start from 14th April subject to approval by WBC’s Executive on 1st April..

Followed up on resident requests including:

  • Street lights out in Whitfield Road Haslemere.
  • Discussions about potholes throughout the town, and in Kings Road, Hindhead Road, Shepherds Hill. Please report all potholes online here. You’ll find the Highways Incident Claim here on SCC’s website here.
  • Referred the double yellow lines parking outside the station to the parking enforcement officers and the police.
  • Request for directional spikes to prevent drivers exiting the train station via entrance would have to be dealt with by Network Rail as the owners of that land
  • Midhurst Road/Hill Road speed checks
  • VAS speed sign on approach to High Street vandalised, waiting for new parts
  • Alley way down to Waitrose from zebra crossing, concerns over vehicle use and lack of hand rail, a problem when icy, referred to SCC highways
  • Verge damage due to parking Beech Road
  • Bus pass information
  • Council tax increase
  • Several meetings with residents as part of the current parking review consultation which ends on April 4th

Notification of requirement for a new school governor. A Haslemere Primary School looking for a governor: One of our excellent local schools is looking for a governor to join the governing body, please do contact me if you would be interested in knowing more.

MEETINGS/EVENTS ATTENDED: Jan-March 2014

Various site meetings with SCC highways and parking teams, met with new CHO Robert Mac Pherson, replacing Ian Fowler who is being seconded to Guildford team

Full council yesterday Kingston and RA/Independent Group meetings, Kingston

National Library Day event, Haslemere Library

Dr Helen Bowcock, High Sheriff of Surrey, reception to celebrate her very successful Shrieval year.

Haslemere Herald, reception to open new offices in King’s Road.

 

Haslemere Vision, Transport group and policy writing.

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL NOTICES for Haslemere

Parking Review: formal advertising of the parking proposals approved at committee in December began 7th March.

See my blog post last week about the consultation and deadlines to submit comments.

Local area Committee meeting takes place on 21st March. See my recent blog post relating to this here.

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL NOTICES county-wide

Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award: Reading Groups are busy reading the 5 brilliant books shortlisted for this year’s Surrey Libraries’ Children’s Book Award. They are looking forward to a visit from one of the shortlisted authors and will be voting for their favourite book. The winner will be announced at the Award Ceremony at the H G Wells Centre in Woking on 30th April. There is still time for other schools to join in with the Award.  For more information, go to our Book Award web pages – www.surreycc.gov.uk/childrensbookaward. Hashtag on Twitter is #OffThePageAward.

Public Consultation: Review of the Surrey Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).

We are inviting comments on a review of the County Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The Plan was first published in 2007, this is the first review (Copy of Draft here).

We are seeking the views of path users and those with an interest in access to Surrey’s countryside including land managers, owners and neighbouring authorities. Government guidance states that the Rights of Way Improvement Plan should be reviewed once in every ten years, and DEFRA Statutory Guidance (Nov 2002) indicates the Plan should include:

·        context / relation to other plans, statutory duties and responsibilities

·       an assessment of user needs, including duties with respect to people with mobility problems

·       an assessment of the rights of way network based on the definitive statement

·       a statement of action and indication of how the action will be delivered

·        a monitoring arrangement for implementation

The criterion for this review is a ‘light touch’; however there have been changes to a number of linked plans and strategies since 2007, particularly with respect to policy context. Our five key objectives for improving rights of way have not changed.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan forms part of the Surrey Transport Plan.

Improving and promoting the public rights of way network can contribute towards many County Council priorities set out in the STP and other plans and strategies, including some targets for health and well-being.  Please do forward this on to anyone who may have an interest or may wish to comment.

The Surrey Transport Plan is available on the County Councils web site:

www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/surrey-transport-plan-ltp3

The closing date for comments is Friday of 9th May 2014. You may send comments by email to: alec.baxterbrown@surreycc.gov.uk

or by post to:  Alec Baxter-Brown, Surrey County Council, Countryside Access, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Complex, Merrow Lane, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7BQ (please address comments as ‘Rights of Way Improvement Plan Comments’).

