Your Local Hersham News

Hersham Station gets a cleanup!

Cllr Mary Sheldon while planting up one of the Hersham in Bloom barrels at Hersham Station noticed how the pavement and roadside gutters all around the Hersham Station hadn’t been swept for some time – litter, detritus and general waste lying around the pavement area outside the station including under the bridge and the roadside – particularly on the Hersham side of the bridge/station.

Mary contacted the Rapid Response team to go down to Hersham Station and requested them to give it a good sweep and clean up. Last Thursday Dave and Chris did an excellent job in removing all the detritus, litter, weeds and worst of all, the pigeon droppings from the pavement, including under the bridge. The area will now be cleaned on a regular basis. Well done the Rapid Response Team!

‘Several local residents have already commented on how much better the ground area by the Station looks – so thanks to everyone who responded so speedily to my request.’ Cllr Mary Sheldon
 

Election Results Day - May 7th 2010

Ruth Mitchell (Hersham South), John O’Reilly (EBC Leader) and Mary Sheldon (Hersham North) elected with landslide results

We all thank the residents and helpers in achieving a fantastic result and now we will serve our residents to the best of our abilities.
Thank you once again.

Hersham Prepares For Spring
January 2010

The Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership (ECSP) is pleased to announce the completion of its latest Payback Project in Hersham.

Each month the ECSP asks its residents to nominate an area that could do with a tidy up; be it removing graffiti, cutting back vegetation, removing litter, or as in this case, creating flower beds.

The work was organised by officers from Elmbridge Borough Council's Environmental Care team and was undertaken by a team of offenders working under the Community Payback scheme supervised by Surrey Probation Service.

Peter Kipps, the Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership Manager, said: "This particular project was nominated by Cllr Mary Sheldon, the local councillor for Hersham North, who obtained permission of the land owners, in this case one of our Partners, Elmbridge Housing Trust. The work was undertaken by the individuals undertaking community service making reparation for the benefit of the community and Hersham in Bloom provided the planting. This highlights the great amount of partnership working in the Borough and I would like to thank all those involved".

Cllr Mary Sheldon - Hersham North

Network Rail and South West Trains improving Hersham & Walton Stations
March 2010

Your local Hersham councillors continued and persistent pressures on Network Rail and SW Trains for much needed improvements to Hersham and Walton Stations has been successful. The Hersham face lift has begun and will continue for 2 weeks.

Following a meeting between Hersham councillors Mary Sheldon, Ian Donaldson, John O’Reilly and John Sheldon and the South West Trains Stakeholder Manager, we now have confirmation from SW Trains that the following improvements will shortly be made.

Hersham Station

• Work on replacing the staircase cladding will take place from March 23rd 2010 for 2 weeks
• The station is due to be painted during Summer 2010 (subject to budgets)

Also the CCTV is now operational and there are signs directing people to the new Hersham taxi rank a short distance away in Walton Park.

We are still pursuing Network Rail on a number of issues relating to the current state of the Hersham railway bridge and Elmbridge Borough Council are also following up in relation to this bridge and several other railway bridges in the Borough which need urgent attention by Network Rail. We will keep you posted.

There are still several further issues to be resolved which your local Borough councillors are continuing to pursue with SW Trains and Network Rail. We will update you on this website as soon as we can.

Previous information:

Walton Station - October 2009
Cllr John O’Reilly

Cllr O’Reilly has managed to sort out the parking problems on Hersham side of Walton Station by arranging finances for a new pavement from the station exit to the underground tunnel. It was deemed dangerous by all your local councillors as passengers were having to exit via parked cars. You will notice an improvement in the next few months.

Hersham & Walton Stations - August 2009
Cllrs Sheldon, O’Reilly, Sheldon and Donaldson

They met South West Trains Stakeholder Manager to discuss improvements to Hersham and Walton stations.
Hersham Station was built in 1936 as a temporary station and over the years various improvements have been made but the station now requires some definite TLC! Hopefully by the autumn passengers will see some changes.

