Action plan

I got together with the two other ward councillors, Pam Bradley and Michael Arthur recently, and we worked out some of the key things that we would try and focus on for the next few months. In no particular order:

1) Moving of the bus stop in High Street: The work has been done satisfactorily, but the bus stop flag still has to be moved. Councillors will monitor the situation, and press SCC if this has not been done within four weeks.

A refurbished Heritage bus shelter has been acquired for this site. The indications are that it will be installed by August.

2) 'Threshers' - The 215 order was not appealed by the owner and this means that he has until June 19th to carry out the works. Some signs that repairs to the outside of the building have started and this is perhaps encouraging. We will press council officers to see this through.

Other buildings including the property next door to Threshers and the former Ganache (90 High Street) are still of concern, and may require further 215 notices if no progress is achieved.

We have asked for a meeting with Mark Berry and other officers in late June to review progress and determine future strategy.

It is a positive sign that work has started on the old Post Office, which has been an eyesore. We are are of the view that investment in this building should be encouraged and will discuss with officers how to facilitate development.

3) Roundabout at Cheam Road/Star junction - We agreed that some revisions to this junction need to be made to make it safe. This will be taken up with SCC highways.

4) Gibraltar Recreation ground - Awaiting an update from Ray Woolston as to action on the flooding problems. We will chase this up if nothing heard by late June.

There are some other areas in the park that need attention. Some of the benches need repainting and are overgrown with foliage; and material excavated when children’s playground created was dumped in corner and is now overgrown. Could do with landscaping. The appropriate offices will be contacted to see what can be done about this.

Councillors would also like to investigate movement of lights from current bumpy, narrow path leading to Ewell West Station, which is prone to flooding, to the wider, more even and central pathway created when the playground was built. Officers will be contacted to see what can be done.

5) The Dell is a pleasant an area behind Portway Crescent. Michael has been in touch with the National Trust about cleaning up and repairing this. There is however a fence which is the responsibility of EEBC that needs replacing/repairing. MA will contact officers to enquire about getting the fencing upgraded.

6) Graffiti- Pamela pleased with effectiveness of pyracantha planting along certain vulnerable walls and fences. She is pressing for further areas in the ward, including near the United Reform Church, where there has been vandalism, to be so planted. Not getting a reply from officers as yet though.

7) Recreation provision - We are pleased that playground provision for under 12s has been improved, especially Gibraltar Rec. However, consideration should be given to recreation provision for 12-15 year olds. Adventure type playgrounds could be investigated, and this will be raised through Leisure Committee.

8) A sum of around £15,000 remains to be allocated for Ewell Village environmental improvements.. There are suggestions that part of this could go to improvements to fencing at Bourne Hall. Also possibly some of the desired improvements at Gibraltar Rec might be funded this way. Will seek early meeting with officers to discuss.

9) Great concern expressed by residents about proposed Wilsons development at Kiln Lane. Michael and myself have to declare an interest, but Pamela Bradley and Neil Dallen of Town Ward will speak in committee. I may also be able to speak if new rules are implemented in time. Many residents have written to oppose, and we are optimistic that this can be nipped in the bud.

Plans for a bookkeepers in the former carpet shop in the High Street were rejected by planning committee in May, in what councillors considered a victory for common sense. Planned development in Austyn’s Place also rejected.

12) Traffic and parking - Congestion in the village still extremely bad for most parts of the day, and it appears that phasing of lights at Spring Street junction is not correct. In theory the phasing should be adjusted by central monitoring system, but does not seem to be happening. CW raised the matter at Local Committee meeting, and Martyn Williams of SCC after initially saying ‘there isn’t much a problem’ did promise to look at this again.

There are still a number of bad parking hot spots in the ward. We will press for greater levels of enforcement. Officers will be asked key question - how many hours of traffic warden time is Ewell ward being allocated?