WWF Announce Consultation Dates

WWF has announced when it will consult residents on its plans for Brewery Road Car Park. Events will take place at the HG Wells centre in Woking as follows

Tuesday 19 October

6.30 pm to 8.30pm with a presentation between 7pm and 7.45pm

Wednesday 20 October

2pm to 4pm with a presentation between 2.30pm and 3.15pm

and 6.30pm to 8.30pm

The events are pitched as an opportunity to see the "concept design" of what it would appear WWF want to call the "Living Planet Centre".

Please do try and get along to one of these sessions and find out what WWF are planning. I am interested to hear your views. Do you think this is acceptable development for the car park? Would you like to see changes to the plans? Or would you rather the car park stays as it is?

Consultation Concerns

I first heard about the consultation dates earlier this week, with dates only, no times. The next information I had was from an 'In Brief' item in the News and Mail. This contained only the session times. Turning to the notices at the end of the paper I found a very small notice by WWF - taking up a column just one eigth of a page wide. Hardly mass advertising of the events. There is, as yet, no information on the Council website. I have asked council officers to confirm how these events will be promoted.

Planning Application Round Up

Very few planning applications in recent weeks. Here is a round up.

PLAN/2010/0944
A single storey side extension and a first floor extenson over the existing garage for Asha in Horsell Park.

PLAN/2010/0931
Crombie, 30 Thornash Road is seeking a Certificate of Lawful Development for a single storey side extension.

PLAN/2010/0893
Coxhill Farm in Deep Pool Lane is seeking a Certificate of Lawful Development for a two storey rear extension and single storey extensions to north and south elevations. There was previously an application to demolish the existing property on this site and build a new property. This was withdrawn. This is an application to make these changes to the property without the need to submit a full planning application.

PLAN/2010/0798
Application for a single storey rear extension at 18 Tresta Walk.

PLAN/2010/0864
Another single storey rear extension, this one is at 40 Horsell Park Close.

PLAN/2010/0885
Oak Cottage in South Road are seeking to add a single storey rear conservatory to the property.

An application at 90-92 High Street to convert office space to four one bedroom flats has been refused.

New cycle crossing of Victoria Way

Crossing over Victoria Way in a rush to work this morning I saw a site notice. I got chance to have a look on the way home. It is an application for a cycle crossing of Victoria Way. The plan emanates from Surrey County Council. The detail is not clear but I think the plan is for a separate crossing for cyclists. The notice says the plans can be seen at the WBC offices but I can't see where there are to be found online. A search of applications for both wards that meet at the road - Horsell West and Goldsworth East produces no relevant application and the Surrey CC site only seems to have applications for mineral extraction. The Cycle Woking website has details of a new crossing of the canal in the Hermitage area but nothing about this plan.

I will continue my search and report back when I have full details of this plan.

UPDATE
Shortly after posting this I received the plans for the crossing in the post. As a councillor for the area I was notified directly. This still doesn't answer my issue that it is not easy for local residents to access this information. Why can't such plans go on to the Internet as for planning applications.

I was also made aware by a colleague that as this is the County Council the notice is effectively a "traffic order" not an application and so they will go ahead and build the crossing unless there is a legal objection. In fact work has now begun to clear the bushes and other plants near to the Council offices in preparation for the crosssing.

I have no reason to object to the crossing. A separate cycle crossing makes sense and gives both pedestrians and cyclists more room. I am just unhappy about the process and Surrey's lack of consultation with local people.

Missing Bus Information

Further to my piece on changes to buses running through Horsell that were not communicated to passengers another SCC failure in communication has come to my notice.

One of the buses that serves Woking High has been dropped, another has a new number and one has a different departure time. None of these changes were advised to the school before the new term started this week. The school only learnt of the changes through reports from students and parents.

Is it really so difficult to tell people what is going on Surrey?

Planning Applications 9 September 2010

Can't believe that Thursday has come around again. Time for the weekly update of planning applications.

Just two this week - one householder application and a Council application.

PLAN/2010/0799
Elwood, Waldens Road, Horsell
Summary description has this as "erection of a replacement dwelling" but looking at the detail of the application it describes two storey side extensions and internal reworking. The property is a relatively small bungalow so it maybe that the planners feel this is effectively a new dwelling. I have queried with the planning officer and will update this post when I have more information.
UPDATE - planning officer has told me that as little of original property will remain and it is two storey extensin to bungalow this is classed as 'erection of replacement dwelling'.

PLAN/2010/0820
Application to retain the recycling centre at Kestrel Way for the next two years. Permission for this small site on Kestrel Way seems to come up for renewal every couple of years.

Update on Horsell Scouts and Guides

Attended the WBC Executive tonight where an "enabling" paper was presented on future funding for community facilities including new accommodation for Horsell Scouts and Guides. The paper envisaged using money made from Wolsey Place shopping centre (now owned by WBC) to fund these local community projects. Some concerns were raised, including by me, about whether the funds from Wolsey Place could be guaranteed in the future. I also asked about how projects would be assessed for funding, what criteria would be most important and about timescales. Didn't really get any satisfactory answers on these questions. On timing I was told by the Leader of the Executive that it was "the beginning of a journey".

The Executive supported the paper and council officers will now progress feasability reports on each of the projects.

New home for Horsell Scouts & Guides?

Horsell Scouts and Guides has been fundraising for what seems like forever for a new headquarters. The existing building, which is used by the scouts and guides themselves, Young World pre-school and the Karen Clarke dance school needs much on-going maintenance. The group is now reaching the stage where it may have enough to match any funding it can source from grants and it has looked into the funds available from various sources, including Woking Council.

Woking Council has discussed plans with the group and a paper is going to this week's council Executive meeting with proposals as to how the Council might potentially provide funds in the future for Horsell Scouts and Guides and other voluntary groups across Woking, including Horsell Village Hall, sports facilities in Alpha Road and Goldsworth Park and community facilities in Byfleet, Old Woking and St Johns. In summary the paper suggests that money generated from the Council's ownership of Wolsey Place may be used in future to help fund improvements to local community facilities. It is also suggested that this money could be supplanted by subscription from local individuals and businesses.

This matter goes before Woking's Conservative executive on Thursday. I don't have a vote on it but I can say a few words. I am interested to hear your views on this. You can email me at cllrann-marie.barker@woking.gov.uk

Buses and Car Parks

I returned from holiday to a message from a resident very concerned about changes in bus timetables last week and the lack of information from either Surrey or the bus companies on this matter. Some bus times have changed and other routes have been removed completely. It seems a small number of residents were told of the changes by bus drivers in the preceding week but many were not and waited vainly at bus stops. I am told that new timetables are available at Woking library.

I was aware that changes may be made following the first stage of Surrey's bus "consultation" but certainly had no idea this was to take place last week. I will seek further information from Surrey on Monday.

A short walk across Brewery Road car park early Saturday evening and I thought I was back in Cornwall. There was so much sand in the car park I thought I had been transported to a beach car park. The sand was in the far corner of the car park, where coaches used to park and near the drop off area by the bridge to the town centre. The cause of the sand appears to be holes dug, and neatly filled in the car park. I can only guess that the "holes" are test pits dug by WWF to investigate the land. I recall that Surrey carried out a similar exercise prior to their aborted move to the car park. It would have been nice to have been told about the work and a good idea to get the contractors to clear up when the work was finished. I will contact the neighbourhood officer on Monday about getting the mess cleared up.

