Template:Courier-OCT-25-8,9

CALL TO MAKE JUNCTIONS SAFER

Following a car and motorcycle accident at the junction of Hare Lane and Loseberry Road in August, the Environment, Highways and Transport Committee discussed the sight lines available to motorists and felt they are inadequate and dangerous. We therefore raised a FixMyStreet report with Surrey County Council, asking it to investigate and, if it agrees, to seek improvements.

And ways to improve safety at the "green triangle" junction of Stevens Lane, Red Lane and Woodstock Lane are being considered. The Committee is talking to Andy Burton, Claygate's new Surrey County Councillor, to consider the possibilities. The committee extends a warm welcome to Andy who, only days after securing his election, attended its meeting in August. The members look forward to working with him.

• Improvements to Highway Safety. We have expressed our support for Surrey's proposals to paint double yellow lines around the junctions of Glenavon Close, Common Road, The Causeway and Hurstbourne and to extend the no waiting times in The Avenue. Residents can find more about this at surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/parking/reviews/elmbridge/2024
• Brash Pile on the Hare Lane Verge. The committee has been pleased to support this initiative led by volunteer, Bill Raspin, Dead wood provides a valuable resource for fungi and wildlife, including stag beetles, solitary bees and other insects. It's also a very secure nesting site for small birds and hedgehogs. Frogs and newts may also use it as an overwintering site.
• Elmbridge Borough Council's Climate Change Citizens' Panel. Councillor Jenny French was invited to join the Steering Group of this initiative. The Citizens' Panel will meet for five sessions and has been asked to come up with recommendations to Elmbridge Council on the steps that can be taken locally to address climate change and protect the environment. The final meeting of the Panel is taking place on October 18. There is information about the sessions on the Elmbridge website.
• The Blue Heart Initiative. The Committee has also been pleased to support Bill Raspin's work in creating a number of Blue Heart sites in Claygate, two of which are maintained by our own highways contractor. The Blue Heart initiative aims to improve insect diversity and allow native plants to thrive on grass verges. These will not now be mown from March to September.

UPDATES ON PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ISSUES

• High kerb south-west corner of The Parade. The Committee continues to press South Western Railway on the raised section of pavement near the station. The updates the Committee has received convince it that the matter is being taken seriously. However, residents should not expect to see any work taking place until at least the 2026-27 financial year, as SWR has no money available in this year's budget.
• Community Garden — BT Exchange, Hare Lane. Unfortunately, despite a number of approaches, BT is unwilling to entertain the idea of a community garden at its Hare Lane site.
• New bench on The Parade. To date, Surrey County Council officers have not been able to approve siting a new bench on The Parade. The Committee continues to press for one, however.
• Bubble Gum signs. As residents will have spotted, these were removed in May, thanks to the Committee's efforts.
• Church Road Crossing. The late Mark Sugden, Claygate's representative on Surrey County Council, championed the initiative for a pedestrian crossing in Church Road. Andy Burton, his successor, tells us that the crossing has funding and is now at the design stage. It is scheduled for installation in the first quarter of next year at the latest.
• Hare Lane Green. We were recently told by an Elmbridge Borough Council officer that trial pits have been dug at points along the path that crosses Hare Lane Green, opposite The Swan pub, to determine what is present under the grass. The information gathered will enable a plan to be put together for more substantive improvement works in future.

REMINDERS

• Overhanging Trees and Shrubs. The Committee reminds residents of the need to cut back hedges and shrubs where they are causing obstruction or hindrance to fellow villagers. Residents can seek remedial action by reporting such matters to Surrey County Council via the FixMyStreet app, using this link: https://tellus,surreycc.gov.uk/The FixMyStreet app can also be used to report a wide range of issues to Surrey and the Parish Council sees evidence of Its effective use. We commend it to residents.

Gil Bray, Chair of Environment, Highways and Transport Committee