Woking
Cobblestones on Albion Square
Several residents have asked when the cobblestones underneath the station canopy will be repaired. The council has temporary laid down black tarmac to cover areas where there has been cracking and dislodging of the cobblestones, apparently as a result of a chemical reaction to the materials that were used to lay the surface. I agree that the tarmac is unsightly and detracts from what is supposed to be a modernised and improved entrance to the town from Albion Square.
At a meeting of the Town Centre Oversight Panel last night I was able to quiz council officers on the reasons for the delay in making the necessary repairs. I am told there are currently contractual issues between the suppliers and the maintenance company which need to be resolved, and the intention is to carry out the work as part of the wider redevelopment of the town centre that will be carried out through construction of the Victoria Square project. This means that the cobblestones are not likely to be replaced for some time yet, and probably not for several years.
While this is a disappointing reply, I appreciate that there is merit in waiting until the repairs can be carried alongside the much bigger development work planned for the town centre. At last night’s meeting we were given a preview of the latest display materials which will be used as part of the public consultation and engagement campaign to inform residents about plans for Victoria Square. This project has the potential to substantially transform the town centre for the better and increase the quality and diversity of shops, restaurants and public services in the borough.
Flooding in Byfleet and Old Woking
My thoughts are with everyone who has been a victim of the severe weather and flooding over Christmas holidays. Unfortunately many homes in Byfleet and Old Woking are still without electricity. The forecast is for more heavy rain tonight and over the weekend, and flood warnings remain in place for the River Wey and Hoe Stream.
Surrey County Council and Surrey Police were out over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day clearing fallen and uprooted trees from the roads, while Woking Borough Council’s emergency planning team has been working with Serco to provide sandbags to those in urgent need. If your property is at immediate risk of flooding you should move valuables upstairs or to the highest point in the house, and be aware of the need to switch off your electricity if there is the danger of water rising to the electrical sockets. You can call the council’s out of hours team on 01483 730872 if you need to request sandbags.
We have been informed that while many homes are flooded and some people have had to move out, it has not been necessary to open an evacuation centre. However, the council will continue to monitor the situation and respond where necessary. If you are having difficulty getting the help you need from the council or its contractors, you can find the contact details for your local councillors here.
Grants for the voluntary sector
This evening Woking Borough Council held its yearly meeting of the Executive where financial awards to volunteer and community organisations are decided. The council has sought to protect the grants budget over the past few years even as it has taken steps to cut costs elsewhere through reductions in headcount, investing in revenue generating assets and outsourcing services to provide better value for money to taxpayers.
The council has awarded some £930,000 in revenue and community funding to voluntary groups this year, which is a reduction compared to last year but still a good achievement considering that we are likely to see a further 10% cut in Woking’s central government grant.
Awards were made to replace the Lakeview Community Hall and to refurbish Goldwater Lodge, both in Goldsworth Park. The council will also provide the Old Woking Community Centre with £15,000 to employ a part-time IT worker. Grants were awarded to the Pyrford and Wisley Flower Show and to Friends of Woking Palace to continue their good work. Repeat funding was made available to Woking Shopmobility and the Woking Community Transport Fund to help meet the needs of those with disabilities and attending appointments at St Peter’s and Ashford Hospitals.
There appears to be consensus from both parties that this year’s awards have been effectively targeted. As well as money provided through grants, the council provides assistance to the voluntary sector through support in kind, such as car park passes and use of the council premises.
A list of grants made to the voluntary sector can be found on the council’s website.
Traffic calming measures on Maybury Hill, Old Woking Road and Park Road
I’m pleased to report that County Councillor Liz Bowes and I have been successful in persuading Surrey County Council to introduce traffic calming measures in areas of Mount Hermon where residents have complained about problems with speeding.
After a number of accidents at the junction of Old Woking Road and Maybury Hill, the County Council agreed at a recent meeting of the Local Committee to introduce traffic islands on the approach to Maybury Hill to narrow the lanes and encourage drivers to reduce their speed. The pedestrian island on Maybury Hill will also be moved closer to Old Woking Road to make the junction more visible to traffic approaching from Old Woking and coming into the town through Byfleet. The County Council will also put down coloured anti-skid material to highlight the junction and make it easier for drivers to brake at short notice should the need arise.
The improvements at the junction have been on the County Council’s work programme for some time and the area was also independently highlighted as a collision cluster site at the most recent Road Safety Working Group, so I am pleased that the changes will be delivered before the end of the financial year.
Following representations from residents, the County Council has also agreed to introduce and fund a build-out feature on Park Road to encourage motorists to watch their speed. I went out with the local SpeedWatch patrol last year and saw for myself how bad the traffic is along this road, so it is good that the need for effective traffic calming measures at this location has finally been recognised.