Latest Horsell West Planning Applications

Still very quiet on the planning application front. I've just returned from a week in a sunny Cornwall so two weeks of applications combined follow. This still only means 3 applications. As ever click on the link to go direct to the full details of the application. You can commit directly on the application, send an email with your views or write a letter.

The application for the church site on Meadway Drive, close to the junction with the High Street, has been withdrawn. I am sure there will be a further application on this site and will look out for this application.

PLAN/2010/0802
Flagstones Horsell Vale
Extension at side and rear of property, part single and part two storey. This is an amendment to an application permitted in October 2009. An amendment to the 2009 application was refused planning permission earlier this year.

PLAN/2010/0797
Dennington Ridgeway
Erection of a car port in front of existing garage.

PLAN/2010/0825
Dumgoyne Bullbeggars Lane
Erection of detached single garage / store to rear garden.

Latest Update - Littlewick Road

Finally managed to get an answer from Surrey County Council about the roadworks in Littlewick Road. Gave up on county officers and went to the general helpline. Staff were very helpful. "Rob" who answered the phone obviously looked on the same web site page I searched, to no avail. However he then spoke to a colleague in Highways and put me through to her for an answer.

I don't recall the name of the person in Highways but she explained that a hole had been found in the road with a cavity underneath. The County Council had to investigate what had caused the hole. A utility was suspected but this had to be explored. After investigation there was no conclusive evidence of what had caused the hole so it will be fixed by County Council contractors. This should now be done in the next two weeks.

Latest Horsell West Planning Appplications

Still quiet on the planning application front here in Horsell. There have been two new applications in the past week. One is for an extension in Morton Road and the other for a demolition and new building on the outer edges of Horsell at Deep Pool Lane. As you will see below this site has a Chobham address but it is part of Horsell West ward and in the Woking BC area.

To view more details of each application and to submit your views click on the application number below. You can also submit a view by email (the officer dealing with the case is detaailed on each application) or write to the Planning Department at Woking BC, referencing the planning application number.

If there are local concerns about an application and ten or more objections are received a complainant is entitled to put their case before the planning committee.

PLAN/2010/0769
Coxhill Farm, Deep Pool Lane, Chobham
Erection of a two storey dwelling and garage following demolition of the existing dwelling on site.

PLAN/2010/0766
Woodlands, Morton Road, Horsell
Erection of part two storey side and rear extension and single storey side and rear extension.

Good news on Horsell Way Mast

I received some great news on the Horsell Way mast yesterday. Tyco Electronics, agent for Vodafone and 02, informed councillors that they are to "further investigate the Kestrel Way site as their preferred option". Tyco say that "the Horsell Way site will not be pursued any further at this time".

This means that 02 will look to put up a mast near Kestrel Way, on Horsell Common Preservation Society (HCPS) land. The site is removed both physically and visibly from homes, schools and businesses. It is a site that has had a good degree of public support.

There was much effort to promote this site at the time of the original Horsell Way mast application , but to no avail. It is a real step forward that 02 are now seriously considering this location. I understand 02 plan to meet Woking BC representatives at the site in the near future.

I will continue to keep residents informed on progress.

CAB Cuts

I am very worried to hear about likely cuts in both staff and services at Woking Citizens Advice Bureau.

Woking Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides a range of valuable services to local people. Through a small number of employees and an army of volunteers they offer legal advice, support on housing issues, help on claiming benefits, support on debt issues, employment problems, relationship issues, consumer rights, discrimination and more.

Contrary to popular belief CAB is not funded by government. It is a charitable organisation which relies on grants and donations. Woking CAB is not receiving its anticipated level of funding in the coming year and so it is looking at both cutting services and losing paid employees.

I visited the local CAB earlier this year with parliamentary candidate Rosie Sharpley and South East region MEP Sharon Bowles. We heard from Hazel Craig-Waller about the range of services provided and the number of residents helped by the CAB.

Cuts to the CAB, especially in the current economic climate, will be hard felt. Just at a time when the service is most needed it may need to cut back on its vital services.

Planning Applications 14 August 2010

Latest new planning applications in Horsell West, as of this week. Still a quiet period. The three applications added this week all relate to residential extensions.

First one up is an application for a two storey rear extension in Bury Lane. Check out the full details at PLAN/2010/0694/HOU.

And the next one is also for an extension, this time it is both a single and two storey rear extension and a single storey front porch in Heather Close. Full details at PLAN/2010/0730/HOU.

The third application is one listed last week (see below) in Holyoake Crescent. The application has changed so rather than a full planning application it is an "application for a certificate of proposed lawful development". Again this is an extension, single storey, at the rear of the existing property.

BriefUpdates

Unexplained Roadworks
I've just been asked about the roadworks in Littlewick Road in Horsell. Apparently there have been roadworks on this road for around two weeks - but no sign of any work. I had a look at Surrey County Council's web based list of works but there is nothing there about Littlewick Road. I have contacted Surrey County Council to ask what is happening.

Phone Mast
Still no phone mast application I am pleased to say but vigilance continues and I am on the lookout for anything happening on this.

Arthur's Bridge / Well Lane Junction with Lockfield Drive
I am still awaiting information from the County Council on what has happened since my question to the Local Committee about safety at the Arthurs Bridge / Well Lane junction with Lockfield Drive.

A Credit Union for Woking

Delighted to hear news this week that progress is being made on the Surrey Save Credit Union. The Credit Union will offer a savings and loan service to residents across Surrey, including Woking. The Union will be run by volunteers and offer banking services to those who may have difficulty accessing traditional banks.

The Credit Union has taken a long time to come together but hopes to start offering services next year.

Woking Borough and other local councils have supported the scheme but sadly Surrey County Council have offered little to the Credit Union.

Latest Planning Applications

Just two planning applications for Horsell West this week. No mast application yet but one plan that is likely to cause concern.

The first is for the erection of an extension in Holyoake Avenue. A previous application was withdrawn so I am guessing that this is a revised application, maybe following advice from planning officers. Planning application reference PLAN/2010/0695/HOU. The deadline for public comments is not clear on this application. I will update the post when I have that information.

The second application may raise some comment. It is for the site of the Gospel Hall, the single storey hall at the High Street end of Meadway Drive. The site was put up for sale several months ago when the religious group who met there decided to centre their meetings elsewhere in the county, closer to where most of their membership live. The site was sold by auction and an application has now been made to demolish the hall and erect a three storey building containing five flats, each with two bedrooms.

My initial thought was that the height of the buidling was out of keeping with other properties in the area. The surrounding area is a mix of two storey houses and shops with flats above. However on looking at the plans I see that the applicant is proposing a building that appears to be styled to fit in with the houses nearby.

My second thought was parking. Four spaces are proposed at the site. With five flats, each with two bedrooms and the potential for residents to be young people sharing this could mean one person per bedroom so potentially ten vehicles. If couples occupied each room it could mean as many as twenty vehicles. Local roads can't cope with the extra cars. This is a particularly heavily parked road, especially along the section between the High Street and South Close. It gets especially busy at school drop off and pick up time. The site also seems rather small for this building. What do you think? Planning application reference PLAN/2010/0700. The deadline for public comments is 19 August, but in practice comments will be accepted up until the time when the application is considered.