There has been great concern by the councillors regarding the safety of passengers exiting from Walton Station (Hersham side) and this was pointed out to the Stakeholder Manager and working together with EBC hopefully a solution will be arranged.
 

John O’Reilly chosen as Leader Elect
4 December 2009

At a Conservative Councillor Group meeting yesterday Cllr John O’Reilly was chosen as ‘Leader elect’ to succeed Cllr Roy Taylor when he stands down at the next local elections in May 2010.
 
Cllr Taylor said, “I am delighted our Group has settled on my successor and John brings a great deal of experience to the Council and will be a valuable asset to the Borough. Unless anything untoward happens between now and next May, John’s position will be ratified at our AGM the Saturday after the Local Elections. I sincerely hope that the public continue to give us the support we have enjoyed over the past two or three years and if that continues or/and strengthens, John will automatically become Leader of the Council for 2010/11. I look forward to working closely with John over the next few months to ensure a seamless transition.”
 
Cllr O’Reilly said, “It is a tremendous honour to be chosen by my colleagues to serve as their next Leader. Roy will be a very hard act to follow and the Conservative group owes him a huge debt of gratitude.  I am proud to have been a member of Roy’s team for the last 4 years and this close collaboration will continue over the months ahead on behalf of all our residents”.

Magic moments in Hersham
December 2009

Enchanted evenings are a rare treat, but I was lucky enough to fall under the spell of one last week. With my wife I had been invited to a performance of The Dreaming, a musical play based on Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. From the opening scene, where miniature hobgoblins scuttle around a darkened stage, to the triumphant finale, I had been completely absorbed by faultless delivery of clever dialogue, made moving by the most beguiling music.

The setting for this magical experience was Notre Dame School, itself deep in woods easily imagined haunted, and the all-pupil cast was wholly female.  We must have all seen school drama, and made allowances for youngsters playing adults of the opposite gender, but no concessions were needed here, so convincing were these talented girls.  Their two hours of concentrated stagework would have been demanding for professionals, so it is all the more commendable that their impassioned performance was delivered with confidence, with enthusiasm and without a single prompt.

The occasion was special, because it marked the last of a long series of performances staged in the old School Hall, soon to be demolished. Sad in one sense, but any nostalgia for the now dilapidated building was surely banished by knowledge of the splendid new one on its way, recently granted Planning Permission.  That is to be a small theatre in the round, a well deserved reward for a school with an exceptional record in teaching drama, and a performing arts venue that could be available to serve the community at large.

Cllr John Sheldon - Hersham South

Surrey County Councillor Margaret Hicks Monthly Report
November 2009

On Friday Nov 27th I had a meeting with the CX of Elmbridge Borough Council, Rob Moran and the Leader Roy Taylor as my agenda is for SCC and EBC to be working together, something that was not really happening when I was made Chairman of the Elmbridge Local Committee.  At the meeting I was able to discuss the proposals for Hersham Golf Course development finding out to what level discussions were at. I was pleased that all are very preliminary and the private owners will be having open house on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th December to explain their plans around an underground hotel, improved golfing facilities headed up by John Virgo. Of course, we discussed the Southern Gas works on the Seven Hills Road which you will now mean only three months of total closure of the road and then further months – probably with traffic light flow – to complete by the summer. I am asking whether the work could be deferred until the summer which would suit Notre Dame and Feltonfleet Schools. However many would like to see the agony over and done with asp.
Like all your Borough Councillors we have all been taken up with correspondence with Hersham residents and there will be a daily update website operating so all can follow progress.

You will be pleased that I have negotiated, subject to final approval of all Councillors on the Local Committee, that yellow lines be laid on Claremont Lane – leading from the Bear in Esher to the A3. On street parking is a really hot potato now that controlled parking zones (CPZ) are being extended to Walton  - again for approval by the Local Committee on the 7th December at 4.00 p.m. at Cobham Village Hall. I have had meetings with the SCC CX David McNulty as I feel training would be advantageous for his Officers in delivering papers in the public arena.  I am tired of dull droning when the papers should have been read and exciting highlights developed so all can leave with good news messages.  David is working on my paper with the senior team at County Hall.

