Greenway scrutiny and petition
Follow this link Greenway leaflet 28 Jan 12 vr4 to a new leaflet with petition sheet in PDF format.
Freeze Council Tax again!
Today, Mayor Boris Johnson makes his case to the London Assembly to freeze council tax for the fourth year in a row.
A council tax freeze benefits every London household during these tough times.
But Ken Livingstone’s hand picked Deputy Mayoral running mate in the Assembly is leading the Labour charge against the freeze, instead promoting an increase in council tax.
It confirms that Ken Livingstone would take us back to the days when council tax went up every single year.
During these tough times, Londoners cannot afford a council tax increase on top of their household bills. It is a tax that everyone pays, so every household will suffer if Labour go back to council tax rises year after year.
That is why the Mayor needs your help to keep council tax frozen. Please visit www.borisbudget.com now to urge your local Assembly member t o support the budget and help save Londoners money.
This election is a choice between Boris Johnson, who will keep council tax low and Ken Livingstone who will put taxes up.
‘Sunrise’ site starting soon?
I notice fence posts have appeared around the houses near the Upper Brighton Road/ Langley Avenue junction and ‘Cumbrae’ and ‘Oakdene’ were in darkness last evening.
This could mean that work will soon start on the site which will now be developed by Star and Garter Homes rather than Sunrise Senior Living.
Let us hope that the development will be completed with as little disruption to the area as possible. We shall watch what happens with keen interest.
Kingston events in 2012
The RBK website has announced the following calendar of events linking Kingston with the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee.
The Olympic Games will be held in London between 27 July (opening ceremony) and 12 August 2012.
The Paralympic Games taking place between 29 August (opening ceremony) and 9 September 2012.
But you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy the unique atmosphere of the Olympics – the Cultural Programme provides you with a unique opportunity to be involved with special events taking place in Kingston and across the Capital in the build up to the Games.
The Cultural Programme is designed to give everyone in the UK a chance to be part of London 2012 and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.
The culmination of the Cultural Programme will be the London 2012 Festival, bringing leading artists from all over the world together from 21 June 2012 in the UK’s biggest ever festival planned to coincide with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. All London boroughs are committed to participating in the Cultural Olympiad.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Kingston to engage in an historic event of global significance and to use the interest and excitement it generates to attract visitors and investment into the borough.
Use the navigation bar on the left hand side of this page to find out more about the borough’s involvement in the Cultural Programme and how you can get involved.
Key Dates for Kingston
Date Event 02 – 05 June Queens’ Diamond Jubilee Kingston Aviation Festival
Launch of Kingston’s Cultural Olympiad Programme
29 June to 22 July International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) 7-8 July River Kingston Regatta and River Festival 15 July Dragon Boat Challenge 24 July Torch Relay (Day 67) – start at Hook Centre through Kingston to Richmond Borough 27 July Torch Relay (Day 70) start Hampton Court up River Thames to Olympic Stadium Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
28 July Men’sCycle Road Race 29 July Women’s Cycle Road Race 31 July Familiarisation for Cycle Time Trials 01 Aug Cycle Time Trial 05 Aug Sports Events 12 Aug Olympic Games Closing Ceremony 29 Aug Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony 02 Sept Kingston Carnival 09 Sept Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony
Value for money?
In the last few years the Lib Dems in Kingston have
- Given £13 million of taxpayers’ money to the Rose Theatre
- Spent £160K on consultants for Ancient Market Place
- Spent £8.8million on ‘failing’ One Council Programme
- Hiked parking charges by 200%
- Lost £600k in parking revenue.
- Kept us paying the highest Council Tax in London.
CLEVER, ISN’T IT?
SNC Planning Committee
From OADRA, with thanks:
This Wednesday 11 January, the Surbiton Planning Sub-committee will discuss the planning application for the Surbiton Water Works – Filter Beds development. This is a controversial proposal that has been covered in several articles in the local press.
It is an opportunity for anyone from Surbiton to express their views.
