esher residents association
The Esher Residents Association represents all shades of opinion in Esher, including those of children, young people and visitors from overseas who are living here.
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(Left) A picture from the ERA Burns Night Supper, held in King George’s Hall, Esher, on Friday 22 January 2010.
posted 25 Jan 2010... (from Hinchley Wood Residents Association)
CARD FRAUD FOLLOWING TRANSACTIONS AT AT SHELL HINCHLEY WOOD FILLING STATION
Following the HWRA chairman's letter to the Chief Constable of Surrey about this issue we have had a very helpful discussion with the officer in charge of North Surrey CID. This has served to clarify the situation and leads us to believe that fraudulent activity at the Shell station has ceased.
All the card compromises at the Shell station are believed to have taken place in or before January 2009. In particular, over a two week period in January criminals gained access to electronic records held at the station containing the details, including PIN numbers, of every card used at the station in that period. This represents several thousand cards. The criminals have gradually been working their way through these carrying out fraudulent transactions, and it is this which gives the impression that the fraud is ongoing.
Shell security have been active, and as a result all the staff have been changed*, and the compromised IT system has been changed (twice). As a result, the police and Shell believe that the fraud at the station has stopped, and that there is no more risk attached to card use there than at any other filling station.
[* doubts have since been raised about whether this is in fact the case and we are awaiting further advice from Shell on this point.]
But it is still possible that people will experience fraudulent transactions if they used their cards at the Shell station during or before January 2009, so credit card statements should continue to be carefully checked and suspicious transactions reported to the card issuer and the police. If residents become aware of fraudulent transactions which cannot be explained by card use during or before January 2009, and which might indicate renewed fraudulent activity at the Shell station, they should likewise report the matter to the card issuer and the police.
Anyone who has experienced any problems with illegal transactions on their credit or debit cards or who has information relating to the Shell filling station should contact Detective Constable Clive Muspratt at Staines CID on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference EL/09/2548. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
posted 6 Jan 2010... Update on Dog Control Orders
Following the public consultation on this subject, the matter was then referred to the Countryside Consultative Group (CCG) on the 15th December for their consideration.
This is the mechanism for the Council to consult with representatives from a range of relevant and interested organisations.
Representing External Organisations were:
Nick Owen for Lower Mole Countryside Management Project
Ralph Hobbs for Natural England
Patrick Stephens for The Forestry Commission
James Adler for Surrey Wildlife Trust
Roger Garlick for Oxshott Heath Conservators
Rodney Whittaker for Ramblers Association Equestrian Representative
(personal observation: interesting omission of any dog-friendly orgs.)
The councillors in this group are :
Councillor J.R.Turner - (Chairperson)
Councillor T.C.Crowther - (Vice Chairperson)
Councillor C.J.Elmer
Councillor D.Tipping
Councillor L.Sharp
Councillor J.A.Vickers
Councillor Jan Fuller - (Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Affairs)
The CCG is an internal working group so this meeting was not open to the public. The CCG has no decision making powers, they simply offer opinions and make recommendations for consideration by the following meetings:
The Community Affairs Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 January 2010
Cabinet on 10 February 2010
Council on 24 February 2010
All three of these committees (subject to confidential and exempt information considerations and restrictions) are open to the public.
The overwhelming level of opposition registered by so many Elmbridge residents to the proposed orders appear to have made a significant impact on portfolio holder, Cllr. Jan Fuller. A news release issued by the council’s press office on 14 December stated that Cllr. Fuller would be making recommendations to the CCG at the meeting on the 15th. These recommendations (available to view on the Elmbridge web site), detail the new and drastically watered down version of the original proposals.
She has obviously listened and taken into account the strength of public opinion which has been voiced on this subject. We are still at a very early stage in the Council’s proceedings, but the indications are that the council have recognised how unpopular their original proposals were and have revised them accordingly. Opposers to the former DCOs are heartened by these new recommendations and feel cautiously optimistic that we could well be on our way to achieving fair and workable Dog Control Orders for the borough.
Susan Johnson-Newell
posted 18 Dec 2009... Happy New Year for drivers?
Fed up with the already heaving traffic problems in Esher? Fed up with the now tortuous navigation along Copsem Lane resulting from its new-found role as a car park? Fed up with trying to drive into Esher (from either Hersham or Kingston) during commuting hours because of the near gridlock conditions throughout Esher?
Be prepared to have extra misery piled on your shoulders!
The South Gas Network has decided to install a new gas main and also renew old mains along the entire length of the Seven Hills Road. British Gas HAD decided it would be "better" if the entire length of the road was to be closed off to all through traffic while they do the work - a project they are predicting will take 12 weeks from 28 Dec 09. ("We will make every effort to complete the project as soon as we can").
However, as a result of local pressure, South Gas Network has revised its plans. Seven Hills Road will be closed in stages, mostly when schools are on break. The full schedule of works is now:
28/12/09 - 03/01/10: Seven Hills Road closed and lane restrictions on Byfleet Road. Seven Hills Road will reopen on 04/01/10
04/01/10 - 31/01/10: Lane restrictions in Seven Hills Road South
15/03/10 - 11/04/10: Lane restrictions on Queens Road Roundabout
29/03/10 - 11/04/10: Seven Hills Road closed.