You will all have seen the new fencing at Somerset Close and I have received very positive comments even from Andrew Sturgis. Surrey will be working on the pavement at the bottom of the steps Hersham side of Walton Station and thanks are extended to John O’Reilly for his help in securing some finances for the project. The PFI for 66,000 replacement lamp posts is about to be signed and the work will be over five years. I have secured that Seven Hills Road will be seen to during the Southern Gas closures. Also you will be pleased to know that, subject to real emergencies, there will be a moratorium on street works for the next six months. I was alarmed when major works on St. George’s Avenue are in the offing. The fence running along the railway is deemed insecure and an accident could find a vehicle dropping directly onto the railway lines. However, fingers crossed there will be no accident and this work could be done later in 2010 thus giving us all a route to Brooklands and Byfleet.

Surrey County Council is now asking Elmbridge to enforce resident parking.  I believe a loose agreement was made some ten year’s ago with Elmbridge Officers that residents that had a yellow line painted outside their house could park there displaying their permit. This is no longer the case and people have been receiving warning parking tickets that enforcement will be operative. As a result I have meet with people on the Molesey Road, Burwood Park Road, Mayfield Close, etc. and the Task Group for Parking has met to see if further bays can be included in the schedule of works for 2010 – the purse is empty now for this year. As Chairman of the Task Group I am very keen that we meet the requests of our residents where reasonable.

I have made two visits meeting with Councillors in Hinchley Wood. One was to see the flooding problems on Heathside Road and the other the erection of a map. Neither have easy solutions but a little give and take on all sides should achieve results.

I am extremely busy with Brooklands College with the honourable leaving of our Principal, Colin Staff, and start of an interim Team who will have a recovery plan by March. I have put back into the portfolio of the College the campus in Ashford and A Level provision as I believe you ask experts to work on the whole operation.  I have close conversations with the CX of the LSC and regional CX, leading Officers at SCC and am endeavouring to raise as much money as I can for the College from the body that has let the sector down so badly.

You will all know that the Revd Nick Whitehead will be leaving our Parish in the early New Year to take up being Priest in Charge at Sheer. Nick has been with us since 17th June 1992 and has been an exceptional priest.

The Police Authority is working hard alongside the Force to plan a sustainable future for policing in Surrey. The changes planned, to be ratified by the Authority on the 10th December, will see up to an additional 294 Officers on our streets, thus meeting the constant requests by our public for more visible policing.  The changes will see co-location with public bodies, street frontage stations and we should not cling onto old police stations so impeding the exciting future. We have a new Acting Chief Superintendent, Jerry Westerman. Jerry has working in the area on previous occasions and is welcomed back.

SCC gave Surrey Police £1m for traffic calming and road management and I met with the chief officer to ensure that some of the money will be spent in Elmbridge. You might like to know that as of the New Year those caught speeding can go back to school in Surrey to learn responsible driving techniques rather than have points on their licence.

Cty Cllr Margaret Hicks

Hersham Library - Knowledge Tree
Cllrs Mary & John Sheldon, John O’Reilly & Ian Donaldson

The Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor James Vickers, officially opened the the Hersham Library new metal sculpture ‘The Knowledge Tree’  erected on the wall at the front of the library. Local schools are at the heart of this project. Rydens provided designs for the overall sculpture. Pupils at Burhill, Bell Farm, Cardinal Newman and Cleves provided drawings for the smaller elements of the design on the
subjects of nature, books and learning.

Alison Catchlove, the gifted metal sculptress, has taken all these elements and come up with an overall design, which is on display at the library.

Alison held workshops at the library so that the children could have a part in creating components of the design: they cut metal parts, hammering texture into them, filing away rough edges, and generally being an integral partner of the project.

Most of the funding has come from the RC Sherriff Trust, who support and advance the Arts in Elmbridge. Elmbridge Borough Council is providing funding for the extra materials.

