Category Archives: Haslemere first

Update on Woolmer Hill tree situation in Haslemere

Many residents have contacted me about the tree on Woolmer Hill and the resulting build up of traffic. I have been working with SCC highways on this matter. Here is an update from our highways representative for Haslemere:

“The tree that was originally in question has been cut away and cleared but our tree surgeons discovered a further 4 dangerous trees that are in danger of falling. Where the trees are located unfortunately they require some additional specialist equipment including a crane, digger and cherry picker to carry out these works safely. Unfortunately this takes time to organise but the works will be carried out on within the next couple of days to get all 4 removed. Once again sorry for the inconvenience. ”

Mobile Coronavirus testing in Haslemere, 7 October until 14 October

A mobile Coronavirus testing facility is being established in Weydown Road Car Park, Haslemere, from Wednesday 7 October until Wednesday 14 October.

Testing is available to all those with COVID-19 symptoms, but must be pre-booked online. Booking is open from 5pm the evening before and on the day.

Residents should book on the national testing portal: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

Key workers should book on the government portal: https://www.gov.uk/apply-coronavirus-test-essential-workers

Those without an appointment will be turned away.

Children under the age of 5 can be tested but there will need to be 2 parents or guardians in the vehicle – one driver plus one adult in the back to administer the test (you must not  leave your vehicle once on site). If only one parent is present, you must park away from the test centre and enter on foot, where you will be taken to a different area for testing.

Those without transport can walk into the testing centre, but will also need a pre-booked appointment.

Congratulations to Shottermill Infant School on achieving their Green Flag ECO status award

Congratulations to Shottermill Infant School on achieving their Green Flag ECO status award- thanks to the innovative and sustained efforts of the dedicated teaching staff, green team, pupils and parents. 

The school received their new hot compost bins before lockdown, funded from my SCC Members’ Allocation.  Head Jilly Storey comments – “a huge thank you to you for the grant that enabled us make the huge leap to dealing onsite with our own food waste. We have made our first lot of our own compost and are getting used to the new aromas around the site!”

Best of luck to Head Jilly Storey who is currently shortlisted for the National TES Environmental champion of the year.

Emergency utility works on Farnham Lane, Haslemere

Sent: 28 September 2020 12:55
To: Nikki Barton <Nikki.Barton@surreycc.gov.uk>
Subject: Emergency utility works on Farnham Lane, Haslemere

Dear Councillor,

For your information can I advise you of emergency works being carried out on Farnham Lane, Haslemere (Opposite Bracken Cottage).

Thames Water need to repair a burst water main. The traffic management that is placed is a Road Closure and the estimated end date is the 01/10/2020.

Kind Regards,

Network Coordinator – Waverley

Streetworks Team

Surrey Highways

Emergency utility works on Lower Street, Haslemere

Sent: 24 September 2020 10:37
To: Nikki Barton <Nikki.Barton@surreycc.gov.uk>

Subject: Emergency utility works on Lower Street, Haslemere

Dear Councillor,

For your information can I advise you of emergency works being carried out on Lower Street, Haslemere (Outside 66).

Thames Water need to repair a burst water main. The traffic management that is placed is Two-Way Signals and the estimated end date is the 30/09/2020.

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

Kind Regards,

Network Coordinator – Waverley

Streetworks Team

Surrey Highways

Telephone: 01483 518035

For more information about what we do, please visit
Surrey Highways website

You can follow us on twitter @Surreytravel

Virtual National Rail Awards

At 4pm today, it is the National Rail Awards 2020 Virtual Ceremony

3.30pm – Countdown begins

Log onto the virtual National Rail Awards from 3.30pm. Use this time to set up your personal profile and begin networking with your colleagues and peers.

4.00pm – Virtual National Rail Awards commence

Hosts, BBC’s Huw Edwards, and RAIL‘s Nigel Harris.

Order of categories:

  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Sustainable Business Award
  • Safety Achievement of the Year
  • Infrastructure Achievement of the Year
  • Freight and Logistics Achievement of the Year
  • Innovation of the Year
  • Fleet Excellence
  • Outstanding Teamwork Award
  • Station of the Year (Haslemere is nominated .. read here)
  • Great Place to Work
  • Passenger Operator of the Year
  • Outstanding Personal Contribution

Closing remarks from your hosts and opportunity to continue networking with other registrants.

