Woodcote (Epsom) Residents Society

A public right of way is a path that anyone, by law has the right to use.

Surrey County Council is responsible for around 2164 miles of public rights of ways. These paths are in both the countryside and urban areas. They are important for enjoying and exploring, for travelling to work or school and for health and wellbeing.

Work has now begun to update Surrey County Council’s Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The current plan dates back to 2014. These plans set out how the public rights of way network can meet everyone’s needs now and in the future.  

A public online survey has been set up and Surrey County Council hope as many members of the public will complete it as possible. 

You can find the survey is at  https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/rowip-public and closes at midnight on 10 March 2024.

WERS is pleased to have received a helpful car park update from Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. They have also confirmed that trust Managing Director, James Blyth, has agreed to speak at our Autumn Open Meeting – details to follow shortly.

We understand that plans for the multi-storey car park are not going to progress on the short term.

Instead, the hospital is looking at potential upgrades and maintenance to the current Epsom Hospital car park while they review different design options and potential improvements before a formal design phase later in 2024.

They are re-looking in particular at:

Legal requirements including the need for wider bays to make access earlier for blue-badge parkers

Exploring ways to make car parking as sustainable and future-proof as possible including adding additional electronic vehicle bays and ways to support staff travel schemes

Further traffic modelling to confirm the projected parking needs once the new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital is opened in Sutton by 2030.

More to follow shortly on improvements over the past year, the findings of a new condition survey currently underway and plans for a new five-year estates strategy.

A temporary closure order has now been made by Surrey County Council for a period of 5 months from 19 February. The remedial works to the footbridge will be undertaken between 8am and 5pm. It is aimed to complete the works as soon as possible within that timeframe.

Meanwhile the existing diversion arrangements will remain in place as shown below along the Dorking Road and Wells Road.

The demolition works are due to be completed in July. Demolition of the walls to Woodcote Lodge (the former nurses’ quarters) is due to start on 12 February. To avoid major dust and noise problems we understand that there is not to be any crushing of masonry on site.

We expect to be able to post a more detailed update on the expected works activity programme after the next site meeting on 26 February 2024.

This is an important opportunity to influence the outcome. It only takes 5 minutes to complete the four questions in the survey which is open until 30 January 2024.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey sets out the vision of the new Chief Constable for Surrey Police for the next two years. She believes the plan will significantly boost the service provided but requires an annual increase of between £10 and £13 for an average property. An increase of less than £10 a year by an average property would include cuts in staff numbers.

Dear Residents  

Today is the beginning of the week before Christmas and I would like to send you best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

It’s also a chance to update you on some important local issues and to give you advance notice of our Annual General Meeting at the Haywain Brewers Fayre on Dorking Road Epsom on 11 March 2024 at 7.30pm.  I hope you will come and offer your support for what we do. The AGM is an important opportunity to hear what is going on in our area, what is planned and to contribute your thoughts on how we can help to improve where we live. More details of the meeting to follow in the New Year.

The Society is here to help make sure local voices are heard and influence local decision making but to do that we need to hear from you about the problems and issues affecting you.  We function entirely through the efforts of a few volunteers and we are always pleased when members get in touch. If you would like to find out more about what we do please visit our website and if you have any queries complete the ‘Contact us’ form on the web site or e-mail me at mumford806@btinternet.com . The benefit to you and your family and to other residents of getting involved can be significant. You will be warmly welcomed.

Finally, I would like to give a warm welcome to our new residents and urge everyone to support the Society in 2024 by renewing your annual membership in January. It is very easy to pay on the website or by bank transfer. Without your subscriptions we cannot produce these newsletters, maintain our website, or support local residents with local issues. In addition if you have a local business it makes sense to advertise in our quarterly newsletter which goes to 2,500 residents in Woodcote & Langley Vale.  Rates can be found on our website or by emailing info@woodcoteepsomresidentssociety.org

John Mumford, Chair