Newsletter - Wed 22 May, 2024
By David Grantham
After a round-up of news in brief, this issue has articles on further upgrade plans at Reigate fire station, the appointment of two former mayors as honorary aldermen, and a coroner’s concern about footpaths after the death of a cyclist in Tadworth.
Surrey Police have issued an appeal after what they describe as a “serious assault” in Reigate last week.
They said: “Officers were called to Reigate High Street at around 11.40pm on Thursday, 16 May following reports of an affray outside The Market Stores pub between a group of four people. Two men in their 30s were given medical treatment at the scene. A 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of affray.
“Were you in the area around The Market Stores pub last night [Thursday] between 11.30pm and 11.45pm? Do you have any CCTV, dash cam or helmet cam footage that might have captured all or part of this incident?”
Anyone with information which might help the investigation is asked to contact police online (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)or by calling 101, quoting reference PR/45240055491. There’s also Crimestoppers (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).
Gatton Community Theatre will again be providing characters for a fairy tale treasure hunt around the grounds of Gatton Park, Reigate, this coming bank holiday Monday, 27 May. “Ideal for families and younger children – the route through the park will be about a mile and a half, and is easy for pushchairs”. More details, including ticket prices, booked and on-the-door (subject to availability), are here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).
In sad news, Surrey Police said on Facebook (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) that they found the body of a man in Earlswood on Sunday afternoon: “Officers were called to Woodhatch Road in South Earlswood at 2.20pm this afternoon (19 May) following a report of a body in a stream next to the road. Emergency services attended the scene and recovered the body of a man. Enquiries are underway to establish the circumstances of his death, which is being treated as unexplained and is not currently believed to be suspicious.” Woodhatch Road was closed for a period between its junctions with Maple Road and Tiler’s Way, but reopened in the evening.
Proposals for more upgrade work at Reigate fire station
The training facilities that will be improved as part of the next phase (image via Surrey CC)
Work to rebuild Reigate fire station is due to start this summer, and plans have now been announced for a further phase which will improve training facilities at the Wray Park site, off Croydon Road.
The proposals include redevelopment of the firehouse tower (which is currently used for live fire and ladder training) and other training facilities for working at height, use of breathing apparatus, and operations in confined spaces.
The current training facilities are said to require regular repairs and maintenance, while the upgrades will help make the site a centre of excellence, offering training to others from the UK and abroad.
A consultation has gone online (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), following a public session at the site today - although at the time of writing it looks like full details have yet to be uploaded.
The proposals are in addition to work on the fire station itself which is due to begin “late summer” and go on for around 12 months (according to information in March (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)). That work will see larger bays for fire engines, improved welfare and rest facilities, and solar panels and air source heat pumps. A temporary access for construction traffic is planned on Holmesdale Road.
Elsewhere on the Wray Park site, Surrey Police are currently making use of the former fire service HQ building, following the discovery of RAAC building material at Reigate police station.
Impression of the new facilities (image via Surrey CC)
Two former mayors honoured
Roger Newstead with current mayor Eddy Humphreys (image via RBBC)
Roger Newstead and David Pay, who each served three times as mayor of Reigate & Banstead, and performed other roles at the authority, were recognised last week for their service to the borough in a ceremony that installed them as honorary aldermen.
Roger Newstead served as a councillor 2001-2019, representing the former Reigate Hill ward. Among his achievements, the council says: “He is credited with leading the project to refurbish the Old Town Hall in Reigate and bringing it back into use from near dereliction at no cost to the taxpayer. He also led the project to pedestrianise the centre of Redhill”. Newstead also co-ordinated discussions with other councils to bring about savings through sharing services.
David Pay was a councillor 2000-2018, representing Redhill East and later Redhill West. The council says he carried out a number of roles, adding: “An ardent defender of the metropolitan Green Belt, David’s interests have always been focused around preserving both the natural and built environments. He suffers from Parkinson’s disease and has campaigned fervently to help fund research and raise awareness about the disease.”
Current mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Cllr Eddy Humphreys said: “Today, we honour two wonderful servants who have served this borough and its people exceptionally. It is a way for us to show appreciation for their contribution to making this borough a better place to live and work. We thank them and honour them for their great service.”
As honorary aldermen, Newstead and Pay will be able to attend civic events and ceremonies. More about them including their background and service to the borough, along with more photos, can be found here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).
David Pay with current mayor Eddy Humphreys (image via RBBC)
Coroner’s concern over paths following cyclist death
By Emily Dalton, Local Democracy Reporter
The death of a “fit and active” cyclist has prompted a coroner to raise concerns over paths near a main road in Surrey.
A man named John Bass died after falling from his bike following an incident involving a van on the A217 at Tadworth in December 2022.
Encroaching mud, twigs and grass more than halved the width of the popular cycle path which poses a risk of further fatalities, a coroner said at Mr Bass’s inquest.
The 80-year-old was considered a “fit and active cyclist”. While the footpath from which Mr Bass fell was 1.4 metres wide, due to encroaching mud, grass, twigs and acorns on the pavement space, the space where he was able to cycle was reduced to only 0.6 metres wide.
Weeks before his death, a highways inspector visited the path and did not consider the narrowing of the pathway as a safety concern.
Assistant Coroner Krestina Hayes found in a Prevention of Future Death Report: “There is a risk to future pavement users if clear guidance is not provided to inspectors to identify safety concerns regarding vegetation growth on footpaths.”
The report (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), published on 14 May, 2024, also expressed concerns that the frequency of the yearly road inspections should be reviewed.
Speaking at the inquest, Mr Bass’ family advised the footpath by the Tadworth Road is used regularly by cyclists to avoid the vehicles on the busy road, where the speed limit is up to 40mph.
As the highway authority, Surrey County Council (SCC) is responsible for maintaining public highways. Although there is reference to trees and vegetation in SCC, there is no clear guidance on encroachment on pavements.
Inspected yearly, the stretch of highway was examined by car on 14 November, and on foot on 22 November. No safety defects were found to meet intervention level by SCC. The family said the pavement was cleared shortly after the accident.
A spokesperson for SCC said: “Our deepest sympathies remain with John’s family and friends, and we will respond to the Coroner’s report following careful consideration of the concerns raised.”
SCC has been given until 3 July to respond to the report.
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