Given the public interest that this application is likely to generate and my concerns on parking at the site in particular I have asked that the application goes before the planning committee.

You can submit your comments on any planning application to Woking Borough Council at the Public Access to Planning website. I would also be interested to hear your views on any planning application. Email me at cllrann-marie.barker@woking.gov.uk

Look out for mast applications

A week and a half into the school summer holidays and I am keeping my eyes and ears wide open for any mast applications. After the pre-consultation on adding to the Horsell Way mast I am concerned that a full appplication may be submitted over the holiday period. Councillors receive a weekly email update of planning applications received and decided. I check this thoroughly each week. I also, particularly at this time of year, check the "Public Access for Planning" website which contains all applications. You can get the latest on planning applications yourself by clicking on the link.

Arthur's Bridge / Well Lane Junction awaiting information

The "Casualty Reduction Working Group" which was to consider the Arthur's Bridge / Well Lane junction with Lockfield Drive met on 21 July. I have still had no feedback from that meeting. Today I searched Surrey County Council's website for details of the group or its meetings but found nothing. I have now sent a query to Surrey asking what was the outcome of the meeting. I will post a further update when I hear from this meeting and get the full accident figures for the junction.

Update on Arthur's Bridge / Well Lane Junction

Since I last posted on this accident hotspot a few weeks ago there has been another accident and I received an answer to my question to Surrey's Local Committee.

In response to my question at the Local Committee I was told that the Safety Review I had asked for could only be done for new junctions. Despite the poor safety record at this junction it seems a Safety Review will not be considered. The County Council did agree to put the matter to another committee concerned with road safety. I haven't had any feedback from that meeting.

When I sought further action I was told that the County Council can't legislate for poor driving. I think this rather misses the point.

Whilst I was considering next steps to improve safety at this dangerous junction I drove right into an accident last Sunday. I was heading for Morrisons supermarket on Sunday afternoon. As I approached the top of Arthur's Bridge Road I became aware of a resident trying to pull out of his drive and another vehicle waiting to make the left turn towards Lockfield Drive. I drove around a parked car and edged into a space. It was then that I realised the traffic wasn't moving onto Lockfield Drive. In the middle of the junction, heading for a right turn onto Lockfield Drive there was a car with the driver's side badly dented. To the left of the junction was another car which I assume had hit the first car. Police were on the seen and directing traffic. Drivers coming out of Arthur's Bridge had to turn left onto Lockfield Drive.

I have seen no information about this accident since Sunday. I hope this means that no serious injury was suffered. This does pose the question as to how many non-injury accidents there may have been at the junction. I have written to the police to see if they have the answer.

Martyrs Lane recycling site is to close for redevelopment from 12 July. It will remain closed for 22 weeks. This means no local recycling site for Horsell residents until after Christmas.

Benefits of the redevelopment will be:

+ Easier, step free access to the recycling containers
+ Separate entrances for the public and HGVs to help reduce queuing
+ More parking – increasing from 20 to 45 spaces

Whilst the site is closed the alternatives are Slyfield in Guildford and Lyne, near Chertsey. Both alternative sites are a similar distance away from Horsell. Lyne is 4.5 miles away from Martyrs Lane, a total of 7 miles from the centre of Horsell village. Slyfield is 7 miles from Martrys Lane and 6 miles from Horsell Village.

In order to cope with the heaviest demand summer months the two alternative sites will stay open until 7.30pm every evening until the end of September.

The improvements sound very welcome. It is disappointing that the site has to be closed for such a long period. This redevelopment has been talked about for some time and it was originally thought that the site would be able to remain open during the work. I do hope that the redevelopment leaves to an improved system that reduces queues into and around the site. The last time the site was changed several years ago it led actually increased queues.

Horsell Way Mast Rears Its Ugly Head

Barely a month back into representing Horsell West and I came home to a letter I did not want to receive. The communication was from a company representing Vodafone. They were writing as a 'pre-consultation' on plans to share an existing phone mast in Horsell Way with 02. This would involve a larger mast, with antennae and more ground equipment.

Long-standing residents will recall the lengthy campaign fought by local people to reject Horsell Way as a mast site. There was a huge response from residents to an initial pre-application consultation, to the planning application (which was rejected by Woking Council) and to request that Vodafone’s appeal went to a public inquiry. The public case was very strongly put at public inquiry. Despite all of this the application was allowed on appeal. Now Vodafone are back and looking to add to resident' misery.

On receipt of the letter I immediately notified immediate neighbours, those involved in the previous application and Horsell Residents Association about the consultation. A local resident circulated details to those in the closest parts of High Street, including Cromar Court; Horsell Way and Nursery Close.

I have also spoken with the person from the Council who was very much involved in the previous application.

Our response points out to the mobile operators that there is an alternative site, provided by Horsell Common Preservation Society, in a location outside what is considered the 'danger zone' and urging Vodafone and 02 to use this site which can accommodate a number of operators.

I will continue to work with the Council to encourage operators to move to the new site. We must now be on the lookout for the inevitable planning application that is likely to follow this consultation. Going by previous mast appplications it is likely to be submitted in late July or in August. Operators like to wait until much of the population are away on holiday, presumably in the hope the application will not be noticed.

Blog Updates

You may have noticed a whole swathe of blog posts in the last day. I have been having intermittent problems with my wireless connection on my laptop for the last few weeks. This has meant that when I get time to use the computer it takes so long to tackle other matters such as resident emails and research for meetings I haven't been able to post blogs. I had them all written off-line but not loaded.

I am pleased to say that the problem with the connection is hopefully resolved and my blogs will immediately go online in future.

Concerns about key Horsell junction

I was very concerned to learn of a traffic accident at the junction of Arthurs’ Bridge Road / Well Lane and Lockfield Drive this week. Several people were injured when a car travelling along Lockfield Drive hit another car turning onto Lockfield Drive. The injured included a toddler who suffered serious facial injuries and was airlifted to St George’s Hospital at Tooting.

I experienced some bad driving at that junction just the other day. I came up Arthur’s Bridge to turn right onto Lockfield Drive with one car in front of me and another one behind. For some reason the driver in front of me slowed and put on his hazard lights as the lights changed. I followed slowly behind but was aware of the driver behind me getting impatient, even before the horn he sounded his horn. The car in front finally got moving and went through the pedestrian lights on Lockfield Drive just before they turned to amber. I got there just as the lights turned amber and stopped. The car behind me, which I think it is quite likely had turned right against a red light, raced up into the outer lane and straight through the pedestrian light that was by now turning red.

History

The junction of Arthurs’s Bridge Road with Well Lane and Lockfield Drive has long created local debate. Take a step back more than 10 years to 1998/9 when the closure of this junction was a big local issue. The police had decreed this was a dangerous junction and Woking, which at that time was responsible for highways in the borough, concurred and put up temporary barriers preventing right turns. At this time there were no lights controlling the junction but there were pedestrian crossing lights, as now, on Lockfield Drive.

The closure of the junction led to much protest, residents were concerned about longer journeys and particularly about having to go through the town centre at busy times to travel to the west, especially to Guildford. Others, primarily those living along Well Lane and Arthurs Bridge and roads off, thought the closure would reduce traffic down their roads, and welcomed the closure.

Despite resident’s protests Woking Council was unwilling to re-open the junction and installing traffic lights was seen as a costly solution. The temporary barriers which initially blocked the road, were made permanent and the debate continued.