Elmbridge No Cold Calling Zones
SCC Cllr Margaret Hicks and EBC Cllrs Mary & John Sheldon, Rachel Lake & Ian Donaldson

SCC Cllr Margaret Hicks launching Hersham No Cold Calling Zone at the Hersham Centre on Tuesday 29 September

The Elmbridge No Cold Calling Zones are a joint initiative between Surrey County Council, Trading Standards, Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council, supported by the Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. Assistance. They help to reduce the number of callers that residents receive as the zones have No Cold Calling Zone road signs erected at various entry points which act as visible deterrents.

Cllr Rachael Lake, Portfolio Holder for Community Development said: "The Zones will cover Claygate, a large part of Hersham and a small section of North West Cobham. In total the three Zones will offer added protection and reassurance to 8,500 households and it is anticipated that levels of distraction burglary and doorstep related crime will reduce".

The Hersham launch was held at the Hersham Centre for Retired People, Queens Road, Hersham on Tuesday 29 September.
Head of Surrey Trading Standards Service, Peter Denard said: "Our advice is clear. If you are approached by a cold caller, simply say, 'No Thank you', and close the door. Anyone who experiences problems with an uninvited caller should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. But if they feel threatened in any way, then they should immediately contact the police".

If you require further information in relation to this scheme, or to find out which streets are in the Zones, please visit the Surrey Trading Standards web pages or telephone 08454 040506

Hersham Taxi Rank
Cllrs Ian Donaldson & Mary Sheldon

A new taxi rank serving Hersham railway station is now operating in Walton Park Car Park.

The Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor James Vickers, officially opened the rank on Tuesday 8 September (2009). In doing so he met with some of the Borough's licensed taxi drivers and local councillors who were in attendance to welcome commuters.

Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Chris Elmer said, "We are delighted that we have been able to create the new Hersham rank as it will not only enhance transport facilities for Elmbridge residents but also for visitors to the area." He continued, "The ranks at both Walton and Weybridge stations are busy and the taxis provide a valuable service to the public. We are keen that the new rank at Hersham will soon become just as well used by both commuters and taxi drivers, who all have an interest in the success of this new facility"

Local taxi driver Ejaz Ahmed was pleased to see the rank in use saying, "The new rank is a good idea because until now there has been no service for residents getting off trains in Hersham. There is also a shortage of spaces on taxi ranks in Elmbridge at busy times so this will spread the service and make more room for taxi drivers".

The use of the rank, which holds five taxis, is due to be reviewed by the Council in twelve months time.

Cllr Ian Donaldson is on the licensing committee which recommended the new rank.

Albany Bridge
SCC Cllr Margaret Hicks

Albany Bridge has been restored back to 2 lanes each way!

Albany Bridge was built in 1965 to the then modern design and with a life span of 125 years. In July 2006 it had to be partially closed due to problems beneath the footway and edge to the carriage way and that there is no waterproofing drainage.
The partial closure resulted in the closure of the outer traffic lanes thus rendering traffic movement to one lane each side of the central barrier and continued passage for cyclists.

Costings for the engineering works are underway with Ringway who now have the responsibility for repairs to Surrey bridges. It is expected that the repairs will be carried out in the summer of 2010.

In the meantime I have negotiated that the bridge is returned to two lanes of motor traffic on either side of the central barrier and this will happen soon. I have also ensured that all the cones and road signs approaching the bridge are removed from the A244 and Lammas Lane.

The one difficulty will be for cyclists as higher kerbs will be in place over the bridge span to prevent vehicles from entering onto the weaken stretch. This will mean that the cycle lanes both side of the road will be removed on a temporary basis and reinstalled in the summer of 2010. Cyclists are being advised that they need to push their cycles along the footpaths crossing the bridge.

I am making sure that the active cycle groups are made aware of this inconvenience to them and working with the SCC cycle officer to have a press release available. Schools will be contacted and I will contact Surrey Police to let them know the immediate and future plans for the bridge.

