Current priorities and concerns

We at St George's Hill Independents are currently compiling our latest newsletter and are planning to deliver this to every home in the Ward during December. If you have interesting items you would like to see in the newsletter please contact Claire or me and we can work together. If you also have some spare time to help us out and are interested in local issues, we always need assistance in all sorts of ways, whether it's delivering newsletters, canvassing at election time, telling at the Polling Booth or indeed generally helping out with St George's Hill Independents you will be made more than welcome and we would love to hear from you.

Long awaited web site .

Through the welcome assistance of one of our many supporters the web site is now live so join us on www.sghi.org.uk

Olympic Cycle Race Through Surrey

I was fortunate enough to witness this event from a vantage point on the Cricket Green, Hanger Hill. it is difficult to estimate how many people turned out to see this race but from where I stood there must have been well over a 1000. It was an exciting occasion with an extremely jovial atmosphere. If this is how the trial was greeted I have high hopes for the games next year. I as also delighted to see the Queens Road and Weybridge adorned with both the Union and Olympic flags. Maybe we could see the same level patriotism on St Georges Day.

Elections and polling station

A review is to be carried out by Elmbridge Borough Council and local Councillors over the next couple of months in connection with the many complaints received regarding the unsuitability of the polling station at Brooklands Museum..A decision has been taken to provide a portakabin in the south side station car park on polling day. This will only affect voters who currently use the Brooklands Museum as the polling station at other venues will remain the same. There were very few alternatives available and it was considered this to be the best alternative as there is ample parking and it will benefit commuters who use the station.

Crime hot spots

It has been brought to our attention there have been several burglaries and theft from motor vehicles in the Brooklands area. Also be aware of unsolicited callers as there have been instances around the lower slopes of St Georges Hill of bogus callers. Always ask for ID and if you have not arranged an appointment do not allow anyone into your home.

If you require further advice please call me and I will be happy to help.

Welcome to Gemma Hall, I am sure you would all like to join me in welcoming Gemma as our new PCSO for Surrey Police Safer Neighbourhood Team

Mercedes Benz World

I recently met with Andrew Mallory of Mercedes at the request of local residents. We discussed concerts, track noise and traffic speed along Wellington Way. There will be no pop concerts this year and the others planned are classical, and symphonic disco on 29th/30th July. Following a meeting attended by Claire and myself with MBW they will apply for planning permission for matrix signs showing vehicle speed, and outlining the appropriate speed of 30mph rather, like name and shame but visually, which I find more effective than a static sign. A planning application has been received by this Council for the signs as the site falls on the Green Belt. During February MBW have relaid the track surface which should hopefully reduce tyre noise. They are also working with English Heritage to restore the part of the Brooklands Circuit they were using for young drivers.

An appeal lodged by MBW for a temporary building and alterations to the track has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

A3 Slip road litter

This area has now been cleared and we will keep a close eye out for any build up. If it is not spotted by us please let us know and include any other area which you consider requires attention.

Brooklands Community Park

For over a year now we have been promised an Information and notice board at the park. I intend to move this forward and ensure delays are kept to a minimum. During October I met with offers to look at the possibility of increasing the available parking spaces in the car park as at peak times the car park is full. There is space available and we will work on this as quick as possible

The litter bin has now been repositioned along with a bin for dog mess.

We try to remove graffiti in the park as soon as possible, but we do miss additions so if you spot this then report it on the graffiti helpline or indeed to one of your councillors.

We are soon approaching the anniversary of the opening of the footpath under the railway bridge, feedback from users has been extremely positive. I have asked SCC to provide directional finger posts.

Working with Thames 21 a charity for the environment and the Weybridge Society a group of volunteers cleared a large area under the Seven Arches Railway Bridge of Himalayan Balsam, .This plant may look pretty in flower but is incredibly invasive and can grow to over 12 feet high. The seeds are waterproof so can travel downs ream and pollinate anywhere along the riverbank, the plant also ejects seeds as for as 20feet enabling it cover a wide area very quickly.

Weybridge Station

See Home page.

Parking St George's Avenue

Many residents have voiced their concerns with parking on both sides of this road opposite Stroudwater Park by commuters. In order to raise this issue with the Elmbridge Local Committee and ultimately SCC, I have started an on line petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/stgeorgesavenue/ I urge you to sign this petition which will be presented to SCC on the 20th June. I would also like to hear your views,objections or concerns. It has been suggested a single yellow line with restricted parking from 10.00 to 11.00 should be in place along the entire length of this road and also Egerton Road to Cavendish Road. Again I would like to hear your views. I believe that reducing car parking fees at the Council controlled car parks would encourage usage, something Residents Groups have pledged. Surrey County Council have refused to accept the petition signed by 120 residents because they are unable to verify the signatures and it was not completed in hard copy or on their own petition site. I fail to understand how the public are expected to engage in their community when they are faced with unnecessary bureaucracy. I cannot imagine anyone completing petitions as a hobby. I will arrange a new petition for presentation in September as I will not be beaten by red tape.

We have started another petition on the SCC website and collected over 140 signatures as a back up which will be presented on 28th November 2011 by local residents.

Accident Black Spot

Old Avenue and Gower Road have seen more accidents than anywhere in the area. Weds 8th June was no exception with an accident around 8am causing personal injury. Together with Surrey Police and officers of SCC Highways we arranged a site visit to assess the injury risk at this junction. The statistics used by the authorities differs from the actual facts seen by local residents, partly because only reported accidents are logged and only those involving serious injury are used. Both parties agreed the road markings are inadequate and road signs are covered by foliage. Redressing of Old Avenue has been put on hold by SCC but the cross roads have been remarked and are now much clearer.

Proposed Controlled parking by SCC

See home page.

Proposed Incinerator

An application has been lodged with SCC to build a wood burning incinerator at Depot 46 Redhill Road (off Byfleet Road) I have serious concerns for the Environmental impact as this area is not only Green Belt, but home to a large number of social activities such as Silvermere Golf Club and a thriving Equestrian Centre. This application will come before Elmbridge Borough Council's Planning Committee as a consultee.

The application for a Saw Mill at Lian Yard adjacent to the Incinerator site has been refused..