Eventually funding was agreed for a light controlled junction. Further delays followed due to budgetary pressure but a light controlled junction was finally installed.

The new junction caused further issues. There were concerns about how the traffic and pedestrian lights synchronised. Parents taking their children to Goldsworth School were very worried about safety. Their concerns included the proximity of the two sets of lights and the short interchange between each phase of the lights.

Former county councillor John Doran worked with residents to review the light sequence. Residents petitioned to have the road narrowed to one lane. The light sequence was improved but no the road remained unchanged.

Moving Forward

This latest accident revives all the previous concerns. It is prescient that Surrey’s Local Committee for Woking meets next week. I have submitted a question to the meeting, requesting a safety review of the junction.

If you saw the accident please contact Surrey Police who are seeking witnesses

Budget Reaction

I don’t like the additional 2.5% on VAT. It’s pretty galling to think that a fifth of any purchase (with notable exceptions such as books, children’s clothes and cold food) is going straight to the government. Compared to an increase in tax, once we get an increase in VAT, its not likely to go down again. However apparently this level of VAT puts on a par with many of our European neighbours.

There are worrying cuts planned for the future, with talk of 25% cuts in key departments including the Home Office and Education. Only the health service and overseas aid are protected. These cuts threaten our schools and police service. Most of the costs in a school are the teachers. Could this mean a quarter fewer teachers. Maybe a reduction in teaching assistants? I am a governor at a local infant school which has been at the leading edge of high staffing levels, using teaching assistants to complement trained teachers. The teaching assistants are not used to replace teachers they are part of a team in each class. The loss of this valuable resource would have a significant impact on an ‘outstanding’ school.

My reaction to the budget led me to question what Liberal Democrats want from the coalition and how both the party and the country can gain from this form of governance? A detailed coalition agreement sets down what each party agreed to in order to form the coalition. The Liberal Democrats achieved government commitments for a referendum on a fairer voting system, taking those earning under £10,000 out of the tax system (the budget has at least made a start on this objective), a pupil premium to assist disadvantaged pupils and restoration of the link between pensions and earnings.

I can’t be totally happy with the budget. I have concerns about further cuts to come. I am reassured that with or without Liberal Democrat support the Conservatives were likely to have increased VAT. Being part of the coalition means the Liberal Democrats can get some policies through and can restrict or restrain some Conservative policies.

The end of free swimming?

It is a real disappointment that our new government has dropped the free swimming scheme that was due to run until March 2011. The scheme provided for free swimming for young and older people. My two children both benefitted from the scheme. Users had to sign up to the scheme and were issued with a card to show on each visit to the pool. Initially signing up was free of charge, but more recently a £2 charge was introduced (presumably to cover the cost of administration and the card itself). Until this scheme came in it was getting very expensive just to take two children swimming. I’m sure the actual cost can be quite prohibitive for those with bigger families. My older daughter can now head to the pool by herself and a free swim was a great way of keeping her occupied and exercised at weekends and in the holidays. She loves swimming and it was one more way of keeping her away from the computer.

I have to confess to having less knowledge of how useful the scheme was for older people but I can imagine it was of great benefit to those on a fixed income. One less thing to pay for is always welcome.

I’m particularly unhappy that the scheme is set to end in July, just as the school holidays begin. Several years ago, during a brief period of Lib Dem control of Woking Council, we were keen to provide free swimming, although just for school holiday periods. The scheme was trialled over an Easter holiday and was popular. Local police figures showed a drop in anti-social behaviour during that holiday period, Hardly conclusive I know but I do firmly believe that offering young people some positive activity to fill their time with, that is accessible to all, can play a part in reducing less desirable behaviour.

I note that Liberal Democrats in Three Rivers, Hertfordshire are keeping the free swimming scheme running, at least to the end of the school holidays. Wouldn’t it be great if Woking Council could do the same?

Fox Concerns

I was concerned to hear about the presumed fox attack on twin baby sisters in North London recently. We have a large fox population in Horsell. I frequently see foxes running into the woods near my home and late at night or early in the morning I see foxes all over the village.

A few years ago I was asked about the fox population by residents of Waldens Park Road. They had seen a number of foxes around and were concerned about the safety of their children. I contacted Woking Council and they provided a very useful booklet about foxes which I passed on to the residents and posted on my Window on Woking site. You can find the booklet here http://www.woking.gov.uk/planning/envhealthservice/pest/otherprotectedspeciesandfoxes/urbanfox

Fast forward to 2010 and I have been contacted by a concerned resident, worried about foxes living vey near to her home, in the light of the attacks on the baby twins. I have passed on the booklet details but I have also written to Woking Council asking what additional measures they are proposing in the light of the weekend’s events and actions being considered by both London boroughs and the Mayor of London.

Golden Farewell to Humfrey

I see our former MP Humfrey Malins has received a ‘resettlement grant’ of £54,000 after standing down as an MP at the general election.

I can understand that it is appropriate to pay a resettlement grant to those MPs who lose their seats at an election. It would seem particularly necessary for those who may have moved to, or lived in their constituency and who may now need to relocate in order to find alternative employment. This does not apply to Mr Malins. He never took it upon himself to live among the people he represented here in Woking and he stood down by choice. I believe he continued his ‘other job’ as a crown court recorder throughout his parliamentary career. On this basis I fail to understand why he should receive this huge amount of money. One assumes he his life will continue as before, he’ll just be doing one less job.

Maybe Humfrey would like to make a parting gift to Woking from his windfall – a donation to the local hospice would be a popular choice. Alternatively he could give the £50,000 to George Osborne to help plug the hole in the country’s finances.

Next steps

So, after all the hard work of the campaign, I am delighted to be Horsell West's new representative on Woking Borough Council. Now the real work starts ...

There are three main strands that I will focus on in the coming weeks

Getting Informed
I need to be up to data on current Council issues, my role as a councillor and the issues that my predecessor (Richard Sanderson) has been dealing with in Horsell. I was a councillor between 2004 and 2008 so this gives me some advantage over a 'virgin' councillor but I am sure I still have much to learn over the coming weeks and months. We have an informal meeting of Lib Dem councillors this weekend, I am attending an induction for all new councillors early next week and Richard and I will get together for a briefing session later in the week.

Finding my role on the Council
All councillors attend full council meetings and need to work with the rest of the group to decide which committees they should sit on. For the group running the Council several members need to serve on the Executive which runs the Council and sets policy direction. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee casts a critical eye over Council decisions. Then there are two essential committees with regulatory powers - Planning and Licensing. Planning is the committee that residents are most likely to have encountered. Planning applications go before the committee for everything from a household extension to a major new development. Licensing looks after all licensed premises, pubs and bars, late night opening of restaurants and cafes. Finally the Standards Committee is responsible for ensuring high standards of conduct among councillors and looks at any legislation involving standards, as they relate to the borough council and the Appeals committee deals with appeals on homelessness.

I need to find my role, one that will best represent Horsell and use my existing knowledge and experience. I was Vice-Chair of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee (there used to be several) and Chair of Licensing Committee during my previous time on the Council. However, planning matters are important and I should maybe consider this committee. Richard Sanderson was on the committte in the past.

