On Monday, work will begin for a pedestrian crossing in Wey Hill, located by Shahanaz. The work will take place between 9.30am and 4pm. This may cause delays to your journey.
![Wey Hill Safety Improvements Notice](http://www.haslemerefirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/NB-Ped-Crossing-217x300.jpg)
Wey Hill Safety Improvements Notice
On Monday, work will begin for a pedestrian crossing in Wey Hill, located by Shahanaz. The work will take place between 9.30am and 4pm. This may cause delays to your journey.
Wey Hill Safety Improvements Notice
These are the latest timings that I have from South West Trains (SWT) for the works at Haslemere Station:
On the forecourt reconfiguration, there was resident concern (read Haslemere Herald here) about some of the plans which I wrote about briefly yesterday. These are being reviewed by SWT. Keep checking for more updates. Preliminary work was due to begin 3 days ago, however, it is delayed whilst SWT aims to accommodate resident feedback. A design of the forecourt will be published here once it is finalised.
Click here to view a line drawing of the decked car park.
Haslemere railway station forecourt plans are being amended by South West Trains in the light of recent community engagement events. The project start date and all station forecourt and car park plans will be put on this website as soon as they are available.
The agenda for Waverley Local Committee, Friday, 17 June 2016, 10.00 am has just been published.
To view the agenda and officer contact details, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site
Meeting venue: Haslemere Hall, Bridge Road, Haslemere GU27 2AS
The following items are included in the agenda:
No. | Item |
1 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE |
2 | MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING |
3 | DECISION TRACKER |
4 | DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST |
5 | PETITION: TO ESTABLISH A 40 MILE SPEED LIMIT ON BAYNARDS LANE AND HOGGSPUDDING LANE |
6 | FORMAL PUBLIC QUESTIONS |
7 | MEMBER QUESTIONS |
8 | REVIEW OF TASK GROUPS AND EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) |
9 | REVIEW OF PROGRESS: WAVERLEY LOCAL PLAN (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN) |
10 | REVIEW OF NEW PROPOSAL FOR TRANSPORT PLANNING PROTOCOLS (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN) |
11 | HIGHWAYS UPDATE (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION) |
12 | UPDATE ON PAVEMENT HORIZON (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN) |
13 | LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME 2016-17 (SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN) |
The agenda for Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board, Thursday, 9 June 2016, 10.30 am has been published.
To see the publicly available information, follow the link: Agenda details on public web site
Meeting venue: Ashcombe, County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2DN
The following items are included in the agenda:
No. | Item |
1 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS |
2 | MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 21 APRIL 2016 |
3 | DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST |
4 | QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS |
5 | RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME |
6 | UPDATES FROM MEMBER REFERENCE GROUPS AND TASK GROUPS |
7 | ROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ON BRIDGE STREET, GUILDFORD |
8 | REVISED ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT |
9 | COMMUNITY RECYCLING CENTRES – RECYCLING PERFORMANCE |
10 | REVIEW OF THE SURREY WASTE PLAN: CONSULTATION ON PREFERRED OPTIONS |
11 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 14 JULY 2016 |
Earlier this week, I gave details about Haslemere Railway Station: Works Disruption Information Events, 14th June 2016.
When the car park works begin at Haslemere railway station, it’s recommended that rail users look for alternative arrangements to get to and from the station where possible, using local bus services, walking, cycling or getting lifts/sharing taxis.
We are exploring other options available, one of which could be to introduce a shuttle minibus from/to the busiest areas. In order to understand if this is something SWT customers would be willing to use, please could you print and complete this shuttle bus feedback form and hand it to Haslemere ticket office by 24 June.
For reference, here is SWT’s information page about the works:
Haslemere Railway Station: Works Disruption Information Events, 14th June 2016
Major improvement works have started at Haslemere railway station, to provide more bike parking, improve bus, pedestrian and cycle access and provide more car parking at the station.
There will be major disruption for travellers during the works. For those that pick up and drop off during the station forecourt works (June and July) and for those that park at the station – the main station car park will be COMPLETELY CLOSED from September for several months.
