Floods in Thames Ditton
Shortly after we last went to press the village was inundated by an estimated two and a half million gallons of tap water when a huge main burst behind 44 Basingfield Road in the small hours of 30 November. Our heartfelt sympathies to more than 50 residents who had to evacuate their homes. A dozen are still in temporary accommodation. Several High Street businesses also suffered damage and loss of trade. Our RA councillors and officers were on the scene at dawn and throughout the day. We helped to put affected residents in touch with the loss adjuster, to keep pressure on Thames Water who responded well to the emergency, and later to lobby Elmbridge to get the village cleaned up. With help from alert residents who sent in photographs and reports we were able to post good coverage of the events on our website as they happened, and flag them up to regional and national media.
Drains in Thames Ditton
Meanwhile Thames Water are currently finishing the works that will connect up the new pumping station in Speer Road to the foul drains and reduce the risk of future clogging and backwashing in our sewers. This should mark the successful end of another long campaign by the Residents' Association to get them to address this problem.
The flood highlighted beyond doubt that although surface water drains could not have coped with the huge amount of water issuing from the burst main, many such drains in the village, especially those along Station Road, were simply not working. This has long been a problem, and latterly local residents led by Martin Perrin of Station Road have got up a petition about it. The drains in question are mostly not within Thames Water's responsibility, and the new foul-water works will not help with that surface water. It is Surrey County Council who must keep them clear. Our RA County Councillor, Peter Hickman, has mounted sustained pressure on Surrey's Highways Department and it has become clear that part of the problem has to do with insufficient equipment (Surrey are now going to spend a further £1million on more flood control measures and drain-cleaning machines), and partly with inadequate supervision. However, we can report some significant progress: Peter has managed to get them to clear three gullies including the one responsible for the infamous 'Basing Lake' of the past 24 years. The action now is to get Surrey, who are under the illusion that they have fixed all the drains, back to finish the job.
Street cleaning
Linked also to the clogging of surface water gullies and drains are the problems in cleaning the streets caused by parked cars. Elmbridge Borough Council's monthly clean can not often be carried out fully. Leaves and muck build up, and are subsequently scrunched into the drain traps. We are trying to get this issue better addressed. Meanwhile, the Thames Ditton street cleaning schedule for fortnightly periods is now available on our web site, and the one for Weston Green will follow shortly. You can help by moving your cars elsewhere on those days.
Floods and drains in Weston Green
Your RA councillor Tannia Shipley has continued to dog Network Rail and Surrey CC, who between them (and a few private landlords including the kennels on Portsmouth Road) have responsibility for the network of culverts, pipes and ditches that all too frequently fail to drain the lake that forms under Esher Station railway bridge after heavy rain, making life intolerable for cars and pedestrians alike. Tannia's seven-year campaign on this matter was put into perspective when Network Rail discovered in a dusty file cabinet that the problem was first reported by a Mr May in … 1914 ! However, Tannia reports progress in that Network Rail and Surrey are actually co-ordinating efforts and each has performed some of the many necessary works. More remain - the drainage network in question is about two miles long - but Tannia is determined to see it cleared even if, she says, "I have to die in a ditch."
Storm
On 18 January a fierce nationwide gale brought down substantial trees in Thistledene, Ennismore Gardens and Ember Lane, and sundry branches and roof slates elsewhere. We were lucky: no casualties were reported to us nor major damage to property or cars. The county authorities acted swiftly to clear the blocked roads and débris.
Kerbs in Basingfield Road
More progress to report: the value of electing an RA councillor to the County Council is again illustrated by the final success of Peter's efforts to get the kerbstones along Basingfield Road properly refixed. Bad parking, and cars being driven over them while passing or turning, had broken them down. They are now being reset more deeply alongside the concrete road surface instead of lying on top of its edge. This will have the benefit of adding about 18 inches to the width of the road, which should make passing easier when cars are parked down one side.
Planning
Several major planning issues where we are actively supporting residents are at critical points. An impressive 550 residents have signed a petition against plans by Cranstoun House to admit current drug users to their rehabilitation premises at 5, Ember Lane. For the past thirty years, only those who have come off drugs have been accepted there. Much more on our website (address at end of article). 94 residents have petitioned against a plan to demolish the historic pub Ye Olde Harrow in Weston Green Road and replace it with a massive block of flats abutting Green Belt land. The Planning Officer has recommended against this development. Despite 60 residents having lodged objections, the Planning Officer has recommended that the third application to build 6 flats in the back garden of 16 - 18 Embercourt Road be approved. This will be vigorously contested by residents before the Elmbridge East Area Planning Subcommittee on 26 February, after we go to press, where these applications are to be addressed. Meanwhile 208 residents signed a petition reinforcing objections to development plans to demolish 13, Queens Drive and build a terrace of six townhouses there. The developer is appealing to the Planning Inspector against the earlier Elmbridge decision to turn this down.
Graffiti
This continues to be a problem, but Elmbridge Borough Council's Environmental Care graffiti removal unit has reacted with commendable promptness to remove fresh graffiti on buildings and walls in the village when we report it. Dealing with persistent and less accessible trouble spots is more problematic.
Goodbye to "Iron Mike"
Iron Man triathlete Mike Lockwood is leaving Elmbridge Borough Council after an outstanding decade including seven years as Chief Executive, during which he raised £2000 for our Hospital in the London Marathon among many services to Thames Ditton and Weston Green. We wish him well.
New PCSO
A warm welcome to Laura Deyoung, our new Police Community Support Officer who joined Surrey Police last November and after training is now with PCSO Richard Platt on the beat for Thames Ditton, Long Ditton and Hinchley Wood. Laura's spare time is spent looking after her two-year-old son, and she enjoys swimming and outdoor activities.
Congratulations
To Sarah Searle for organising the best Christmas Fayre ever in the High Street on 13 December. A report and photos are on our website.
To Vivienne Harris and the Thames Ditton branch of Cancer Research UK on raising £14,000 for cancer research over the past year. Their recent dinner and cabaret at the Vera Fletcher Hall raised £2500. Performed by The Shakespeare Revue Company, the cabaret was sponsored by Lodge Bros. (Next is the quiz and supper on 20th April. Call Vivienne 0208 398 6787).
To a small but remarkable group of street carol singers centred on Newlands Avenue, for raising £500 for the Princess Alice Hospice. Their number includes at least two opera singers of international repute.
AGM and updated Constitution
As the existing Constitution of the Association has not been updated since 1994, it is proposed to put an updated constitution to members for adoption at the AGM (see p.5). This will reflect current best practice. Copies of the proposed updated Constitution will be available at the meeting and can be obtained beforehand upon request to the Hon. Secretary. The Resolution before the AGM reads:
"THAT the Constitution submitted to this meeting, initialled by the Chairman of the Association for the purposes of identification, be adopted as the Constitution of the Association in substitution for the existing Constitution."
Local Elections - 3rd May
Please do turn out and vote. We don't take office for granted. If you are disillusioned with the national political parties, there is an alternative - your Residents' Association candidates.