Newsletter - Wed 16 Apr, 2025

By David Grantham

Reigate’s MP has proposed that commercial moped riders should be required to pass their full moped test and not just their temporary CBT, saying there are ‘dangerous’ riders in the constituency.

A four-week closure of Reigate Hill is currently scheduled for late July, part of work taking place on local roads to replace gas mains.

Three office buildings on London Road, leading up to the level crossing, could become 75 flats under unconnected planning applications recently approved or being considered.

More below, after news in brief…

Kiko Sushi has opened at 82 High Street (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), the latest arrival in the town offering Japanese fare. Other restaurants with sushi on the menu, which opened last year, are Miyoshi at 88 High Street and Kokoro in Cage Yard.

Free face-to-face counselling is on offer to local residents from Catalyst Support, a Surrey mental health and wellbeing charity. Adults (18+) struggling with mental health issues such as mild to moderate anxiety or depression and/or drug or alcohol misuse can benefit from up to 24 sessions, on Monday afternoons in Reigate - details including how to sign up are here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

Plans for Surrey Police’s Eastern Division HQ in Leatherhead have been submitted to Mole Valley District Council. The HQ is currently located temporarily alongside the fire service in Wray Park, Reigate, having moved out of Reigate police station in 2023 because of the presence of RAAC. More from Emily Dalton, Local Democracy Reporter, here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

The Brockham Wellsite, in Betchworth, operating since 1987, will be able to continue pumping oil to the end of its planned life in 2036, following Surrey County Council planning approval for waste water to be pumped in to the ground to maintain well pressure. More from Local Democracy Reporter Chris Caulfield here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

Businesses and organisations can apply for grants as part of a £7 million Economic Growth Fund launched by Surrey County Council (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) to support innovative projects boosting jobs, skills, and infrastructure. Applications can be made on the Business Surrey website (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), with the first round due to close at the end of May.

Body-worn cameras are being trialled by Surrey Fire & Rescue to enhance staff safety and gather incident footage. The equipment will also support post-incident reviews, learning, and evidence collection. The trial (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) is in line with a recommendation from the National Fire Chiefs Council following an increase in attacks on UK fire crews.

Terry Pratchett fans can head over to Cranleigh Arts Centre on Saturday 26 April for Marc Burrows’ The Magic of Terry Pratchett (Öffnet in neuem Fenster). The show is a “multi-media comic lecture” adaptation of Burrows’ biography of Pratchett, selling over 10,000 tickets in the UK over the past year.

Hooley: if your travels take you from the M23 north to Hooley village, speed limits have been reduced. The Junction 7 exit slip road north now has a 50mph limit, the A23 from there up to Hooley 40mph, and travelling through Hooley village 30mph. The changes (Öffnet in neuem Fenster), aimed at reducing collisions in Hooley, became enforceable on Monday 31 March.

MP calls for delivery riders to pass full moped test

Moped riders should not be allowed to carry out commercial activities (such as food deliveries) until they have passed their full test, Reigate MP Rebecca Paul has said.

Currently riders only need to pass their compulsory basic training (CBT), which is meant to allow them time to practise for their full moped test.

“The problem with this is that the CBT has become effectively a licence by proxy, with most delivery drivers having no intention of using it for its intended purpose – building experience and practicing for their full test,” Paul said.

Speaking after tabling an amendment to the police & crime bill, to prohibit use of the CBT for commercial activities, she said: "While London is undoubtedly the epicentre of this problem, dangerous delivery drivers have become  an increasingly common sight on roads in Reigate, Banstead and Redhill.

"I have spoken with constituents who report near misses, actual collisions and a growing sense that people and property  is in increasing danger from these individuals who simply don’t have the skills to operate their  vehicles safely."

However, Paul’s amendment was not taken forward for debate.

Reigate Hill among planned road closures

Gas distribution company SGN is replacing mains in the Reigate Hill area over the coming months, with closures recently put in place on St Albans Road and Somers Road.

Part of the work includes closing Reigate Hill itself in late July, for around four weeks.

SGN has supplied the following closure dates to residents:

• Somers Road - from 7 April for around 2 weeks - working at the junction with St Albans Road

• St Albans Road - from 7 April for around 8 weeks - working full length of road

• Beaufort Road - from 21 April for around 6 weeks - working between Saxon Way and Evesham Road junctions

• Evesham Road - from 21 April for around 6 weeks - working Beaufort Road junction to 15 Evesham Road

• Brokes Road - from 28 April for around 12 weeks - working between St Albans Road and Beech Road junctions

• Reigate Hill (A217) - from 21 July for around 4 weeks - working between Brokes Road and Somers Road junctions

SGN says: “This work will ensure a continued safe and reliable supply of gas is delivered to nearby homes and businesses. This is part of our 30-year programme of work to replace our old mains, reaching the end of their useful lives, with new, reliable plastic pipe.”

The company adds: “We understand roadworks can be frustrating and we’re sorry for any inconvenience caused. However, the new plastic pipe has a lifespan of 80 years. This means that once our work is done, Reigate residents and businesses will be able to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable supply of gas for many years to come.”

Dates may change as work starts, but there will be advanced warning and diversion signs, SGN says.

The full flyer from SGN is here (Öffnet in neuem Fenster).

Office conversions could yield 75 flats on London Road