Information banner at Haslemere station
If you have any questions about the decked car park project please come and
meet the project team on Tuesday, 14th June from 5pm – 7pm at Haslemere station in the ticket booking hall. See also SWT’s page about the car park works: https://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/plan-your-journey/planned-improvements/improving-your-railway/station-improvements/haslemere/
Come and find out more at a second event on 14th June! South West Trains, in partnership with Surrey County Council and the Haslemere Community Rail Partnership, will also be holding an information event open to all, residents and train users at the Georgian House Hotel, Tuesday June 14th, 7.30-9pm.
Plan of Works, Poster at the front of Haslemere station
Work has begun for a new cycle hub at Haslemere station
SWT & Network Rail notice on ticket machines at Haslemere station
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
There will be considerable disruption for travellers during the railway station works.
Access to the station forecourt will be restricted at times during the improvement works and the main station car park will be completely closed for 3-4 months.
Surrey County Council, in partnership with Haslemere Vision and SWT, has been working to identify and communicate possible alternative ways of getting to the station for those that currently drive.
We are looking for volunteers.
Would you be willing to spend 1 hour being trained by Surrey County Council’s Travel Smart team? You could be part of a team of local volunteers helping to advise train passengers about the different travel options to the station during the car park closure.
To show your interest, please contact the Surrey Travel Smart team travelsmart@surreycc.gov.uk.
Travel Smart Surrey
March 13, 2016: Surrey County Councillor Update:
MEETINGS ATTENDED SINCE MY LAST UPDATE ( Last full summary was Jan 19, 2016 here.)
Jan 26th, 2016: Attended Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board: Agenda here. At the meeting, in response to a resident experience survey, I raised my concerns about the Local Area Committee, how it functions, and the need for it to be more user friendly.
Subsequently met with SCC’s Community Partnership Team to discuss (March 7th, 2016). My key concerns: public not clear about purpose and function of LAC, distinction between public and private meeting. LAC is a private committee meeting held in public, should be more of a conversation with residents- too restrictive in terms of discussion, officers’ expertise not always fully used, suggest chair should rotate- current chair in post for 6 years, more use of social media before, during and after meetings.
9th February 2016: Attended Full Council: Agenda here.
In this meeting SCC discussed budgets for 2016/2017 to 2020/2021. Here is a press statement from the independent councillors and residents’ association councillors for Surrey County Council. Also, you may be interested to read my colleague, Eber Kington’s Budget Statement during the meeting.
March 10th, 2016: Attended Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board: Agenda here. In the meeting, there was a Project Horizon Year 4 discussion. I raised the issue of Blackdown Lane that due to an administrative error was not completed as agreed in the Year 3 program. The Project Horizon team confirmed that Blackdown Lane is on the Year 4 program, a date to be confirmed as due to severe central government grant cuts to SCC the final highways budget has not been settled.
March 15th, 2016: Attended Full Council. Agenda here.
OTHER MEETINGS HAVE INCLUDED:
Local Area Committee (LAC) – Community Engagement meeting: how to make Local Area Committee more accessible.
March 3rd, 2016 LAC Private meeting, Farnham: Agenda items included SCC schools and SureStart Centres
David Hodge, Leader of SCC: Private meeting
Haslemere Conservation Area Appraisal, steering committee meeting, Haslemere Town Council
Had several meetings with SCC Highways team in Merrow
Attended Southwest Trains stakeholder conference, Basingstoke. Working with SWT/SCC/Station Travel Plan. (More below)
NEXT WAVERLEY LOCAL AREA COMMITTEE MEETING:
Friday, 18 March 2016 1.30 pm, Godalming Baptist Church, Queen Street, Godalming GU7 1BA: Agenda here. You can follow local committee updates here on Twitter and here on the web.
LOCAL MEETINGS
The Haslemere Station Community Partnership has now formally established, via a legal agreement with South West Trains (SWT). Haslemere station is the main transport hub in the town, with over 1.3 million passenger journeys/year. The aim of the partnership, to improve the look of the station with planting, and better signage and also to use the station as a ‘gateway’ to promote Haslemere, its events, community assets, businesses and the wonderful surrounding countryside to both visitors and residents.