I hope that our cycling community will bear with this convenience and support the improved traffic flow along the A244.

Hersham Notice Board
Cllr Mary Sheldon

Cllr Mary Sheldon, who looks after the Hersham notice board by keeping up to date etc, reports to EBC and by 30th July email from Cllr John O’Reilly ‘Just returned from my early afternoon ‘constitutional’ and everything is restored to pristine majesty again as of 2.25pm.’ Well done EBC et al.

E-mail from Cllr John O’Reilly 29th July 2009: ‘Just back from my early evening ‘constitutional’, and to my fury and dismay I noticed that the elegant symbol of Hersham architecture at its finest, namely the Notice Board in Mayfield Road, has been sprayed to semi oblivion’

Pot Holes
Cllr Ian Donaldson

E-mail from local resident 28th July 2009: ‘The pot holes have been filled. I am sure that all who use that entrance will now enjoy a smooth and safe ride over that area.

E-mail from local resident 19th June 2009:   .......... a few pot holes just outside the Burwood Park Ince Road entrance. These are getting larger as each day goes by and are a hazard to cars leaving and entering the Park.
May I ask if you can contact the appropriate department to find out when that part of the road is likely to be repaired.’

Broken Fence & Sinking Ditch
SCC Cllr Margaret Hicks

Just to let you know that the costing of the replacement panels is now in and I have agreed to fund the repairs.  The formal acceptance will go to the Elmbridge Local Committee in September but I hope that the work can be carried out earlier.  These panels would not have been done if I had not agreed to spend from my local allowance. 

I am pleased to say that the "sinking ditch" across the Molesey Road at the location of Rydens Grove has been filled in.  Heavy lorries were causing bottles to rattle in the News Agent and adjoining shops and causing great discomfort to the residents on the other side of the road.  Help was asked of me at the Hersham Fayre and I had been dealing with this matter before being mentioned at the Fayre. 

The broken fence at Somerset Close still is under dispute as to the sections of ownership as the land does not belong to SCC and therefore most of the broken fence is not theirs.  I have offered to finance that part which is in the ownership of SCC.
 

I have included Molesey Close in my list of roads that need attention - again a concern raised at the Hersham Fayre.

Hersham Fayre
All Councillors

Hersham Fayre was a great success and the local councillors met local residents to resolve many queries and problems.

Margaret Hicks

Conservative Cty Cllr Hersham

Margaret has been the county member for Hersham since being elected in 1989. She is also Chairman of the Surrey County Council Local Committee in Elmbridge, Vice-Chairman of the Adults and Community Care Select Committee, a member of the Children and Families Select Committee and a member of the Adoption Panel and Secure Accommodation Reviews.

She has a wide number of interests and commitments locally including Chairman of the governors of Rydens School, a member of the governing body at Bell Farm junior school and chairman of governors at Brooklands College. She also chairs the management committee of the pupil referral unit at Pyrford.

In addition to those roles, she is treasurer of Hersham District Guides and the Weybridge Division Guides.

Margaret is a member of the Surrey Police Authority and on the Police and Community Partnership Group where she is chair of the management committee for Elmbridge.

One of her great interests is music. She is Chairman of Elmbridge Music Club and works with the Charity of Robert Phillips which provides resources relating to arts, education and music for the area of the old parish of Walton, and which helps to fund talented young musicians. Margaret, who enjoys singing, is a verger at St Peter's Church, Hersham and is a member of the Police Choir.

Like all members on the Elmbridge Local Committee, Margaret has made a contribution from her individual member's allowance to the small roundabout at the junction of Burwood Road and Queens Road, Hersham Youth Trust, Hersham Guides and Scouts, a lawn mower for the Whiteley Village Allotment Society, Rydens and Burhill Schools, CCTV cameras for Hersham and Hersham in Bloom to name just a few........... more

Hersham Youth Club Hersham Youth Club Arch Road Hersham Surrey KT12 4QT Tel: 01932 267257 website

  

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