Continental Market this Weekend

4th-5th July Leatherhead High Street

You may have seen the signs up on the approach roads to the Town Centre....

A chance to stock up on olives, smelly sausages, baguettes etc. The Leatherhead Life website has a list of other events coming to a high street near you...

Communicating with SCC Highways

Here is a tale that demonstrates problems that individuals may encounter when dealing with SCC Highways. This was sent in by a Leathehead resident, but the problem with SCC is not uncommon.

Background

Early April a a White notice was posted on lamp posts in Church Road & Waverley Place, Leatherhead.

The rather complex notice indicated that the stretch of road from The Cresent to Byron Place would be closed to traffic for the weekend of 26th April. The direction of traffic on the remainder of Church Road would be reversed. Church Road is a one-way street. A number of residents thought that the notice was unintelligible. A fax was sent on 16th April to SCC to ask for clarification & perhaps a simple diagram.





There was no response from SCC.

On the 25th April 2008, "Advanced" notification signs were place at the junction of Church Rd & the Crescent warning of the pending roadworks. The following day contractors, turned up dug a trench across the 4m stretch of road & a big hole in the pavement by the Samaritans (7 Church Road). The trench was cover and a rough tarmac surface added by the end of the day. The hole in the pavement was filled & a rough surface of tarmac added; the paving stones were taken away.

The following day, Sunday, the contractors turned up and removed the traffic restrictions. No further work was done.

What Happened Next ....

• A Web Form was completed on the SCC website the next day stating that the work had not been completed in a satisfactory manor. The following day a representative from SCC AW) called to say that they would look into it. Nothing happened.
• On 30th April 2008, an email was sent to the local MV Councillors asking for help. The Councillor managed to contact the Area Manager for Highways at SCC and requested information.
• On 20th May 2008 no response had been received from SCC and so a further email was sent to the Councillor.
• On 27th May 2008, SCC replied to the Councillor stating that as far as they were concerned the work was completed but they would investigate. The Councillor then advised that the SCC Officer was emailed directly if there was no further news.
• On 9th June 2008 the SCC Officer was emailed quoting the original reference given by the Web Form automated response back in April. No satisfactory response was received.
• Another email was sent on 16th June asking SCC for answers to the Church Road hole & also for answers to questions asked via the SCC website over a year earlier.
• 18th June 2008 - a response from SCC arrived partially answering the questions from one year ago.
• 19th June another email was sent to SCC asking for the information about Church Road. A response was received the same day stating that Church Road would be resurfaced later this year. (Are they mixing this up with Church Street?). An offer of a meeting was made. This was declined because at this point it was becoming obvious that SCC really had no answers. The officer than suggested that the SCC help line was called so that so that the resident's concerns could be addressed !!!!
  
• 20th June 2008 - SCC helpline called with a list of outstanding questions. Another reference number was given. This was emailed to the SCC officer. Again this fell on deaf ears.
• An email was then sent to the SCC officer stating that a Freedom of Information Request would be raised against them.
• 24th June 2008. Two SCC Officers called. The first (ED) saying that they almost had all the information to answer the questions from one year ago, but they could not reply because they had not got the email address. Could the resident call the SCC number and leave a message for the Officer with the email address. Bizarre - how many emails had they already received with the residents address on it? The second officer (AW) stating that the Church Road roadworks were due to finish the following day & they would look into things.
• Guess what ? At the time of writing neither AW or ED had replied.... and there was still a hole in the pavement !!

Now one useful piece of information did come from all this . In the phone call on the 20th June 2008 with SCC, the lady answering the phone at SCC did say that the contractor doing the work ( a large energy company from over the Channel) was a law unto itself. SCC have no control over them and they do whatever they please when they please.

Conclusions:

• SCC web site inquiry service is pointless.
• Don't fax them; you do not get a reference number.
• The local Councillors, try as they might, may also suffer the same poor communications from SCC.
• The Leatherhead Residents Association should use expertise in the Committee to strike up a solid communication channel with SCC Highways so that residents concerns can be answered.

Additionally - MVDC ....