So far objections have been based on the environmental impact and the effect on river users. Members of the public will have an opportunity to express their views, without the time restriction of a formal planning item. The committee will then make comments and recommendations to be fed into the Development Control Committee meeting on 23 February, where the decision will be made.
The meeting on Wednesday will also decide upon an application for a new 4-storey block of flats on the site of the garages in South Terrace. Only registered speakers can contribute to this item.
The meeting starts at 7.30pm at Dysart School (190 Ewell Road), and details and background documents can be found on RBK’s website at:
Surbiton Matters December edition
Follow this link to access the December edition from the RBK website.
2011 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,800 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 7 trips to carry that many people.
Carols at the corner HOUSE
The now traditional pre-Christmas event at the cornerHOUSE. A seasonal get-together with musicians and singers from St Matthews; join in with much loved carols of the season.
Doors open at 6.30, mulled wine and mince pies provided; first come first served
Singing at 7.00pm : Song sheets available.
There is no charge for this event; there will be a retiring collection for the St Matthews Organ Fund
Carols at the Triangle
200 locals people gather for carols at the Ditton Road/Ellerton Road Triangle
Community seasonal spirit was brilliantly on show at the annual carol singing gathering around the willow tree at the Ellerton Road – Ditton Road junction. The event was organised by EBRRA and more details can be found on their website. using the link in the right hand column on your screen.
It would seem that, after my words of encouragement to him at the EBRRA AGM, Cllr. Self did get active and the long awaited bench may appear before next year’s event.
Anyway, our thanks to the organisers and our very best wishes for a
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
AND
A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
TO EVERYONE IN SURBITON HILL
AND OUR READERS EVERYWHERE!
Neighbourhood on Tolworth Broadway
We are indebted to John Tellick of EBRRA for these observations:
I don’t think I need to tell you that the proposal got through at the joint meeting this evening?
A bit of a foregone conclusion, me thinks?
All the SoTB councillors (3) were in favour, Neil Houston and Mary Heathcote abstained.
There were 35 – 40 public there, all were against the proposal for various reasons, but few got satisfactory responses from officers, TfL or designers.
There was actually a lot of time spent on comments from the floor – perhaps 3/4′s of the meeting which started at 19:00 and ended at 21:45.
So, we had our say – but did anyone listen?
Alas it ended in a bit of a political spat between the Cons and LD’s and vice versa.
Neighbourhood meeting tomorrow
The next Surbiton Neighbourhood meeting is at Dysart School (190 Ewell Road) at 7.30. on Thursday 15th December.
A major item for discussion will be the design of Tolworth Braodway. As this is a consultation it should be possible for any member of the public to air their views to the assembled Councillors.
Energy saving scam – BEWARE
We are indebted to John Boshier of EBRRA for this warning:
TSI warns of dangerous energy saving scam targeting elderly
Trading Standards Institute is urging consumers to be aware of rogue telephone cold callers offering energy saving devices after trading standards up and down the country reported hundreds of complaints.
Trading standards are currently dealing with more than 200 complaints about people claiming to be their energy supplier or working in partnership with them, offering a plug in device which they say can save them 40 per cent off their energy bills.
Trading standards have had a number of the items tested which not only failed to satisfy electrical safety standards but do not deliver any tangible energy savings.
Ron Gainsford from the Trading Standards Institute said: “Consumers are warned not to use the product as they pose a risk of fire and electrocution and a safety recall has been issued for the items traced so far.
“Unscrupulous criminals are using the rising energy prices as an opportunity to lure in cash strapped consumers – elderly people seem to have been deliberately targeted.
“The number of complaints we are currently dealing with is bound to be only the tip of the iceberg.”
Westminster trading standards have been investigating the scam as the caller gives a London W1 Oxford Street address for the company.
Sue Jones from Westminster trading standards said: “The address they give is that of a virtual office provider, the companies involved in these scams are not actually situated there - we believe the call centre they use is based abroad and the appliances appear to be distributed by a number of individuals in the UK.