Full list of Surrey County Council duties:

There are a great number of new duties that local government has been required to take on since 2010. Here is a full list of duties attached for your information: New Duties for Local Government since 2010.

Scrutiny Bulletin

February’s Scrutiny Bulletin. It is intended to give a brief summary of the work being undertaken by the Council’s Select Committees, as well as advising you of the dates for the next public meeting of each Committee: Scrutiny Bulletin February 2014.

Phase One Parking Proposals for Haslemere

Site visits for the Waverley-wide parking review were carried out in September and October 2013, with recommendations presented to the Waverley Local Committee on 13 December 2013.

The decisions made at the meeting were recorded in the minutes. Decisions, resolutions and plans.

The recommendations are now being formally advertised. The drawings showing all the locations, by councillor division; are shown bvia this link https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/parking-news-and-updates/parking-news-and-updates-in-waverley.

Should you wish to comment or object to one or more of the proposals, you can do so by completing the feedback form here: Waverley Parking Review.

The closing date for all submissions is Friday 4 April 2014.

Alternatively should you wish to physically view the drawings of the proposals you can do so by visiting one of the following locations during their normal office hours.

  • Haslemere Library, 91 Wey Hill. Haslemere.

In addition please note:

  • That the proposed permit holder only schemes for the shared use parking bays in West Street and St Christopher’s Green, Haslemere will be advertised in April. Please also note that the proposals for these are still shown on the plans.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/parking-news-and-updates/parking-news-and-updates-in-waverley

This is an extract for Haslemere from the committee report.

3.8 HASLEMERE

Weydown Road (24050, 24052, 24116, 24138, 24139) Along the entire length of the road, introduce sections of single yellow line applying 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday in order to prevent parking on both sides of the road in any one place. A section of single yellow closest to Derby Road on the western side of Weydown Road will have a restriction applying only between 3pm to 5pm Monday to Friday in order to benefit visitors to the nearby Church. Weydown Road is currently heavily parked by commuters on both sides of the road which makes the passing of two way traffic very difficult, obstructs sight lines due to the bend in the road and puts cyclists at an increased risk due to their unnatural position in the road. In addition to these proposals, double yellow lines will be provided on the Weydown Road junction with High Lane and the existing single yellow lines by the junction with Derby Road will be upgraded to double yellow.

Derby Road j/w Weydown Road (24052) Upgrade the single yellow lines on this junction to double yellow to maintain sight lines at all times of the day.

High Lane j/w Derby Road and Weycombe Road (24140) Introduce double yellow lines on this staggered set of junctions to maintain sight lines and road safety. In addition, keeping this area clear will help the school crossing patrol officer who works by the Derby Road junction.

Derby Road (24050) West of the junction with Church Road, extend the existing double yellow lines on the north and south side further westwards in order to cover driveways and give better sight lines and access, particularly during school pick up and drop off times. In addition, downgrade the section of 8.30am to 6.30pm single yellow line restriction outside Derby House to the same times are per the remainder of Derby Road (10am to 2.30pm). This will provide additional parking during school pick up and drop off times.

Church Road (24050) Outside the accesses to numbers 15, 17 and 19, introduce two lengths of double yellow lines to improve sight lines for these drives and to limit the parking between the two dropped kerbs to two vehicles as opposed to three vehicles.

Tanners Lane (24055) Extend the existing double yellow lines on both sides of the road to improve traffic flow and sight lines. On the south side the lines will extend up to the Church Green Cottages. On the north side the lines will extend up to the extent of the white dashed edge of carriageway marking by Church Hill Gate.

Bridge Road (24054) Extend the existing double yellow lines by the junction with Popes Mead up to number 13 Bridge Road. This will help with the passing of traffic without impacting too significantly on the current parking practices of Bridge Road residents.

West Street (Service Road by Fire Station) (24054) The residents parking bay here is underused during the day and it is therefore proposed to introduce a free one hour limited waiting period (in addition to permit holders) in order to allow this bay to be used by visitors to the nearby shops as well as by existing resident permit holders.