• This poor communication is not just an SCC problem - try emailing contact addresses at MVDC. The planning depart is good at responding. Recycling Officer will reply after a couple of weeks & a couple of email reminders. Ironically, if you email the communications officer at the email address given on the MV Viewpoint you get no response !!!

UPDATE: (7-July-2008)

Hole filled in but no paving stone - back to the original state of affairs.






Following a further web enquiry & a direct mail to SCC MV Highways Manager, an email was received from SCC stating that they had had a lot of problems contacting EDF and their contractors. An SCC officer went to the site yesterday (07-07-2008) and managed to speak to the contractors.

I mentioned to them that the kerbstones needed to be replaced and they agreed but did not have any indication of that on their job sheet. They have told their manager to order new kerbstones and install them this week.

... and finally (06-08-2008)

Cycle Saftey on Gimcrack Hill

Possible campaign for the Leatherhead Residents Association...

Dorking & Leatherhead are connected by a very good cycle lane. It is about four & a half miles long and very safe for about 95% of it's length. The problem is that on arrival in Leatherhead, cyclist are faced with a choice of either:

• Turn left down Thorncroft Drive to the Leisure Centre and then entering Leatherhead Town Centre via the Town Bridge .
• Turn left down Thorncroft Drive and use the new River Path.
• Continue up Dorking Road (Gimcrack Hill).

• 

Each of these routes has problems and dangers.

• Thorncroft Drive does not have a very good surface for road going bikes. Cyclist are then faced with the dangers of exiting Fetcham Grove and getting over the Town Bridge.
• Cycling along the new River Path is frowned upon by some members of the public because the perceive bikes to be dangerous.
• Gimcrack Hill is not safe for bikes because of parked cars, motorist ignoring the transition to 30 mph zone etc.

The Government is trying to encourage cycling to get folks out of their cars and so SCC should make cycling as safe as possible. Better protect need to be afforded to cyclist choosing to the Gimcrack Hill route.

• Improve signs for motorist informing them that cyclist may be on the road.
• More indications to drivers e.g 30 mph painted on the road, to warn of the reduced speed limit.
• A 'soft' cycle lane painted on the road from the exit of Thorncroft Drive up to the area where cars normally park on Dorking Road.

Please can the LRA put this on it's list of things to discuss at one of LRA meetings (August).

LRA - July Meeting Agenda

Agenda for LRA July Meeting

Monday 7^th July 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Letherhead Institute

Agenda - Public Meeting


Apologies
Minutes of the June meeting (to be circulated).

Police Report

1. Mole River Path
2. Mole Valley Local Committee

• Knoll Roundabout Petition
• Leatherhead Waiting Restrictions
• Highways & Hedgerows

3. Leatherhead Area Partnership

• Bus Stops,
• Seats & Cycle Racks

4. Town Centre Forum & MVDC.
5. Planning Applications & Appeals
6. Epsom & St. Helier Hospitals
7. A.O.B.

--- (refreshments) ---

Committee Meeting:

1. Officers Reports:

• P.S. Finance – Public Liability Insurance
• F.BS Membership & Road Stewards
• D.S. & P.S. – Leatherhead Area Partnership
• R.B., R.A. Publicity – posters, website, newsletter.
• R.E., H.C., J.H. Conservation
• C.A., R.A., C.B. A.M.Planning
• HP:-LINks.,NHS., Mole Valley 50+
• RB, HP: - Constitution

3. Working Groups / sub committees
4. Civic Trust & Climate Change. – T-Shirts.
5. Green Gym / Litter Pick
6. Future Speakers & Events
7. Town Centre Forum – sponsorship & AGM
8. Heritage Weekend
9. Heath & Community Care Event. (SCC/NHS)

Any Other Business.

LRA Blog Now tracks other Blogs in Mole Valley

The LRA Blog now features automatic updates from other Blogs concerned with Mole Valley.

• Green Mole
• Surrey Police - Mole Valley
• Knoll Roundabout

The latest news from these blogs can be found in the right hand column. If there are any other sites that you would like to follow, email the webmaster with your requirements.

Telephone Scam

If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling that they're checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers.

There is a fraud company using a device that once you press #90 or #09 they can access your 'SIM' card and make calls at your expense.

