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