Newsletter - Mon 31 Jul, 2023

In this issue...

• A consultation (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)on proposals to close ticket offices - including at Reigate, Redhill, Merstham and Earlswood - and move staff out on to concourses has been extended to 1 September. We look at what the changes would mean, at least on paper, for Reigate (no ticket office, but station staff available for more hours) and what's been said about the potential closures in the borough council chamber.

• The 60mph stretch of the A217 between Banstead and Sutton is set to be reduced to 40mph, after Surrey County Council agreed with petitioners' views on the "mad mile".

• The High Court has rejected a challenge by Surrey County Council and others to the extension of the capital's Ultra Low Emissions Zone. The scheme is now set to cover all London boroughs from Tuesday 29 August. TfL figures show that over 90% of cars currently driving in outer London will be exempt.

• Schools are having to spend extra money because of delays by Surrey County Council in education, health and care plan (EHCP) assessments, with only just over a quarter being completed within statutory time limits.

Also...

• Surrey Police are seeking information about two assaults that took place on the evening of Saturday 15 July at Corzo Lounge and the Cage Bar, in Reigate, that led to two men needing hospital treatment. Police have released a CCTV image of a man who may be able to assist the investigation: more on their website (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

• Not a local story, but today (Monday 31 July) is the last day that postage stamps without a barcode can be used, unless they're special stamps with pictures or Christmas stamps. More from Royal Mail on the exact rules, and how to still swap old stamps for free, is on their website here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

Ticket office consultation extended

A consultation on closing many ticket offices across the country, including at Reigate, Redhill, Merstham, and Earlswood, has been extended to 1 September.

Under the proposals, staff would move out of ticket offices and onto station concourses to provide "ticket assistance".