This message came from Lancashire Police. We have yet to get full confirmation from Surrey Police.

Other sources: http://www.safefromscams.co.uk/90-and-Mobile-Phone-Scams.html

Unilever Parking Spaces Secured

Source: Surrey Advertiser

Unilever has been given permission by MVDC to use 60 car parking spaces at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, 42 spaces at the football ground in River Lane & 50 at the golf club on Oaklawn Road. This temporary arrangement is for an 18 month period. The number of spaces at the golf club will bet set at 30 & not the requested 50.

Food Waste Trials to be Expanded

Source: Surrey Advertiser (16 June 2008) & Green Mole Forum

Full details and comments are on the Green Mole Forum.

Background information for those not living in Fetcham & Bookham

Knoll Roundabout

A new website has been launched by residents to improve pedestrian safety at the Knoll Roundabout. This is something that the Leatherhead Residents Association should back. Road safety concerns were highlighted in the Leatherhead Advertiser.

There is an online petition.

Press: Leatherhead Advertiser 12th-June-2008

Articles

• Front Page: Leatherhead residents protests as contractors start on the riverside path.
• Page 11: "Have your say on the web" MVDC promotes the Viewpoint website.
• Page 13: Charitable Trust taking over the running of the Leatherhead Leisure Centre, claims that prices will not rise.
• Page 26: Bikes to work.
  

Letters

• Councillor Sharland explains the changes to the running of the Leisure Centre.
• Councillor Dickson defends MVDCs approach to the Riverside Project.
• Letter regarding press bar on the meetings between residents and MVDC on the Riverside project.
  

Press: Naturists give advice to MVDC over the Riverside Project !!!!

Leatherhead Advertiser 12-June-2008

MVDC is really making great efforts to consult widely on all projects. In Councillor Dickson's letter to the Editor of the local rag, she states "Advice was sought from expert naturists, an ecologist and fisheries officer, a rights of way officer and many others".

Either this is a typo or life by the river is to change radically !!

River Mole Project - Work Commences

Thorncroft Bridge - path closed off



Views towards the work site.



Foundations for the new path surface

Bike Week - 14th-22nd June 2008

Bike Week is the UK’s largest biking event with over half a million people getting on their bikes at over 1,500 events nationwide from Saturday (14th) to Sunday (22nd) June. Find out more about Bike Week and events happening near you at www.bikeweek.org.uk

Public Parking in Ranmore House Car Park

Be aware that a new set of restrictions regarding public use of the Ranmore House car park has been instigated. The rules stop overnight parking. Town Centre traders report that the Parking Company that polices the restrictions is very enthusiastic.









The privately owned car park is located between the High Street & the Crescent.

Press: Leatherhead Advertiser 5th June 2008

Articles:

• A whole page was devoted to the on going debate about the River Mole Project. Most of the page was taken by LRA protesting about the improvements. A small section at the end of the page was given over to MVDC to defend their position. This information was already available on the LRA Blog.
• Page 6 carried an item on plans by Unilever to temporarily use temporary town centre parking spaces. Comments from both MVDC and the LRA were given.

Letters:

• Three letters were published regarding the River Mole Project.
• Two letters were published regarding the Leatherhead Leisure Centre.

LDF: Comments due 5th June 2008

The Local Development Framework (LDF) will form the core of the council's strategy for life in MVDC for the next 20 years, so now is the time to make your views known! If you don't then you cannot complain about it afterwards.

Thursday 5th June is your last chance to make your views known on MVDC's Local Development Framework in person at the council's offices at Pipbrook in Dorking.

If you can't make it in person, you have until the 20th June to do it via the website.

River Mole Project: Response from MVDC

I am sorry that people have been upset by the proposals that we are implementing along the river. I hope that what I say will give you some confidence that what we are doing is not going to cause the damage you fear and that the new path will fit well with its surroundings.