To date the partnership includes: South West Trains, Surrey County Council, Haslemere Town Council, Haslemere Visitor Information Centre, South Downs National Park Authority, Haslemere Chamber of Trade, Haslemere Fringe, Haslemere Vision and the National Trust. SWT community stakeholder team has match funded any contributions made by partners- to date SWT have awarded £5000, I have awarded £1200 from my SCC Members Allocation.
The station community partnership has been granted a short term lease on the vacant shop at the station. The plan is to create a Haslemere community information point. A team of volunteers, headed by Ken Griffiths has transformed the shop and a launch is planned in the next couple of weeks.
Haslemere Train Station: I’ve had several meetings with SWT engineers/arboriculture team to discuss the removal of all vegetation along the car park boundary in preparation for the additional deck at the car park. I have been working closely with SWT, pressing for maximum screening to reduce the visual impact of the metal structure. SWT have agreed to plant a screening hedge, with some specimen trees- although behind the current bus layby the pilings for the new structure will be too close to the pavement edge, so no planting will be possible. I am investigating whether a cantilevered, lit shelter would be possible along this section to provide a dry pick up and drop off area for train and bus passengers.
In response to a number of resident inquiries, SWT requires no planning permission for the car park, planning permission is deemed granted by virtue of Part 8 of the GPDO (2015).
I wrote about parking at the station here earlier this year.
St Ives School: Year 5, girls very concerned about litter, and the negative impact on the environment. Accompanied year 5 girls on Lion Green, as they picked up several sacks of litter as part of ‘Clean for the Queen’ initiative. I was impressed by how much they cared about their town, and the environment, how well informed they were and how much they wanted to do something to make a difference.
Sure Start Play Bus, Woolmer Hill, met with local mums and tots on the bus. Sure Start Centre provides excellent support for parents and early years children.
Haslemere Society steering group meeting – presentation inviting Haslemere Society to join the Haslemere Station Community Rail Partnership
Haslemere Station Travel Plan: Haslemere Station Travel Plan: Surrey County Council, in partnership with Haslemere Vision has commissioned a Station Travel Plan with the aim of understanding how people get to and from the station, the issues all users of the station experience, and to identify barriers to accessing the station without the use of a private car. A survey of train users, non-train users, local businesses and other key community stakeholders has been carried out. There was a very high survey response rate, over 1600 responses – all data is currently being processed. Two concluding workshops will be held on March 22nd, 2016 in the Georgian House Hotel. I will publish the final report including all recommendations on this site.
PRESS MEETINGS
Interviewed by BBC Surrey regarding council budget cuts on 3rd February.
Interviewed by BBC Surrey re Shepherds Hill sink hole on 2nd March
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Members’ Allocation for Haslemere:
Here is a final list of recipients for my annual spend
GENERAL UPDATES
Sandrock. New lighting columns are now installed and connected to electricity.
Shepherds Hill sink hole repaired. Updates were here and here and also on my Facebook page and Twitter feed. Thanks again to all for their patience whilst the works and investigations were carried out.
Lion Lane Post Office Update. I received this letter from the Post Office about the closure of their operation in the former Coop, now M&S, supermarket in Lion Lane.
South Downs NPA Volunteering Opportunities Map – which enables organisations with volunteer opportunities to promote these opportunities to a wider audience. Here is a link to their website and map.
LittleLumpy is an annual cycling event which raises funds for the Haslemere Fringe. It has 4 routes with a new family-friendly route this year. Early bird discount ends March 2015. Check out the Little Lumpy website here. Their early bird registration fee ends 31st March 2016.
Haslemere Annual Town Meeting with a talk about Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations plus town volunteer awards will be on 23rd March 2016 (click on picture below to read invitation).South West Trains Travel Promotion.
