WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE WOOD CARVING THAT USED TO BE AT THE FIRE STATION?

It's been removed by order of managers at Surrey Fire and Rescue. Read Peter Almond's report of what happened and see his picture of the carving on the Hinchley Wood website www.hinchleywood.org.uk.

Peter has suggested a number of ideas for what to do:

1. Press Surrey Fire Chief Russell Pearson to put it back – perhaps with some kind of plaque to dedicated firemen. If not on fire station property then perhaps just outside at the front.

2. As it is an artistic and unique marker post for Esher, can Elmbridge be persuaded to take it and perhaps place it next to the pond opposite the old 18th Century marker at the Café Rouge on Portsmouth Road, where Esher proper starts?

3. Kid’s competition for a school?

4. An open competition for the best idea of where to place it.

If you would like to comment please do so here.

Vandalism/ anti-social behaviour

A resident has reported: "My car is parked in the front garden of our house in Manor Road North and in the last 4 months the rear lights have been broken 3 times during the night. Has this happened to anyone else. I've reported it to the police as it seems to be a new outbreak of anti-social behaviour. Please do the same if it's happened to you." Please use this topic to comment on this or report similar problems.

Heathside/ A309 Junction

Following on from earlier debate on traffic problems and safety concerns at this junction (see http://hinchleywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/heathside-a309-junction-traffic-and.html), a resident has circulated the following to affected residents: "Dear neighbour – Sorry for taking up your time but I’ve reached the end of my tether with people using the entrance to our estate as an extension to the Scilly Isles roundabout.
Twice this last weekend I have been forced to wait with half of my car still on the “slow” lane of the dual carriageway as someone in front of me tries – and fails - to execute a U-turn around the island and bollard. If there was just me in the car perhaps it wouldn’t matter so much – but with at least one of my young children in there each time, I‘m moved to start bringing this to the attention of those that could change things – such as the council or ultimately the motorists themselves.
Before engaging the former I would like just to see if any of you feel strongly about this. My intention would be only to quote numbers of respondents – the more we have the greater the chance of achieving something."
Over 70 replies were received, indicating the strength of feeling. Suggestions included:
* Extend the No-U-Turn restriction to cover the entrance – not just the slip road
* Exempt emergency services from any restrictions (fair enough)
* Is there scope for a roundabout opposite the fire station
* Traffic lights at the junction, which in turn could incorporate a pedestrian crossing
* Extending the tail on the island to prevent u-turns
* DIY no u turn signs (prizes for the best entry!!).
Do other residents have comments? If so, please post them here so that they can be taken into account in considering what further action to take.

Condition of roads and pavements

The state of the roads in Surrey continues to be a cause for concern. Please post your comments and suggestions for action here.

Street Scene

Is your neighbourhood street scene a credit to your home/or a source of danger? Would
a task force working for a couple of hours help to transform your local environment by
collecting litter or cutting back the epicormic growth from kerbside trees? Please use the comment facility on this post to describe the nature of the action required. Don't forget to include a reference to the location.

Nursery Project

HWRA has been advised by the Head of the senior school of a proposal to set up a nursery with up to 150 places in a two storey building to be erected on part of the school's playground, adjacent to St. Christopher's Church. The accommodation would also include conference facilities(available for local community use)as well as additional classrooms and space for the school. Given that the junior school
is obliged to introduce wrap round facilities, is under pressure to move to 3 form entry and that the senior school( which, doubtless, will be expected to accommodate these children in due course)has already sacrificed recreational space for buildings:
. is there demand for additional nursery places?
. is such a facility the best use of the school's limited resources?
. would sacrificing recreational space be detrimental for the children in the long term?
. would the provision of nursery places generate an unacceptable degree of additional traffic movements in and around Claygate Lane?

To help HWRA determine and subsequently represent the majority interest, please record your views by commenting on this post.

Waste collection and recycling survey

Given the government’s high taxes on the use of landfill and proposed future increases, Elmbridge Borough Council continues its deliberations over how best to persuade residents to minimise production of waste (particularly that destined for landfill), and extend the adoption of recycling and composting services. As the waste collection, recycling and street cleaning contract is due to be renegotiated during 2010, the Council has set up a working party to look at ways to increase the efficiency of these services. HWRA Cllr Janet Turner sits on this committee and in advance of being required to vote on proposals early in the New Year, is keen to discover residents’ views on whether the potential savings implied by “option 2” (below) make it an acceptable alternative.

Option 1
the introduction of weekly food waste collection from September 2009. (Recent research identified approximately 40% of the contents of a green bin as food waste).
Weekly collection of non recyclable waste (landfill)
Fortnightly collection of dry recyclable materials (Paper/ glass etc)
Fortnightly collection of Garden waste (subscription service)

Option 2 – as option 1, but with fortnightly collection of non recyclable waste (landfill)

The food waste collection service has been trialled nationally (with the initial 3,000 households in Elmbridge increased to 6,500) and involves the use of a closable container. Reports indicate a favourable response from a high proportion of those involved in the trial. However a solution may still required for items such as disposable nappies.

Planning application for change of use Hinchley Wood greengrocers to winebar

Planning Application 2008/0359 for a change of use of the Hinchley Wood greengrocers to a wine bar has been rejected. This is on the grounds that it will lead to an increase in noise and disturbance and also that it would increase the proportion of non-shop use in H.W. centre above the threshold for viability and vitality as a shopping area.
In recent e-mails residents have expressed differing views about this:
"Well that’s a damn shame if you ask me ! " D.B.
"I fully agree .. I think it was a splendid idea; Hinchley Wood has been lacking any such facility for far too long .................. The consensus on the Planning Application website seems to be “pro” the application and I doubt the “noise and disturbance” from “customer and car related” activity would be that great, as the premises are not that large." S.W.
" I can't make out if it was supposed to be a wine bar OR a coffee bar. I'd be happy with a coffee bar as it would close at a reasonable time, however a wine bar is a different matter - late night noise, disburance etc. Plus where would these people park? It's bad enough as it is, especially if you're trying to drive around the memorial gardens." J.B.
" I agree with D.B.– what a shame! It would also bring people to the area and help the other shops." D.R.
If anyone else has comments they can be posted here.