Listening to residents and setting priorities
The previous two strands are important and necessary, but most important of all is taking forward your priorities. I would like to work with the County Council to improve road safety. I will push again for real, effective traffic calming in Brewery Road; measure to slow traffc in South Road, tackling parking in the village centre, dealing with commuter parking. I will follow closely plans for a WWF HQ on Brewery Road car park and raise resident's serious concerns. I'd like to see more youth provision in the village.

But what about you? What are your priorities? What do you think I should be doing in the coming weeks and months. Please comment on here or send me an email, drop me a line or telephone. All my details are available from the Council but for now use my personal email annmarie.barker@gmail.com as it will take a while for me to be set up on council systems.

Once I have all your ideas I will post on here, letting you know what I will be working on, in the short, medium and long term. I will then report back on progress. I look foward to hearing from you.

Elected - Thank you very much everybody

I was honoured and delighted to be elected the new councillor for Horsell West in the early hours of Friday morning. As ever Horsell was very close between Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Just 47 votes separated me from the Conservative candidate. UKIP came in a whisker ahead of Labour. The final results was

Ann-Marie Barker 1852
Conservative 1805
UKIP 245
Labour 217

Thank you to everybody for all your votes. Of course the General Election pushed up the turnout but I do feel very humbled that more than 1800 Horsell residents gave me their support.

A huge thank you to my team, particularly Richard Sanderson and his wife Sarah. Richard has represented Horsell as a councillor for more than a quarter of a century and Sarah has been behind him all the way. I hope I can carry on Richard's good work over the coming four years. I wish Richard well in his 'retirement' . Big thanks are also due to John Doran, former Horsell county councillor, who has been a stalwart of Horsell campaigns over a number of years. Rob Payne, as ever, did a wonderful job getting our poster boards up, and promptly down again. Margot and John Craig were always there to lend a hand. Many others played their part, helping us to deliver literature, canvass and prepare material. Thank you to everybody. It couldn't have been done without you.

Would you vote Labservative?

As support for the Lib Dems increases in this election it is interesting to see the reaction of the two old parties "Labservative".

Here in Woking the Tory and Labour candidates have been agreeing with each other at the hustings. They agree to such an extent that the Conservatives quoted the Labour candidate, extensively, in a recent piece of literature.

I heard recently of a hustings in Hampshire, where, when asked which party they would support in a hung parliament the Labservative candidates said each other.

These two old parties really seem to be so concerned to preserve the old system, that's the one where they take it in turns to run the country and Lib Dems and other smaller parties get a few seats. Labservatives know it may be a few elections to wait, but eventually it will come around to their turn again. Neither of the old parties wants the Lib Dems to upset their cosy life.

May Fair on Wheatsheaf Common

Enjoyed a lovely afternoon out at Horsell Scouts and Guides May Fair today. Well, it was lovely when the sun was shining. When the clouds came over, an icy wind blew and it was seriously freezing out there.

As ever the scouts and guides put on a great show, from tug of war and it's a knockout for the children, through the brilliant Karen Clarke dancers, birds of prey, martial arts and a fire brigade rescue demonstration. My younger daughter was fascinated by the man being rescued from a car by the fire brigade. She also loved the big slide and mini-waltzers.

We walked around the fair with Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Rosie Sharpley who had some interesting chats with our Horsell neighbourhood police officer, the local fire brigade and local residents.

Horsell Residents signed up some new members, there was much interest in Horsell Common Preservation Society and I was pleased to see they now have postcards of the Pegasus sculpture on Broomhall Common.

A hot topic of conversation for me was what class our children would be in when they start at Horsell Village this September. Didn't find anyone else who'll be in the same class but did learn about somebody we know from a local toddler group.

Judge a man by the company he keeps ....?

Is there any truth in this old saying?

It certainly rang alarm bells for me when I saw that the Tory Euro MP who called the NHS "a 60 year mistake" had been in Woking supporting the Tory candidate.

It seems to run counter to the Tory candidate's claims to support the NHS.

In election literature our 'local' Tory talks about his role on the Surrey Health Scrutiny Committee. He says that he has been working to secure the future of Woking Community Hospital. Sounds good doesn't it? Rather a shame then, that when he had an opportunity to vote against the loss of beds at Cranleigh Community Hospital (in his county council division), he sat on his hands. Only one person on the committee voted to save beds at Cranleigh Community Hospital - Rosie Sharpley, Liberal Democrat candidate for Woking.

Parking Issues

Lots of road issues tonight, mainly on the subject of parking and cars driving too fast. This is in an area on the edge of current parking restrictions in Horsell. Whilst I don't like the idea of Horsell becoming one giant Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) something has to be done in certain roads.

Unlike our Conservative colleagues, who go ahead and make changes to the areas without asking or even telling residents, we Lib Dems like to consult first. Time to get out in the next few weeks and ask residents if they would like some parking restrictions. The option for a 9.30am to 11.30am parking restriction seems to work well for some roads. It removes all day commuter parking.

Residents may remember the dreadful situation in Arthur's Bridge Road a few years ago. Commuters and LA Fitness users parked all along the road and on every junction. Visibility for drivers, cyclists and pedstrians was terrible. The local Lib Dem team consulted residents on appropriate restrictions, including double yellow lines on junctions. We can all travel along and across the road now without fear.

Conservative Concerns

I hear news that the Conservatives in Woking are not happy with Lib Dem literature. A key issue for them seems to be us pointing out that Woking was the third choice for their candidate. It's absolutely true. He tried for Ann Widdecombe's old seat in Maidstone back in January 2008, and failed. Then he went up to Lancashire, trying for another safe seat, later the same year. He failed. Finally he settled on Woking in October last year and became parliamentary candidate. I make that three tries for a seat.

He had of course stood a number of years ago in a seat in Oldham, the area where he grew up. He lost. Similarly the Lib Dem candidate for Woking, and local Woking resident, Rosie Sharpley stood in another Surrey seat, Horsham in 2005. Rosie went to school in Horsham so when the Lib Dem candidate for that seat stood down, Rosie filled the gap, late in the day. She was up against Francis Maude, a senior Tory with a large majority. Rosie knew she couldn't win but flew the Lib Dem flag and cut her parliamentary teeth. In 2006 Rosie put her name forward for Woking Constituency and was selected as parliamentary candidate.

Just a quick update on previous posts today

- Surrey County Council has still not deigned to reply to my concerns about the new traffic posts on Brewery Road

- There seems to have been no progress on potholes. A few weeks ago there were council contractors out and about repairing holes but I haven't seen any for a while now. I cycled down Wilson Way (runs from High Street to Pares Close, St Andrews School and several smaller roads) and counted 36 potholes!!!

Mad March Hares

Hot on the heels of the posts on Brewery Road (on which I am still awaiting a response from Surrey) I hear news of further failures of consultation from our beloved County Council.

Over in Brookwood a new traffic island, dubbed "Fishwick Island" by local residents, in reference to a senior county council officer, like the Brewery Road posts appeared in late March. The island is meant to help pedestrians and cyclists cross the A322 Bagshot Road, in the run up to Brookwood Crossroads. It is located opposite the Total petrol station and is on a direct route betwen two parts of the canal bank. Residents were surprised to see the island appear close to an existing combined pedestrian and cycle crossing. According to local residents the crossing affects cars wanting to make a right turn at the crossroads and has led to some motorists driving around the island (potentially against on-coming traffic).