SWT are offering advance off-peak day return tickets for just £15 adults & £5 kids, to over 170 destinations across the South West Trains network! You can save up to 78%*! Runs until 30th April. For more information: www.southwesttrains.co.uk/promotion.aspx
Hindhead Tunnel Story
Can you help complete the Hindhead Tunnel story? Circle Eight have recently announced that its next local interest production will tell the Hindhead Tunnel story from pipe dream to reality. The film will also tell the history of the A3 at Hindhead and will examine the impact the Tunnel has had on the Hindhead area since it opened nearly 5 years ago. They are eager to collect the views, stories and anecdotes of people who live and work in the locality. In particular they would be very keen to view any film or video local people may have of the area in the past and of the Tunnel construction. If you believe you have something to contribute to the film, please contact Michael Orford at michaeleo@btinternet.com or on 01428 644871.
Changes to Surrey’s Recycling Centres
Please see this link re SCC’s Recycling Reduced Hours. Also see here for information about recycling in Haslemere.
Parenting Puzzle Course
Please see here about the Parenting Puzzle course organised by Tennyson’s Sure Start Centre on Wednesday 4th May 2016 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Crèche provided. To be held at The Hen House.
Yesterday, I updated residents via my Facebook page saying I was working on new signage for HGV diversions away from residential roads. I also shared the update that Technics Group, a Surrey ground radar specialist, would be on site for the survey tomorrow.
This morning, I met with the contractors on site. Here is a positive update relating to the repair of Shepherds Hill:
The ground penetrating radar investigation was carried out this morning.
The void is estimated to be 6 cubic metres. This means SCC has a full picture of the extent of the void and will go ahead and repair the hole. A foam cement filler for the hole is planned for tomorrow, Friday 25th February. Please note, foam cement takes 24 hours to harden. I have requested that SCC highways re-tarmac over the weekend as a matter of urgency in order to get Shepherds Hill open.
New additional HGV diversion signage was installed at key junctions this morning.
Once again, thank you to residents for both your patience and feedback during this process.
Best regards Nikki
Update 2nd March – Shepherds Hill has re-opened
Here is an update for you on the Shepherds Hill road closure in Haslemere. Please also look at my Facebook page where I have been posting interim updates here and via my twitter feed here.
Thank you to everybody who has emailed me regarding the Shepherds Hill closure. I can only say that I share your collective frustration that Shepherds Hill is still closed and we still await a full diagnosis of the extent of the void.
I have been in constant contact with SCC and Thames Water for updates and progress reports since the hole was discovered. Initially, it was presumed responsibility for the sink hole lay with Thames Water. From a surface view the hole looked like a wash out hole linked to the loss of soil/substrate by water. The weekend work that Thames Water promised failed to materialise, apparently the team was diverted to a pollution issue that took precedence. Eventually Thames Water did come on site, sent CCTV cameras into their sewers and drains and having spotted a couple of leaks, carried out the necessary repairs.
SCC Highways then took over the site, sent CCTV cameras down the hole with the expectation of pouring foam concrete down the hole. However, during last week, it became apparent that the void was more substantial than expected – rather a series of mini caves. Subsequent investigations in the sink hole have revealed remains of brick walls suggesting the basement or foundations of an earlier building – old maps show an old building at this position. There may be a link with the bunker under the grassed area by the zebra crossing.
SCC plan to send a ground radar camera into the sink hole, however, 2 electric cables belonging to SSE have been seen hanging in the void and the SCC team is unable to work without the SSE team onsite. I understand the SSE team did not attend the site as expected at the end of last week or yesterday so the SCC Highways team have had to be called off the site each time. SCC Highways have found that the highway is cracking at some distance from the sink hole mouth.
A key priority is the safety of both the SCC workman carrying out the work and the public. The scale of the void combined with the presence of electricity cables has further complicated the issue and means that the problem will not be resolved as quickly as hoped, or anticipated when the sink hole was first discovered. Unfortunately the utility companies are under no legal obligation to attend the site if other higher priority issues arise. I hope this information is helpful. I am speaking with the highways team every day for updates and will of course continue to let you know when I have more news.
Best regards Nikki