I will start with an explanation of why we have embarked on this project. A couple of years ago the local community undertook a consultation to examine the projects that people would like to see happen in Leatherhead. It was known as the Leatherhead Health Check. If you have access to the internet you can follow the thinking on www.leatherheadtomorrow.co.uk. One important project taken up by community representatives was the desire to improve access to the river for a range of possible users, especially disabled people. The path between the Town Bridge and the Thorncroft Bridge is promoted as a disabled friendly route, but it is far from satisfactory for this purpose.

The paths along the river are in various stages of disintegration. At the Town bridge end this is a rather horrible concrete path and there are other environmental improvements that could be done at the same time to enhance the natural qualities of the path. The middle section has all but disappeared under grass and there is no usable surface. The final section to the Thorncroft Bridge was surfaced about 10 years ago and has lasted well, but it is deteriorating and will need attention. This path was laid down at just over 2 metres wide.

The path surface we will put down will enable all users to pass along an all weather surface, winter or summer. It will be suitable for cyclists linking two off road routes to Fetcham and towards Dorking. The appearance and make up of this surface has been the subject of some discussion. Let me assure you that it is a material that will look good. The surface is largely made up of buff coloured chippings and so it will look like a smooth gravel path. The width of path will be no more that 2.2 metres, which is just a bit wider than the path that was laid to the Thorncroft Bridge . In places, where the path naturally narrows, the width will be reduced to accommodate existing features. This material is resistant to flooding and has been used along tow paths and other countryside locations. We will also replace and add seats manufactured by the Norbury Park Sawmills so that people have places where they can rest along the route. I am happy to confirm that no trees are being removed during the work.

There is natural concern about the impact on wildlife. We have, therefore, taken advice on this from the ecologist and fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, and one or two others with expertise. We also had to undergo a rigorous consent procedure for this work operated by the Environment Agency which looked at a whole range of possible impacts from water pollution, flood risk and environmental impact. This consent would not have been issued if there was serious danger of damaging wildlife habitats. Since the recent concern, we have consulted further with our colleagues at the Agency and they confirm that there is no reason not to proceed with these works from an environmental point of view. We are not excavating lower than the existing paths and we are employing a contractor who is skilled in countryside work.

We have worked with the Leatherhead and District Countryside Protection Society on this project and they are, indeed, helping to fund it. It is perfectly understandable that there is concern about this lovely area, but we feel that we are only restoring a well used path with a very good material and in doing so, other less advantaged people will be able to enjoy it too

Finally, there has been much discussion about access for the disabled at the Throncroft Bridge end. The gate with a radar key is intended for large off-road mobility vehicles. All other standard wheel chairs will be able to use the kissing gate. The wheelchair user pictured in the Dorking Advertiser will have no difficulty using the path and should, indeed find it easier.

We would welcome feedback when the work is complete. I hope they will be favourable, although it will take a season or two for the vegetation to grow up and the path to weather in. I hope you will be patient with us and understand that a great deal of thought and expertise has gone into the work.

Rod Shaw
Planning Department
Mole Valley District Council

Riverside Walk Update

Report on the meeting with the Mole Valley Council.
Friday 30th May 2008.

The Leatherhead Residents Association responded to concerns brought by some of its members about the Riverside Walk development plans sponsored by Leatherhead Area Partnership (LAP) on lands owned by Mole Valley District Council. In response to these concerns, eight LRA members including three committee members met with MVDC Director Richard Burrows and three of his staff to present a number of objections to the present plan. Also in attendance was Simon Cowell from the Surrey Wild Life Aid and Heather Ward of the LAP. David Blackmore, newspaper reporter from the Leatherhead Advertiser, was not permitted to join the meeting. There was no formal minute or note taker, but the MVDC Director took notes.

Council Conservation Officer Rod Shaw and Heather Ward, who led the Conservation portion of the Leatherhead Tomorrow Health Check, have liased over many months on this MVDC scheme. The plan is to widen the existing path from Leatherhead Bridge across the meadow and through the nature reserve to Thorncroft Bridge to make it the width of many country lanes in the Mole Valley. The pathway will also connect to the football field / carpark. The plan is for 715 metres of pathway 2.5 metres (8 feet) wide to be constructed along the riverside. The path will require an aggregate base 20 centimetres deep for the laying of the Fibredec and bitumen topping.