The island appeared around 20 March and residents knew nothing until it was in place. See the website set up by residents here.

A further piece of County Council folly is detailed on the getsurrey website. Surrey has had to take out a cycle lane in Leatherhead, which cost 70K to install. The cycle lane was too narrow and featured numerous obstructions. In an attempt to widen the path Surrey used paint that made the path slippery when wet.

Still no response on those posts

Well, surprise, surprise, Surrey County Council have still not bothered to reply to my emails about the posts erected on Brewery Road. They are obviously holding out to their 20 day reply time.

I have yet to find anybody who thinks the posts serve any useful purpose . Taking a trip along Brewery Road you can now watch pedestrians dancing and weaving to find a way past each other on the new narrowed path.

Three weeks to election day ...

We are now over a week in to the election campaign proper and the pace is really hotting up. I am finding that people on the doorstep have a much clearer idea of which way they are going to vote, although there are the inevitable "undecided" and those who may not vote at all because of the expenses scandal and behaviour of some MPs.

There is a great deal of support for Vince Cable, so many people tell me he is the only one talking sense on the economy. Recognition of Rosie is very high and people are keen to vote for a local candidate who has worked for our area for so many years.

On your marks, get set, go ...

Politicians around the country are off on the final sprint of the 2010 election campaign. Gordon Brown went to the Palace this morning and has now announced, as everyone anticipated, that 6 May is the date for the General Election. My husband seems to go have got into election mode - I threatened to paint Rosie on his back in this outfit!

Residents of Horsell West, and some other parts of Woking, will have two votes on 6 May. One for a new MP for Woking and one for a new local councillor for Horsell West. In both cases a 'new' face is guaranteed.

Humfrey Malins is standing down and the Liberal Democrat candidate Rosie Sharpley is in with the best chance the Lib Dems have ever had to replace him. Rosie is well known in the constituency. She's been a councillor in Goldsworth Park for 21 years, worked locally as a nurse and served as a magistrate in Surrey. As the Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson she's worked hard for our area in the last three years.

Meanwhile over in the Tory stable, Mr Malins stood down just over a year ago but a new candidate was not selected until last October. I understand that 'local' candidates did put their names forward but a PR man from Blackheath, who had already tried to get selected in Lancashire and Maidstone (Anne Widdecombe's seat) was chosen to go up against Rosie.

Labour have gone for a young candidate, having been deserted by their original candidate who went off to try for a 'safe seat' in London.

UKIP are definitely in there as well. I don't know much about their candidate. He comments a lot on various online forums. I believe he lives in one of the huge blocks of flats by the station. I suppose that gives him a good 'overview' of much of Woking.

In Horsell West I am looking to replace Richard Sanderson, who is standing down after a massive 26 years on the Council. He is the longest serving councillor and dates from a period when there were just a handful of Liberals on Woking BC. Now the party is one seat behind the Conservatives.

Richard and I have spent much time talking to residents in the last year and looking into local issues. I want to return to the Council to provide a voice for residents who often seem to be forgotten by both Woking and Surrey. This tendency has been shown all to clearly in recent weeks when Surrey took it into their heads to put traffic posts along the sharp bend on Brewery Road. During my time on the Council I was pleased to be able to intervene and stop Woking BC putting in a bid for a Casino, without consulting residents. As a result of my intervention the Council was forced to consult, via a telephone survey, and the conclusive answer was "No" to a casino.

If you still need to register to vote you have until 20 April. You can also register to receive your vote by post or to get someone to vote on your behalf. Details for Woking residents can be found here.

When is a flood not a flood?

Why when Surrey County Council can't see it of course!!!

Many residents will have encountered the flood that regularly engulfs the zebra crossing on the route from Brewery Road car park to Footpath 19A (a popular walking route to Horsell Park and beyond).

At times the flood renders the crossing totally unusable. As the flood subsides it is possible to travel across the road in the vicinity of the crossing, but this may involve pushing the button on the Pelican lights and then running to the edge of the crossing to find dry land.

Pedestrians walking along the pavement are at risk of a free cold shower. Some drivers are considerate and slow down or drive in the centre of the road (on-coming traffic allowing). Others race through with not a care for those on foot. Back in January my daughter and I were soaked by some inconsiderate fool travelling through the standing water at speed.

Surrey say they don't know what is causing the flooding. They recently told the local paper there wasn't a flood there when they came to look at the situation. I expect that would be because of their dreadful response times. Anybody who has sent an email to Surrey will probaly recall getting an instant response - but this response just tells you they will respond to you query in 20 working days. A month, to respond to a query!!

Still no response

I am still awaiting a response from the County Council on my questions about the posts erected on Brewery Road. It is now Easter, so Tuesday is the earliest time I can expect a response.

I have seen a reply to a local councillor on the erection of the posts and it confirms my suspicion that they were funded from some money left in the budget at the end of the year.

I wish they had put that money into something that would benefit the local area. I don't have to go far to suggest several things they could do, just in Brewery Road, such as:

• Stopping the flooding that makes it dangerous to cross at the zebra on the route from the car park to Horsell Park and threatens pedestrians with a free cold shower
• Filling in the potholes on Brewery Road that are growing by the day
• Re-surface Brewery Road

And of course the list gets longer the further I travel , but this is indicative of the issues facing us all over Horsell and Woking.

Last Post ...

The whole series of posts are now in place, all around the bend on Brewery Road. I have received nothing from Surrey County Council. Not even an acknowledgement of my email raising concerns. Tomorrow will be a week since I raised by concerns. I know a number of residents have also raised concerns. Surrey just went ahead and erected the rest of the posts.

Residents, quite rightly, have to apply for planning permission when they change the appearance of their home in even a minor way. Why is it that the County Council can erect these posts which have such a dramatic effect on the local scene and block the pavement without telling local residents.

I have found one person who has a use for the posts!

More on those posts

I have taken the opportunity to have a closer look at the new posts in Brewery Road. As of Saturday there are still just two posts in position, but as reported previously there are markings for many more.

I had a photo taken alongside the posts as you can see above. Whilst we were taking the photo a couple walked by along the pavement. They just fitted between the posts and the edge of the moor. My younger daughter and I stood between the posts and the moor and there was little room left on the pavement. If a parent and two children walked along the road one of them would be walking on the grass. There is no room for passing on the pavement and this is not the narrowest part of the pavement!

I have written again to Surrey County Council expressing my serious concerns.

Concerned about traffic posts on Brewery Road

I'm very concerned about some new traffic posts that are starting to be erected along Brewery Road. The aim is to slow traffic but I am not at all convinced that they are going to be effective. The posts are set to cover a huge distance from just past the postbox (near the children's playground), right along the bend towards Woking, and finishing just before the next side road into Horsell Moor.

I think the massed effect of these posts is going to be ugly and intrusive. They will really spoil what is currently a green view across Horsell Moor, defined by trees, shrubs and grass.

The posts are positioned quite a way into the pavement so will reduce pavement width, quite critical as the pavement narrows as it approaches Horsell Moor. I will be difficult for people to pass as the road narrows towards the road into Horsell Moor and quite a problem for double buggies.

Residents haven't been consulted on the erection of the posts and people I have spoken to so far are not convinced that traffic speeds will be reduced.

I have written to the County Council officer involved raising my concerns, as has local Lib Dem councillor Richard Sanderson. Despite being an elected representative in Horsell he was not informed of the County Council's plans.