“We know that these fraudsters have been duping consumers across the country into paying £99 for the energy saving device and have been told the caller always appears to be very credible by already knowing the consumers’ details, their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/ debit card.
“Often consumers do not realise that they have been defrauded until they receive the dodgy looking device with instructions in broken English and the accompanying invoice which names an unknown supplier and often gives an American address.”
So far four different suppliers have been named, 1 Stop Marketing Solutions, ITC Development Corp, Power Saver and Athico Ltd. but the fraudsters could be operating under other names too. Some of these names could be very similar to genuine companies – for example Power Saver Ltd, based in Tonbridge, Kent is not involved in this fraud.
The director of Athico Ltd appears to have been a victim of the scam himself. He fully cooperated with trading standards and the company has now ceased trading.
Advice to consumers
If consumers have responded to one of these cold calls they should report the matter to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.org.uk 0300 123 2040 or Consumer Direct on 08454040506 . They should also contact their bank to stop their debit/ credit card. If a device has been received they should not use it and dispose of it carefully.
Consumers should be cautious about giving out any personal or financial information. They should independently verify a caller’s identity before agreeing to purchase any goods or services.
Tolworth Broadway to become a Greenway
from RBK website:
Project gets the go ahead and exhibition dates are announced
Tolworth Broadway is set for an exciting new look and feel that puts pedestrians and shoppers at its centre. Particular attention is being paid to improving Tolworth Broadway as a high street and to balancing the priority between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic by creating a more inviting and friendly environment and reducing traffic speeds.
Kingston Council in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) is in the process of finalising detailed plans for the transformation of the area. The “Greenway” project, part of the Mayor’s Great Outdoors initiative, will deliver extensive public space improvements and address the key issues identified through previous consultation with the local community over the last few years. The project aims to revitalise the Broadway to become a thriving place for people to enjoy and use, safely and securely.
After two years of planning and consultation with residents and local groups, Transport for London (TfL) has pledged £1.6 million to build the scheme, with an additional £1 million coming from Kingston Council. ’Tolworth Times’ newsletters have been distributed to residents and businesses in the wider Tolworth area to inform and update them about the scheme. These can be seen at the bottom of this page.
The Greenway scheme will stretch along Tolworth Broadway from the junction with Ewell Road, across the A3 roundabout to Kingston Road, outside the Charrington Bowl.
A series of exhibitions are being held where people will be able to see more details about the scheme:
7 to 25 November: Hook Centre & Tolworth Library
15 November: Hook Centre staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
17 November: Tolworth Recreation Centre staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
22 November: Tolworth Library staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
26 November: Super Subway Saturday, 10.00am to 1.00pm
15 December: Shared Neighbourhood Committee, Dysart School, Ewell Road 7.00pm
The main aims of the scheme are to:
•Strengthen the vitality of the Broadway so that it becomes a place people want to use and spend time in
•Reduce the barriers to walking and cycling and improve road safety through a reduction in general traffic speeds to 20mph along the Broadway
•Improve access to Tolworth Station and Tolworth Broadway
•Improve the general environment and feeling of safety
•Enhance the public space and improve links to community facilities such as schools, green spaces, shops and recreational opportunities
The plan is to remove the central barriers along Tolworth Broadway to allow pedestrians to cross the road at any point they choose. Formal pedestrian crossing points, both signalled and unsignalled, will be provided for those who wish to use them.
The central island (the ‘Greenway’) will be widened, have a low kerb and a vibrant resin bound gravel surface that will enable all users to travel safely from Ewell Road and Kingston Road. The Royal National Institute of Blind People, various interest groups, and the police have advised on the design to make sure it is suitable for everyone. The existing traffic signals at Tolworth Roundabout will be adjusted to allow the road to be crossed by pedestrians and cyclists so bypassing the subways which many people said they found intimidating.
The footways outside the shops on Tolworth Broadway will also be re-laid using concrete blocks to form a forecourt effect.