Sandrock (24117) Opposite numbers 10 and 11, extend the existing double yellow lines opposite the driveway of number 11 to assist with access to and from this drive.

Courts Hill Road (24058, 24117) On the north side introduce 4 lengths of double yellow lines to prevent parking opposite the drives to numbers 1a, 3 to 9, 11 and 15. In Courts Hill Road parking only takes place on the north side and this makes it difficult for residents with properties and driveways located on the south side to exit their driveways. This proposal eradicates this problem throughout the street. In addition, revoke the ‘permit holders only’ parking bay outside Haughton House as this bay is very underused during the day and is causing unnecessary displacement of vehicles to the eastern half of Courts Hill Road.

It is also proposed to allow properties with steep or narrow driveways on the north side Kings Road (24057) Extend the existing double yellow lines on both sides of the road southwards up to and partly beyond the Leisure Centre entrance to prevent parking on this section of bend to maintain sight lines and road safety. This is a change for the TRO only to match the layout currently on the ground.

St Christopher’s Green (24051) On the unrestricted section by the church, introduce a 2 hour limited waiting bay for three vehicles (same restriction as Bunch Lane) in order to provide additional visitor parking for the Church or nearby shops. On the residential side on St Christopher’s Green, extend the existing double yellow lines by the garage to cover the dropped kerb for this garage. In addition, outside properties ‘Dawn Cottage’ and ‘Elmbank’, convert this section of residents bay here to permit holders or 1 hour limited waiting. As this parking bay is underused during the day, having these two end spaces available for visitors to the shops will make better use of the available space.

Lion Green (24056) Outside the Methodist Church, revoke the single yellow line to allow parking during the day but extend the existing double yellow lines that are to the east of the church by approximately two car lengths. This extension of double yellow lines will cover the eastern access to the church and a car length beyond in order to help maintain traffic flow by clearing the white central hatching that reduces the width of the carriageway lanes at this point.

Lion Mead (24056) Increase the limited waiting period on the parking bay from 1 hour to 2 hours in order to give additional time for church visitors.

Lion Lane (24049, 24051) On the north eastern side of Lion Lane, introduce double yellow lines from the junction with Underwood Road (also covering this junction) northwards up to the boundary of numbers 76 and 78 (excluding the lay-by outside numbers 40 to 44). This proposal will significantly improve two way traffic flow by keeping parking on this side within the layby areas only and not allow parking to take place half on and half off the footway which happens during school pick up and drop off times and in the evenings.

Weysprings (24051) Outside number 2, reduce the existing double yellow lines so that they do not cover the dropped kerb for this property. This is at the request of the resident.

Lower Road, Grayswood (24047) On the north side between the existing school keep clear marking and double yellow lines, fill in this gap with additional double yellow lines in order to keep parking on one side of the road only in the vicinity of the Grayswood House entrance and prevent parking by this entrance.

This is consultation only and any comment may be sent to me on nikki.barton@surreycc.gov.uk or David Curl, Parking Strategy & Implementation Team Manager Parking Strategy & Implementation Team Local Highway Services Surrey Highways on 0300 200 1003 or via e-mail  david.curl@surreycc.gov.uk

Next Waverley Local Area Committee Meeting

The next Waverley Local Area Committee meeting will be held on Friday 21st March 2014, at Haslemere Hall.

The meeting will include discussion of:

  • Operation Horizon: highway resurfacing programme
  • Road Safety Policy
  • Dementia Friendly Surrey

Meeting Poster

About Your Local Area Committee Waverley

Waverley Borough Council’s creative arts project starts this Thursday

Waverley Borough Council is funding a creative arts project which places art in day care settings locally. The project aims to give meaning and value to the past and present lives of older people using the arts as a way of accessing and enriching personal memories and life stories. The project is due to start at The Orchard Club, Haslewey Community Centre on Thursday, 27th February at 1.15pm to 2.45pm in the Lounge.

The Orchard Club is able to offer a lift to and from the centre for a small donation.