Ashtead Residents' Association

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Landslip closes railway to Guildford

Due to a landslip, the rail line between Effingham and Guildford will be closed for emergency engineering works. The line is scheduled to re-open on 27th December.During the closure, to stabilise and strengthen the embankment, 50 sheet piles - 8m (26.2ft) long sheets of metal - and a 30m (98.4ft) section of soil nails (steel rods), helping to underpin the railway will be installed.Rail replacement bus services will operate between Effingham Junction and Guildford, calling at Clandon, Horsley and...

Is this the death knell for Mole Valley District Council and Surrey County Council?

A White Paper has just been published announcing plans to abolish District Councils and merge both District and County Councils into one large Unitary Authority. This move will save an alleged £3 billion. Surrey is one amongst several similar areas with District and County Councils.It is being argued though that one Unitary Authority stretching from Farnham to Oxted would be too vast for efficiency and a better solution would be to split Surrey into two Authorities. This leaves the mo...

Planning Applications for Ashtead this week.

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Helen Maguire MP - Newsletter

As did her predecessor, Helen Maguire is sending a Newsletter to all constituents. Rather than repeat everything here, the easiest thing is to follow this link to her web site.If you wish to sign up to receive her Newsletter to your own mailbox, visit this site to register....

Rail Crossing to Link Road Footpath resurfaced

In August 2023 the Residents' Association started a campaign to improve the Town Path from Links Road to the "Green Lane" pedestrian rail crossing. An application was made by the ARA for CIL funding to Mole Valley Council.  Supported by MVDC Councillors David Hawksworth and Pat Wiltshire the application for £35,000 was successful.Rather than deal with the numerous bureaucratic hurdles themselves, the ARA passed the project over to Surrey County Council Highways. As with many areas "Highway...

Banking hub - partial success

Councillor Stephen Cooksey, Leader of Mole Valley District Council (MVDC), said: “I am delighted to bring you news that following cash access assessments for Dorking and Leatherhead, as requested by MVDC, LINK has recommended the permanent provision of a banking hub for Dorking, and ‘an automated deposit service (notes)’ for Leatherhead.“The setting up of the banking hub will be led by Cash Access UK and it is expected that it will be in place in Dorking in a matter of months. Meanwhile ...

MVDC's Welfare Hub

“We have seen temperatures plummeting in recent weeks, rising energy costs and the loss of the winter fuel payment for many. This combination of factors could make for some challenging months ahead. Whether you have a family, are over 60, a person with a disability or health condition, out of work, a carer, or simply looking to cut back on your everyday energy bills, advice is available. Take a look at the Welfare Hub webpage on the County Council’s website to find financial support, welfare...

Network Rail Southern Region Newsletter

Welcome to November's stakeholder newsletter for the Wessex Route.   November is almost over and with Christmas and the new year rapidly approaching, Network Rail are giving you a lookahead to their Christmas works and what they have planned for the start of 2025. There is plenty happening here and now though, with SWR unveiling a new train, successful engineering work on the West of England line and network rail engineers getting creative on a bridge....

Planning permission for all-weather pitch has lapsed and Footpath redirection cancelled

As the application for the Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed all weather pitch in the Queen Elizabeth Recreation Ground has now been refused, it has been confirmed that the plan to redirect the Footpath 42 across the area has now ceased as it has been ruled out of time....

Free Parking Days in Mole Valley District Council-Owned Car Parks this December!

In order to promote local shopping and the support of businesses across Mole Valley this Christmas season, Mole Valley District Council has announced three days of free parking in all council-owned car parks across Dorking, Leatherhead, Bookham and Ashtead this December!On the Saturday 7, 14, and 21 December 2024, visitors to Mole Valley’s towns and villages can enjoy free parking all day to support a range of local shopping, events, dining, and entertainment venues. Whether walking, cycling, ...

Proposals for a new cycle path through Ashtead

The Mole Valley website has detailed facts on these proposals and rather than replicate everything here it is better to follow this link to that page.You will see a Public Consultation is to be held in the future, but in the meantime it is suggested you make your views clear to your local MVDC Councillors and Surrey County Council Councillor. Follow this link to see details of all Councillors and their email addresses....

Changes in how you pay for your garden bins

From 3rd January 2025 the way you will be paying for your garden bin is changing. The present Direct Debit system is being switched off and instead you pay by card by visiting your Mole Valley "My Account" page. For those residents who do not have have the internet or are suspicious of paying for goods online, you can telephone 01306 885001 or call into Council Offices to pay using their computers.MV advise that you will be emailed one month before expiry of your subscription and reminded t...

Upcoming roadworks in Ashtead

The Murreys          Road closed29 November For 1 day        9am to 4pm                NO PARKINGSometimes our plans must change, often due to bad weather or problems on other works in the same programme which can have a knock-on effect. If anything changes with the details of these works, we will let you know.Woodfield Lane (upper section)Road closed  ...