New paths will be provided within the roundabout to link the new crossing points with the existing pedestrian bridge over the A3. The bridge will be modified to allow cyclists to safely ride across it. A new signal controlled crossing will be provided in Kingston Road to allow access to both the Charrington Bowl and the Sunray Estate sides of the road.
The plans will be presented for approval to a special meeting of the Surbiton and South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committees on Thursday 15 December at Dysart School, Ewell Road, Tolworth. This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.
It is anticipated that the work will start in April 2012, following a tender process to appoint a Contractor. The aim is to complete the works before the start of the London Olympics in the summer.
Discussions will be held with residents and retailers to try to minimise the disruption during the construction period.
More detail about the Project
Further aspects of the Project include:
Speed Limits – The speed limit on Tolworth Broadway will be reduced to 20 mph, making it safer for pedestrians when crossing at any point;
Trees – there will be a number of additional trees planted both in the footway in front of the shops and on the central island;
Seating – extra benches will be provided in front of the shops. There will be no seating on the central island;
Cycles – The scheme provides a safe route for cyclist to cross the A3. Cyclists will also be able to use the central island and the roadway as at present. The aim is to encourage more shoppers and commuters to cycle, reduce car journeys and lower emissions;
Street lighting – new lamp columns will be installed to increase the levels of lighting in the Broadway and the centre of the roundabout. Extra lights will be installed to make sure the footways in front of shops are well lit;
Deliveries – loading bays will be provided on both sides of Tolworth Broadway;
Pedestrian Crossings – controlled crossing (with a green man) will be installed at either end of Tolworth Broadway with 3 uncontrolled crossing (no green man) in between;
Pedestrian Subways – The existing subways will still be available to use;
On-street Parking – The number of on-street parking spaces will not change;
Buses – Bus services will remain the same.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the Tolworth Project please contact us by email: tolworth.project@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Related Documents:
Get help accessing files or request files in alternative formats
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – November 2011
- Regeneration Strategy
- High Resolution Regeneration Strategy
- Tolworth Regeneration Strategy – Executive Minute – 31 March 2010
- Tolworth Regeneration Strategy – Executive Report – 31 March 2010
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – January 2010
- District Centre Parking Study – Parking Strategy – December 2009
- Surbiton and South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committees Report – 25 November 2009
- Tolworth Project Draft Strategy Document – November 2009
- District Centre Parking Study – Research Report – November 2009
- District Centre Parking Study – Car Parking Surveys – September 2009
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – September 2009
- Tolworth Freight Movement Study – June 2009
- Tolworth Project Questionnaire Analysis – May 2009
- Tolworth Project Summary of Questionnaire Analysis – May 2009
- Convenience and Comparison Catchment Statistics – March 2009
- Tolworth Newsletter February 2009
Self and that bench…….
I am afraid that last night, at EBRRA’s AGM, I got rather annoyed with Cllr. Self over his dilatory attitude to the re-installation of a bench at or about the wayside garden at the Ellerton Road/Ditton Road junction.
What really grated on me was the way he seemed to ascribe the non-appearance of this replacement to (a) the failure of officers to produce further work on the matter following a SNC meeting in February; (b) inccuracies in the Minutes both of that meeting and the earlier one in 2009, which originally decided on having the bench; (c) supposed anti-social behaviour there in the past – of which the Police have no record at all and of which I, who have been associated as resident and councillor with the area for 26 years, have never heard; and (d) the failure of the community to come together to sort the issue out.
The fact that he and his colleagues have done nothing to bring the community together since the February meeting did not seem to occur to him. In fact they have done nothing but obstruct the provision since the 2010 election, if not before!
I know from experience that, if the local councillors want something to happen which has been agreed upon and doesn’t cost much money, then RBK officers will make it happen. The unadmitted truth, then, seems to me to be that the current councillors don’t want this to happen for some reason I can only guess at, but they also don’t want to admit to EBRRA members that that is the case. Hence my exasperation with himSelf last night.
Cllr. Ayles maintained his habitual discreet silence throughout the meeting. Elmbridge resident Neil Houston maintained his habitual absence!