I believe the posts are being erected because there is some money left in the budget at the end of the year. Residents are not to get their long awaited traffic calming, despite this having been proposed by former Lib Dem county councillor John Doran a number of years ago. I understand the budget is frozen for all road safety schemes for the coming financial year. This scheme appears to be a sop to Brewery Road residents. In my view the County Council are wasting their money. Residents want real traffic calming.

Taking A Stand

I am now in possession of my nomination papers to stand as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Horsell West at the forthcoming local elections.

My long serving colleague, Richard Sanderson, is standing down after 26 years as a local councillor.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to take over and continue his hard work over many years. Of the three councillors representing Horsell West there are currently two Conservatives and one Liberal Democrat. I hope to maintain a Liberal Democrat presence in the ward to reflect the strong Liberal Democrat support in Horsell.

If elected I am keen to continue the work I did on the Council between 2004 and 2008. I will set out my aims and objectives over the next few days. Along with others in the local Liberal Democrat team I have been talking to people around Horsell since last September so I hope I have a good idea about what concerns people. If we haven't visited you and you would like to raise an issue please let me know.

Communication and consultation are key priorities. Residents need to kept informed about what is going on in their area and given a chance to have their say. As a councillor:

• I was successful, against Conservative opposition, in requiring neighbours to be directly informed about applications for extended hours or entertainment licences from licensed premises
• I informed residents about plan for mobile phone masts
• I ensured residents knew about major planning applications

Local Policing on the National Stage

Good to see Horsell and the Allotments featuring on the Today programme on Radio 4 this morning. I was particularly pleased to hear praise for our local neighbourhood police officer PC Parish (now an Acting Sergeant) who was very accurately described by one of the allotment holders interviewed as a “First class local constable”. PC Parish, along with a series of PCSOs (two of who have gone on to become full police officers) has been doing a fantastic job of policing Horsell for almost four years.

Do Conservatives Really Want to Listen?

Surrey County Council, Woking Borough Council, local police and other agencies involved in providing services to people in Woking held a 'Community Question Time' last Wednesday. It was one event, for the whole borough, held in the HG Wells in the town centre. Many attendees will have had to park in the centre and incur a parking charge.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the event - conflicting pressure of husband, older daughter and me all wanting to be in different places at the same time and a younger daughter to get to bed. From reports I have heard it sounds like I didn't miss much. It was not so much a question time as a talk at you time. I recognise that there is a need for a certain amount of introduction and scene setting required at this type of event but when an event is billed as a community question time you would expect the floor to open up to public questions with the minimum of preamble. Not so at this event apparently.

The funny thing is a local Conservative is now suggesting that a quarterly or twice yearly event that moves around the borough would be a good idea. It's a great idea and one that was put in place under the theme 'Tune In' through a local Liberal Democrat initiative.

I did see the term 'Tune In' on some advertising for last week's event, but it was a misnomer. The purpose of 'Tune In' was to hold a regular dialogue in the community. As with last week's event the various local service providers got together. The difference was that there were several events around the borough, based on policing areas. One 'Tune In' event was held in each area before the Conservatives quietly forgot all about it. 'Tune In' set a framework and really engaged local people. I attended two events, in Horsell and in Goldsworth Park, both were packed and there were many people keen to play ar part in their local community. As far as I can see all that is left of the initiative is 'clean-up days' in some areas. These are great events and a good chance for the community to work together but Tune In was meant to be so much more.

You Don't Have to Clean Your Wheely Bin

Hot on the heels of my experience with the dodgy burglar alarm company I hear news of a company offering to clean wheely bins. Nothing wrong with this. Some residents may appreciate having their wheely bins cleaned for a fee. The issue with this company, according to BBC News is that they tell residents that Woking Council requires their bins to be cleaned to meet council standards. Woking Council has confirmed that it does 'advise' residents to keep their bins clean but it does not employ a company to enforce bin cleanliness. The company concerned uses the name 'Woking Wheelie Bins'.

You can see Woking Council's advice on this matter here. This includes using the Surrey Police non-emergency number if you are concerned by a sales representative at your door 0845 125 2222.

Beware of Callers Offering Free Burglar Alarms

Last night I recieved a sales call at home. This, in itself, is unusual because our phone is TPS (Telephone Preference Service) registered. Signing up to this free service dramatically cuts down the number of sales calls. There are still a few that come through but most companies abide by the rules and the threat of a fine.

The caller said they were from the 'National Crime Research Group' and due to 'a slight increase' in crime in the area they were working on a campaign to improve safety. Alarm bells immediately started ringing for me as I had never heard of this organisation and I knew there hadn't been a rise in crime in our area. I carried on listening as I wanted to know the reason for the call. I can't recall the exact words used by the caller but the implication was that this organisation was working with police or another recognised body.

The caller told me that my household was one of four lucky winnners of a free burglar alarm. She offered to get her colleague to call me straight away to arrange a visit and a time to fit this new 'free' alarm. At this point I said 'no thank you' and ended the call.

I tried dialling 1471 but the number was withheld. I did an internet search and no record of the company name I was given. I then sent the details of the call to our local neighbourhood police officer to see if this was something he had encountered before.

As expected I had a prompt reply today. The neighbourhood officer had not come across this before but colleagues came up with details. I was sent a very useful press release explaining that these people provide a free burglar alarm but commit 'lucky winners' to contracts that can cost thousands of pounds.

The 'con' has been reported to trading standards across the country. Callers use various 'company names' and say they are working with the police or calling as part of a government scheme or researching for a fire and security alarm company. They aim to visit straight away to fit the 'free' alarm but also sign people up to pay fees for monitoring, upkeep, and rapid response facilities. These fees can add up to thousands.

If you do sign up for one of these schemes you have a seven day cooling off period in which you can cancel. However if you have the alarm fitted within these seven days you waive this right.

The warning is beware. Be very cautious. If you receive one of these calls report it to the local police. Please advise older residents you know of this con.

National Parking Award for Brewery Road but WBC still want to build over it

Brewery Road car park has won a "prestigious award" for its 'recent' refurbishment. This award is supported by 'Parking Review' and the 'British Parking Association'. The Conservative Leader of the council said he was "delighted that Woking's efforts to improve our car parks through a multi-million pound refurbishment programme have been recognised nationally".

It is nice to get national recognition and I am sure residents appreciate having clean and safe car parks but, this refurbishment is hardly 'recent' and it seems incredible that WBC is taking praise for a car park they seek to build on just as soon as they can.

A classic quote in the Council's press release says "It is also clear the Council has a strategy for ensuring the parking environments are well maintained into the future." Well, I hate to tell you 'Parking Review' and 'British Parking Association' but this one is not planned to be well maintained into the future. WBC plans to replace the car park with an office block. The site will still provide car parking but at least some will have to be above or below ground.

Parking in Horsell to avoid expensive Woking car parks

I was down at the bottom end of Horsell Moor recently and saw the terrible state of the edge of the ground around the sports field and down to the squash club and junction with Arthurs Bridge Road. Cars have driven all along the area, some have really churned up the earth. There is no grass here at all, just mud. It really is an awful mess. This is a popular areas for commuters to park and walk into Woking.

Cars are also parked all along the road here, which at least means they are not blocking up residential roads and preventing people parking near their homes.

