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'Tune In' to Sheerwater and Woodham

What is "Tune In"?

"Tune In" is the name for a series of community based workshops across the Borough, aimed at providing residents with the opportunity to:

  • Discuss issues in their local area

  • Meet representatives from a range of public sector and voluntary bodies who work in the area

  • Consider how collectively they can address issues that are raised

  • Consider how they can become more involved in the day to day life of their neighbourhood

Tune In meeting update - 22 November 2007

On Thursday 22 November 2007, the Neighbourhood `Tune-In“ meeting was held for Sheerwater and Woodham at Bishop David Brown School in Sheerwater.

The purpose of the meeting was to give residents of Sheerwater and Woodham the opportunity to meet and discuss local issues, and consider areas for improvement and development in the area. All attendees were invited to explain their concerns on arrival and they were then given the opportunity to discuss three issues in small groups with trained facilitators. As well as talking about the issues, local people were asked to think about the possible solutions and what they could do to improve the area in which so many live and work.

Woodham residents were invited to discuss issues where they lived and two further groups addressed priorities that have been decided on following the Community Needs Assessment.

A number of issues came out of the meeting which the Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council, the police and the community in general need to investigate. I have listed below some of the issues and responses and will continue to update this periodically.

  • Lighting in Dartmouth Ave, in area of the shops - Surrey County Council is in the process of procuring a new contract using £65 million from the Department of Transport, which will replace upwards of 85% of the County“s street lighting over a 5-year period between 2007 and 2012. This Project will bring huge economies of scale and as such the County has made the decision not to replace or install any more of its old lighting until then, with minor exceptions made to this rule. We have kept a record of this request which will be reviewed when the contract is let. Further details of the project can be found on Surrey County Council“s web site.
  • A245 Sheerwater Road , Near Canal Bridge, request for crossing facility - Surrey County Council have advised that the A245 Sheerwater Road was investigated as a Route Management Study and the final report was published on the 28 August 2002. The report recommended a crossing facility should be installed to the north of the canal bridge and feasibility and design work for such a crossing were completed during 2006/07. Construction works for the Puffin crossing is now completed.
  • Speeding in Woodham Lane - Surrey Police have provided the following response.

For those residents that reside in the Woodham lane and surrounding area we are currently seeking volunteers to set up a community speed watch in the area. For those of you who have not heard of community speed watch, this is a scheme that has been set up locally which other areas have been benefiting from. The idea of the scheme is to empower local residents to take action against those who are the root cause of the problem and this allows residents to really get involved in the policing of their local community which can assist all of us in making the area a better and safer place to live.

If anyone is interested in this scheme please contact our casualty reduction officer PC Chris Wilkes 0n 0845125 2222 or email him on wilkes2700@surrey.pnn.police.uk.

  • Ponding at Martyrs Lane junction of Woodham Lane - Response provided by Surrey County Council. " The issue is being investigated, be assured we are aware of the situation".

  • Parking on verges in Albert Drive- Response provided by Surrey County Council

    " As you are aware, the Albert Drive area of Sheerwater was constructed at a time when the car ownership was considerably lower than it is today, and as such off street parking is limited. In a number of cases, the owners / occupiers of the properties in the area have applied for and been granted permission to park their vehicle in the front garden of their property, using an authorised vehicle access.

    The parking of vehicles on the highway verge is not permitted, however a balance needs to be taken in this area, as these vehicles would be displaced to either other verge areas or park on the carriageway, if posts were placed around the area where they currently park now. Neither of these options would be acceptable.

    The creation of parking bays was discussed at the County Council Local Committee on the 28 February 2007 and it was agreed that the Local Transport Plan (2006 to 2010) Objectives and Targets would not be met and therefore parking bays would not be considered for this area.

    The Local Transport Plan is focused towards improved accessibility and therefore improving walking and cycling. The Woking Cycle Network (Route 1) is routed through Sheerwater using cycle tracks along Albert Drive linking to Woking town centre / railway station and West Byfleet".

Updates will appear as issues progress, for further information please contact Yvette Lanham on 01483 743475 or email yvette.lanham@woking.gov.uk