5.15pm – virtual awards come to a close

Here is an email the Haslemere Community Rail Partnership received earlier today:

From: Mark Hopwood <Mark.Hopwood@swrailway.com>
Date: 17 September 2020 at 9:00:23 am BST

Subject: Good Luck at the National Rail Awards

Dear all,

I wanted to wish you good luck ahead of the National Rail Awards this evening as you compete for the title of Medium Station of the year.

I know how hard you have all worked to make Haslemere a great station for our customers and communities, with flower displays, artwork, and the Haslemere Hub.

Whichever way these awards go, I hope that the hard work you have all made into making Haslemere great continues.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Hopwood

Interim Managing Director

Phasing out use of Pesticides

Message from Waverley Borough Council on phasing out pesticides.

Waverley Borough Council will hopefully be adopting a Pesticides Policy and Action Plan shortly that has been drafted as part of the Councils move towards phasing out the use of pesticides.   In order to help deliver the action plan we are looking to start the undertaking of trials of pesticide free products as an alternative to the traditional Glyphosate based products to control weeds within the borough.   As part of this, we have been in discussion with Surrey County Council highways earlier this year about our intention to trial a different product in selected areas to treat weeds on highways.  Highways areas are where the largest volumes of pesticide based chemicals have been previously applied in the borough.  SCC have been in agreement with our intentions and we will be sharing this same information with them shortly for comment before starting.

In consultation with Cllr Townsend as our portfolio holder we have selected for four ward areas;

Cranleigh West, Godalming & Charterhouse, Haslemere Critchmere & Shottermill and Farnham Hale & Heath End, where we will undertake these initial trials on SCC highway areas.  Within these identified ward areas, we have selected roads and a few footways where we will conduct the trial (identified by a red dotted line on the maps), please also see the attached excel file for more specific details of the identified trial areas.   The relevant ward members have been notified.

The product we will be using is called New Way which contains Acetic acid as the active ingredient.  There is a potential for a strong Vinegar odour following application that may linger for a period of time but eventually dissipate.

In regards to weed control on SCC highways in the rest of the ward areas and indeed the Borough as a whole, we are only undertaking one normal (pesticide based) weed spray throughout the borough, instead of the previous two sprays in preceding years, again this is too support the action plan of the forthcoming Pesticides Policy by reducing the usage of pesticide products.

We will be arranging for some communications about this with residents, so that they are aware of what is happening.

If you have any questions or queries relating to this, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible.   We are hoping to next week, weather depending and complete the trial by the end of the month if possible.

Kind Regards

Greenspaces Manager

Waverley Borough Council

Public Footpath 24 (Haslemere) Diversion Order

Notice of Making of an Order

Highways Act 1980 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Surrey County Council
Public Footpath No. 24 (Haslemere)
Public Path Diversion Order 2020

The above Order, made on 2 September 2020, under section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 and section 53A(2) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 will, if confirmed, divert Footpath 24 (Haslemere) running from a point at Grid Ref 489859 134365 in a southerly turning to south easterly direction for 46m, to a line running from the same point in a south easterly direction for 40m, as shown on the Order Map.

A copy of the Order and Map may be seen free of charge at the Countryside Access Office, Surrey County Council, Merrow Depot, Merrow Lane, Guildford GU4 7BQ (by appointment Tel. 0300 2001003) and at Farnham Library, Vernon House, 28 West Street, Farnham, GU9 7DR during opening hours. A copy of the Order may be purchased from the County Council for £4.

Any representations or objections to the Order must be sent in writing to Countryside Access quoting reference DJ/AW/3/1/20 at Surrey County Council, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Depot, Merrow Lane, Guildford GU4 7BQ by 9 October 2020. Please state the grounds on which they are made. If no representations or objections are duly made, or if any so made are withdrawn, Surrey County Council may confirm the Order as an unopposed Order. Any representations not withdrawn will be sent with the Order to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for confirmation.

Please note that in the interests of open government, responses to this consultation may be disclosed to the public and may be summarised for inclusion in committee reports. If you do not wish your personal details to be made public please notify us in your response.

Enquiries to: Countryside Access Team, Surrey County Council, Whitebeam Lodge, Merrow Depot, Merrow Lane, Guildford, GU4 7BQ Tel: 03456 009009 or email: rightsofway@surreycc.gov.uk