Last Friday Surrey Highways had a consultation at Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall for all Ashtead residents concerning 3 options suggested for the tree-lined avenue of Woodfield Lane down to the level crossing at Ashtead Station.
We would like to sincerely thank all the residents, over 600, that visited that day in very poor weather, and gave their views and comments on the options put forward. Consultation letters were sent to all residents and the closing date for receipt of those is the end of October – although any views received slightly later will of course be considered.
Surrey Highways will then take on board all views/comments and prepare a detailed report for our Local Committee. Once a decision is taken, we will then look to implement that decision during 2013.

Again, thanks to all residents for their support on this important issue.

Surrey County Council and the Surrey Strategic Partnership have committed to ensuring that all homes and businesses in Surrey have access to Superfast Broadband. The UK currently has some of the slowest broadband speeds in Europe and improving this is crucial. The internet now affects nearly every aspect of modern life and superfast broadband will bring new opportunities and ensure that those living and working in Surrey do not get left behind. Surrey County Council has invited bids from private sector companies to deliver the necessary infrastructure for Surrey.

If you think broadband access is important for Surrey, we need you to support this project by completing our online survey – and by encouraging other homes and businesses in your area to do the same. Let us know what your current internet access is like, the problems it causes and what you need for the future.

In order to secure superfast broadband for Surrey, the County Council needs to be able to evidence the demand for it. This information will be used to support conversations with infrastructure providers and to build the commercial case for laying the infrastructure in each area. We welcome surveys from everyone but the project has identified seven areas of focus within Mole Valley, namely Abinger, Forrest Green, Oakwood, Newdigate, Norwood Hill, Dawes Green, and Betchworth.

Over 1300 of you have taken part so far – 99% of respondents have said that it is important for Surrey to have access to good broadband speeds and 98% would like faster internet speeds than they are currently able to access.

To take part in the survey or to get further details of the project please go to www.superfastsurrey.org.uk, or contact superfastbbsurrey@surreycc.gov.uk/ 03456 009 009 to be sent a hard copy. 

Surrey County Council are currently undertaking a review of bus services in the County. Their objective, perhaps needless to say, is to save money, and so the more support that is shown by respondents the better if services are to be preserved.  Services 408 and 479 which serve Ashtead are not formally part of the review, but comments are nevertheless welcomed.  Service 623 (shopping service to Epsom) is also likely to remain unchanged. Full details of the review can be found on the SCC website, www.surreycc.gov.uk/buses, and comments can be e-mailed to busreview@surreycc.gov or posted to Bus Review Feedback, Surrey County Council, Room R365, County Hall, Renrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2DY.

As a result of this consultation and in the light of the comments received, Councillor Chris Reynolds, the Portfolio Holder for the Environment, has agreed that this application will not proceed.  Thank you to all who responded to our request for views.

Comments are invited urgently on a proposal currently being considered.

 The Council has received an approach from a catering company who wish to have a licence to operate a refreshment stall and/or an ice cream van on the recreation ground.  The Council often receives requests for such a facility on the site and there is no doubt it would be a popular amenity for users of the Recreation ground. 

The proposed terms are for a daily service, between the hours of 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, the vehicles to be removed overnight. They would be located adjacent to the tennis courts in the corner of that section of the ground nearest the football pitches, which is currently unused.

 The advantages apart from the extra amenity are a small additional income to the council, and that litter picking would be paid for by the licensee.  Also it would provide a presence in the park encouraging use and providing a degree of natural surveillance. 

 The disadvantages to neighbours may be some extra noise, smells and litter, but the Council will exercise some control over the type of catering offered.

 If you wish to make any comment on the proposal, please contact Cllr Simon Ling, who represents Village Ward in which the Recreation Ground lies, or any other Ashtead Independent Councillor.