As at the time of the meeting, the Director had not visited the site due to pressures of work. One of the Leatherhead Councillors has expressed the view that the location is too intimidating to even visit and examine the issues. Another councillor did not have
a schematic drawing at the time the plan was put before the River Access group.

A good discussion took place over a two and a quarter hours chaired by the Council Director. A number of related issues were discussed, particularly on the lack of effective communication by the Council with Leatherhead residents. In particular, the detailed plans were never highlighted at the Town Centre Forum nor the Leatherhead Area Partnership meeting, nor even on the LAP website.

Each LRA member spoke on their area of expertise or of their special concern. The meeting was opened by LRA member Barry Davies, river bailiff, who gave reasons why this 8-feet wide path should not be constructed through the narrowest and most sensitive part of a nature reserve, especially during wildlife breeding season.

The MVDC director stated that the works contract has already been signed. However, neither the contract nor the project budget or specifications were available at the meeting with the LRA or at an earlier Council meeting. The MVDC Director stated that the expected cost of the project is approximately £61,000, but various figures have been stated and the budget is not clear. The Fibredec and bitumen topping will cost an estimated £21,000. A version of the budget seen earlier by an LRA committee member did not seem to include the cost for the aggregate base.

The residents do not have major objections to the path as planned from Leatherhead Bridge (150 m) and turning right across the meadow to the football car park. LRA's only reservation is about the wisdom of mixing young children with speeding bicycles on the path. This will be a matter for the Council to resolve if there are accidents.

The residents have more objections to the section of the planned pathway through the narrow and most sensitive part of the nature reserve. Objections raised by LRA members at the meeting may be summarised as follows: -

The construction process will be lengthy and noisy. Among other problems, the construction will seriously disrupt the wildlife summer breeding season, including the swans that have just returned to the area and the kingfishers.

The planned pathway through the most sensitive part of the nature reserve is inappropriately wide and out of keeping for the narrow setting.

The original purpose of the project was to enable families and people with disabilities to have greater access to enjoy the riverway. The pathway plans, however, will facilitate cyclists to travel at fast speeds on the path, with limited visibility around trees etc, putting pedestrians at risk.

A planned large metal "kissing gate" at the Thorncroft Bridge entrance would be needed as a barrier to motorcycles and cars. This unsightly barrier, along with other artificial constructions, are planned for the section of the riverway with the most natural beauty. Moreover, similar "kissing gates" are being removed from other areas around the country because they provide less accessibility for some disabled individuals!

A 40-square metre area of meadow (including flowers, etc) would be covered with Fibredec, like the pathway.

The existing litter, beer can and bottle problem will increase.

The pathway project will create even more of a haven for the homeless from the nearby Pitstop refuge and may increase the vandalism of public property (damage to benches, fires, etc).

The construction costs and method are not transparent.

The LRA committee members attending would like to acknowledge and thank all those who signed the petition in support of their fellow residents who have given of their time to try to preserve the last part of rural Leatherhead. Over 300 people played their part in local democracy by signing the petition. Petition signing took place on the pathway, at Corbetts Bookshop, at Martin's Newsagents, and at other locations.

In conclusion the Leatherhead Residents Association would like to place on record its thanks to Council Director Richard Burrows for his courteous reception and his expertise in gathering information at the meeting on 30th May 2008.

Policing: Presentation by Surrey Police at LRA June Meeting

Mole Valley - June 2008
Leatherhead Residents Panel.


Surrey Police presented the following report (click to enlarge):



Residents at the meeting requested further information about the No Cold Calling Zone to be implemented in Bookham, Fetcham & Ashtead. Fran Davey stated that the zone would be first implemented in areas where the problem is most acute and individuals most vulnerable. It would then be implemented in Leatherhead.

Residents requested further patrols by the riverbank in light of the recent mugging.

Remember: the police cannot act unless an incident is reported.

Press: Leatherhead Advertiser 29th May 2008

LRA members managed to secure the editorial slot to voice concerns over the River Mole Project. The project run my MVDC plans to to build a 2.5m through the nature reserve close to Thorncroft Bridge, Leatherhead.

A number of letter to the editor on the proposed footpath were also published.