I can understand why people park their cars out of the town centre. It is just so expensive to park in Woking now. For somebody working a 5 day week you are talking about a cost of £8 per day or £40 a week. Add to that the ever increasing cost of petrol and its a huge chunk of many people's salary.

Now I am all for encouraging less car use and more cycling and walking but its not always possible for all sorts of reasons.

Perhaps Woking Council should look at another type of car parking provision. I wonder if there is any spare land on the Kestrel Way industrial estate where parking could be provided at low cost and a minbus service could bring workers into the town centre?

Clearing up Horsell

Saw a huge pile of litter all along the edge of Brewery Road last week. It's on the wooded area that separates Brewery Road from Horsell Moor. I immediately informed the excellent neighbourhood officer for Horsell and she got straight back to me to say she had passed a request for a clean-up to SERCO, the council's contractors.

I came along there again this morning and all the rubbish is still there, plus a bit more. I've contacted WBC again. They are awaiting confirmation from SERCO. Hopefully the area will soon be clean and green again.

Inaccurate Conservative bar charts

Conservatives complain long and hard about bar charts on Lib Dem leaflets. Grumbles range from claims of inaccuracy, through the choice of election result shown to which parties are displayed. I was very surprised therefore to see a recent Conservative leaflet, displaying, guess what, a bar chart.

Now, you would think, that for an election in Woking the local Conservatives, who under the incumbent MP Humfrey Malins had a majority of 6612 at the last general election would want to a bar chart showing the local situation. But no, perhaps the Lib Dems are just a bit too close for comfort, especially when Mr Malins is standing down and they only get around to selecting a marketing man from outside of Woking to fight their corner late last year.

The Conservatives have gone for the national general election result in their bar chart - and they can't even get that right!

Living in the UK's 'pothole capital'

Surrey is the UK's pothole capital, according to a survey by Kia cars. Our county is in first place in a survey by the car manufacture with Hampshire in second place. Kia has seen a 150% increase in claims resulting from potholes in the last month.

It seems its impossible to make a journey around our area at the moment without spotting potholes. The sheer quantity of holes in the road is incredible. I can't see how Surrey expect to get them fixed with their extra money, which comes down to just a few thousand for every ward in Surrey.

Here's a pothole recently spotted in Horsell.

Poll says no to Wolsey purchase

Hardly a scientific sample but amongst those who voted in my mini-poll on whether Woking Borough Council should have bought Wolsey Place 71% said no.

I think the Council stil has some work to do if it is to convince residents of Woking that this purchase was a good idea.

Threat to Local Fire Service

Very worried about the latest news on our local fire service. There are threats of loss of fire stations in Surrey (although Woking is not mentioned) and reductions in staff numbers and hours and the number of engines. It is being suggested that there will be less full-time fire fighters and more retained staff on duty at night. This will reduce response time as retained staff need to travel to a fire station before responding to a call. Fire Brigade staff say this could lead to fires spreading further and potential loss of life.

Following a county council meeting on Friday the Executive member responsible said she could not "confirm or deny" rumours of up to 60 job losses.

I am concerned about the way this is being handled by Surrey County Council. The future of the fire service was due to be discussed in an open meeting, with public and press attending. At some point this decision was changed and the public and press were asked to leave the meeting.

The local press are also reporting that Surrey twice misssed out on a chance to get additional funding through not submitting a business plan on time.

Horsell on Google Streeet View

Take a look at Google Maps and discover Horsell on StreetView. You can wander the streets of Horsell and zoom in and out on the area.

It is interesting to work out when Google filmed here. On Wheatsheaf Common Carters Steam Fair vehicles are in situ. This puts the date to mid September. On the corner of Broomhall Common and the Brewery Cut footpath there is a bare tree stump but no amazing Pegaus carving so filming must have been before 2009. Church Hill is closed and there is a water company van on the village side. My best guess at the moment is September 2008.

This is certainly a fascinating way to look around the area. It is very much a street (or road view). As far as I can see none of the footpaths are covered through Horsell and you can't even take the route from Brewery Road car park to the town centre.

Sections were obviously filmed at different times. Check out a dry Brewery Road (in the main) but a very sodden High Street and surrounding roads.

Here's Brewery Road and the car park entrance.

I posted yesterday about whether Lord Ashcroft would pay all those back taxes he owes. I think it is highly unlikely but it is an interesting comparison between the wealthy lord and the average man or woman in Woking.

Lib Dem Chris Huhne has calculated that Ashcroft owes an astonishing £127 million in unpaid taxes. This is the total that is likely to have been levied on his wealth since 2000 when he was appointed a Tory peer.

It is beyond belief that a man who has a say in setting our taxes has failed to pay taxes that could have paid for health services, police on the street or schools.

A petition has been set up calling on Lord Ashcroft to pay up. Why not sign here http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ashcroft-should-pay-a-decade-of-taxes.html

Tories reject plans to slow traffic in Horsell Village

Conservative run Surrey County Council has rejected plans to slow traffic in Horsell Village. Former Lib Dem County Councillor John Doran had persuauded the Council to include plans for a 20mph limit through the village and around local schools. This plan has now been deemed 'too costly' and dropped so far down the County's list of schemes it is not likely to happen in the foreseeable future.

Evidence shows that a pedestrian struck by a vehicle driving at 20mph is likely to suffer slight injuries. At 30mph a pedestrian is more likely to be severely hurt and if hit by a vehice driving at 40mph or more a pedestrian is likely to be killed.

Lib Dem run Portsmouth has shown that all is needed for such a 20mph scheme is to erect 20mph signs. This has been done in Portsmouth and they now have evidence of reduced accident rates.

The sad thing is that Surrey now has a policy to support 20mph zones, having shown little interest in the past. What a pity they can't put their own policies into practice.

Will Lord Ashcroft pay his back taxes?

It has taken quite some time but Lord Ashcroft, a Tory peer and major party donor has finally admitted he is non-domiciled. This means that although he pays some tax in the UK, he does not pay tax on all of his interests. As everybody with the slightest interest in the political world has known this for some time it is hardly news.

Lord Ashcroft is a Deputy Chairman of the Conservative party and is currently using his millions to fund campaigns to elect Conservatives in target seats. The BBC suggests he has spent £4 Million in Tory target seats in recent years and that he has been the largest single Tory donor since 2005.

However, credit where its due. Lord Ashcroft has finally come clean. About time too! He now appears to say that, if his party leader, dear Dave, goes through with plans for “anyone in the Lords to be resident and domiciled” he will pay UK tax. Mind you he doesn’t state this explicitly. Oh no. He says he agrees with Dave’s plans on the Lords and that he expects to be sitting in the Lords for many years. Maybe he knows that Dave won’t get around to requiring the Lords to be ‘resident and domiciled’ for many years.

I can’t help but compare this to a Mr or Mrs Jo Public who rely wholly or partly on benefits. Their status changes, maybe through employment, it could just be a few hours extra work. If this is not declared, and the relevant agency finds out about a change in status, immediate amendment to benefit payments will be required. Mr or Mrs Public will also have to pay anything that has been overpaid.

Surely Lord Ashcroft is effectively over paying himself. He is not giving up the tax that we ordinary citizens have to pay on the money that we earn. Now he implies that, if the law changes, he will pay UK tax. About time too. But my question is will you be paying your back tax Lord Ashcroft?