Ashtead Charity Calendar now on sale

It is that time of year when the Ashtead Charity Christmas calendar goes on sale. It is printed by a local charity, Royal British Legion Industries, and commission is paid to local shops per calendar sale, but all net proceeds go to a local wildlife charity. The calendar is professionally wrapped and includes a gift envelope. The price is £11 per calendar and it is a limited edition which is on sale at Harris Newsagents and Inkplus, Barrnett Wood Lane, Ashtead and the Post Office, The Street, ...

Jane Austen-Inspired Georgian Christmas at The Swan Centre, Leatherhead

This December, The Swan Centre invites you to experience the enchantment of a Georgian Christmas, inspired by the world of Jane Austen.On Friday 6th December from 3pm – 6:30pm and Saturday 7th December from 11am – 3pm, the Centre will transform into a festive scene straight out of the Regency era, complete with artisan market stalls, costumed characters, and traditional Christmas festivities that will captivate all ages.Friday 6th December (3pm – 6:30pm):On Friday, visitors can enjoy an ex...

Hacked!

If you receive an email from ashteadra@tiscali.co.uk that looks suspicious, that is because it is! Do not reply or follow up on this email, even to check what you believe it is - spam! Just delete it, and let the webmaster know....

Consultation on proposed Police HQ in Cleeve Road Leatherhead

Surrey Police will soon open a public consultation into plans for its new divisional headquarters in Leatherhead.An in-person consultation will run from 16:00 until 19:00 GMT on 28 November at Police Federation HQ in Highbury Drive, Leatherhead.See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7n0prvj5zo...

Update from the new ARA Committee (15th November 2024)

We are delighted to announce that a new Ashtead Residents’ Committee was duly elected at the General Meeting of the Association last night. Following a year fraught with uncertainty, association President, Larry Unthank was able to introduce a full card of nominations, all of whom were elected unanimously.In addition, Professor David Hawksworth CBE, recently retired from his Mole Valley District Councillor position, was elected as a Vice President.The new committee will be led by Chairman Pete...

Transition Ashtead - Christmas Swapshop

The Pre-Christmas Ashtead Swapshop is on Sunday 24th November in the Ralli Room of APMH 2.30 to 4 pm.  You are invited to bring a box or bag of items you no longer use and take away a box of items you would like to use!  Clothes, shoes, books,, household items, DVDs, CDs, toys, games, puzzles etc area all welcome. Please only bring items in good, working condition.  We cannot accept plug-in electricals. This is a great opportunity to have a clear out or maybe find some Christmas g...

Links Road to Green Lane Townpath improvements - Now starting 25th November for two weeks.

The Residents' Association successfully applied for a Grant of £35,000 to improve the often muddy and impassable footpath from Green lane over the railway to links Road. The funds will come from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) pot held by Mole Valley Council. Thanks must go here for the assistance by the then Ashtead Independent Councillor, David Hawksworth for his support on the CIL Committee.As the works will involve proximity to the railway plus installing new drainage the ARA is ple...

Green Lane Crossing - New Gates

Following concerns raised on Ashtead Unhinged and subsequent letters of concern to Network Rail, new latches have been fitted to the tops of the new gates making them more secure. In addition, the self-closing hinge mechanism seems to have been adjusted to ensure the gates close automatically.That said, it is sensible to ensure the gates are closed behind you once you've passed through. As there is now a metal latch fitted will users also please show consideration to neighbours and close the lat...

Local Plan formally adopted on 15th October 2024

The new Mole Valley Local Plan was adopted on 15 October 2024. It sets out a 15-year strategic vision, objectives and the spatial strategy as well as the planning policies and site allocations that will guide future development of the borough. The Plan looks ahead to 2039 and identifies where the main developments will take place, and how places within the district will change, or be protected from change, over that period. The main role of the Plan is to guide decision-making on individual plan...

A3 and M25 (Junction 10) Road Works

Rather than replicate the details on the Highways web site, it's easier to just to to https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m25-junction-10/ for information....

Southern & Thameslink Line Closures

Major engineering work will be taking place later this month that will affect some Southern ‘Metro’ and Thameslink services in south London, as well as sections of the London Overground network.The work will mean no trains will run on parts of the rail network for up to seven days, from Saturday 26 October through to Friday 1 November (inclusive). Southern and Thameslink services that are affected are those that travel through the Crystal Palace / Tulse Hill / Peckham Rye areas. This will al...

Mole Valley Hub

The ARA has been asked to highlight the events taking place this month at the Mole Valley Hub.This month they are excited to mention we have a 3-day Customer Service workshop in partnership with Clarion and United Living. There is also a guaranteed practice interview with an employer at the end of the sessions. For the full programme for October see the link to the pdf below....