The road will reopen on 12/04/10
20/06/10 - 29/08/10: Seven Hills Road closed. The road will reopen on 30/08/10
During the closure, through traffic will be diverted. For those driving from Weybridge and Hersham to Byfleet (southbound), the diversion will be the Queen's Road, Esher By-Pass/Lammas Lane/Claremont Lane/Copsem Lane, A3 and A245 Byfleet Road. Northbound traffic will be diverted along the same route in the opposite direction.
Temporary traffic lights have been ruled out on the grounds of safety. But it is not all South Gas Network’s fault; they have liaised closely with Surrey County Council. So that’s OK then.
If you have any questions or concerns, there is a South Gas Network Customer Liaison Team, telephone number: 01689 881 340.
8 Nov 2009: From the ERA newsletter, Autumn 2009...
Did you know that Elmbridge Council holds regular on-line consultations/votes on major issues? These are displayed on the home page of the council’s website at www.elmbridge.gov.uk. Recent consultations have included the policy on casinos in the borough and the current one is on dogs on the commons and open spaces (see article below, posted on 16 Oct). Why not take a regular look and register your opinion?
Quiz Night! The Esher Residents Association is holding a quiz night on Saturday 14th November at King Georges Hall, Esher. It's at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. The tickets are £10 each and this
includes a fish and chip supper but 'bring your own' drinks. Teams (tables) of 8 are ideal, but we can mix and match on the night. All ages are welcome! For tickets please call: 07810 837024 or contact any of the committee members.
Did you know that our MP (currently Ian Taylor who will be stepping down when the General Election is called) has one of the largest majorities in the country and that his it is considered to be a safe seat and therefore a shoe-in for the nominated Conservative candidate? However, you can inf luence that choice for the candidate as there will be an open primary meeting is Saturday 21st November at 10.30am at Sandown Park. Everybody on the Electoral Roll is eligible to take part and all you have to do is register online at www.esherwalton.com. They point out that it is on a first come first served basis but if you want to have a voice, register now.
Albany Bridge re-opened. You will have noticed that, true to their words, SCC have removed the traffic flow restrictions to the Albany Bridge at West End. There are no obvious signs of any remedial work having taken place, though, so we shall have to find out what that was all about.
Burns Night Extravaganza! The ERA 2010 Burns Night Dinner & Dance will be held on Friday 22nd January at the King George’s Hall by the Civic Centre. This is our main social event of the year and is a Kilt/Black tie (Optional) occasion with bagpiper, Ceilidh dance band and traditional Scottish fare. Tickets are £32.00 each and can be obtained from Sue Citron tel; 01372 464696. Doors open at 7.30 pm for welcoming drinks and dinner starts at 8.00 pm including a traditional grace and an address to the Haggis. Dancing follows. Open to all, 100 tickets available, come and
bring your neighbours!
West End Films. Did you know that West End Village now has a Film Society? Formed by a group of Village residents, with the help of a donation from the West End Show Committee, the Society meets every 3 weeks on Sunday evenings in West End Village Hall. Screening a varied program of Recent Classics, Vintage Black and White, and accessible Foreign Language Films, the group aims to cater for all who love the diversity of the cinema. The inaugural film was (naturally) Cinema Paradiso, which was very warmly received, and the first season continued with an eclectic
selection including The Draftsman’s Contract, Russian Ark and The Third Man, to name a few. The season culminated with a free screening for the village, in the Flower Show marquee, of Mamma Mia! (singalong version of course), which was very successful with around 100 attendees, and afterwards voluntary donations raised over £200 for Huntington’s Disease Research. Membership is open to all and the subscription is only £10 for a season of 6 films. The film screenings start at 7.30pm and this allows time for an informal discussion afterwards. You are most welcome to bring along wine and enjoy a glass during the screening (can’t do that at the Odeon!). If you would like to be added to our emailing list, please send an email to us at westendfilms@btinternet.com and you will receive a screening schedule and email reminder before the next film. The Autumn season will include : The Darjeeling Limited, Sexy Beast, Jean de Florette, Manon des Sources, Festen, La Dolce Vita and a Christmas special… We hope to see you there…
Did you know that when the council grants planning permission, it imposes a number of rules and regulations to lessen the impact on neighbours of noise pollution and parking from building works? Some of these include: Work which is audible beyond the site boundary shall only be carried out between 8am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 1pm Saturday and not at all on Sundays or Bank Holidays. And deliveries shall only be received within these same hours.
There shall be no burning on site. Building materials and machinery shall not be stored on the highway and contractors' vehicles shall be parked with care so as not to cause an obstruction or block visibility on the highway. If you witness or hear a breach, make a note for yourself (date, time, details etc) and email the council on tplan@elmbridge.gov.uk with an email heading of Breach of Planning Permission Conditions.
And as you doubtless know the new bin collection service started on 5th October 2009. But did you know that because the new vehicles were not going to be ready until at least the end of October, the council’s contractor Veolia has had to hire at least 8 vehicles for the first weeks of operation and these vehicles are unable to go under the bridge at Mill Road as they are too high? They are therefore travelling along our residential roads, such as Douglas Road, from the Farm Road depot from as early as 6.45am and returning mid afternoon. And yes, we have checked for you and they can do it that early in the morning so, yet again, local residents are suffering because of ill-preparation by the council and its contractors. If you find that they are leaving even earlier than 6.30am please the council know on envcare@elmbridge.gov.uk and copy us in on esher.ra@googlemail.com
Click on the links below for the following, longer articles:
Keep the Nanny away from the dogs!
Claremont Lane - the cars will be moving
Patrick Gwynne, the architect: The man
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