Neighbourhood on Tolworth Broadway
We are indebted to John Tellick of EBRRA for these observations:
I don’t think I need to tell you that the proposal got through at the joint meeting this evening?
A bit of a foregone conclusion, me thinks?
All the SoTB councillors (3) were in favour, Neil Houston and Mary Heathcote abstained.
There were 35 – 40 public there, all were against the proposal for various reasons, but few got satisfactory responses from officers, TfL or designers.
There was actually a lot of time spent on comments from the floor – perhaps 3/4’s of the meeting which started at 19:00 and ended at 21:45.
So, we had our say – but did anyone listen?
Alas it ended in a bit of a political spat between the Cons and LD’s and vice versa.
Neighbourhood meeting tomorrow
The next Surbiton Neighbourhood meeting is at Dysart School (190 Ewell Road) at 7.30. on Thursday 15th December.
A major item for discussion will be the design of Tolworth Braodway. As this is a consultation it should be possible for any member of the public to air their views to the assembled Councillors.
Energy saving scam – BEWARE
We are indebted to John Boshier of EBRRA for this warning:
TSI warns of dangerous energy saving scam targeting elderly
Trading Standards Institute is urging consumers to be aware of rogue telephone cold callers offering energy saving devices after trading standards up and down the country reported hundreds of complaints.
Trading standards are currently dealing with more than 200 complaints about people claiming to be their energy supplier or working in partnership with them, offering a plug in device which they say can save them 40 per cent off their energy bills.
Trading standards have had a number of the items tested which not only failed to satisfy electrical safety standards but do not deliver any tangible energy savings.
Ron Gainsford from the Trading Standards Institute said: “Consumers are warned not to use the product as they pose a risk of fire and electrocution and a safety recall has been issued for the items traced so far.
“Unscrupulous criminals are using the rising energy prices as an opportunity to lure in cash strapped consumers – elderly people seem to have been deliberately targeted.
“The number of complaints we are currently dealing with is bound to be only the tip of the iceberg.”
Westminster trading standards have been investigating the scam as the caller gives a London W1 Oxford Street address for the company.
Sue Jones from Westminster trading standards said: “The address they give is that of a virtual office provider, the companies involved in these scams are not actually situated there – we believe the call centre they use is based abroad and the appliances appear to be distributed by a number of individuals in the UK.
“We know that these fraudsters have been duping consumers across the country into paying £99 for the energy saving device and have been told the caller always appears to be very credible by already knowing the consumers’ details, their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/ debit card.
“Often consumers do not realise that they have been defrauded until they receive the dodgy looking device with instructions in broken English and the accompanying invoice which names an unknown supplier and often gives an American address.”
So far four different suppliers have been named, 1 Stop Marketing Solutions, ITC Development Corp, Power Saver and Athico Ltd. but the fraudsters could be operating under other names too. Some of these names could be very similar to genuine companies – for example Power Saver Ltd, based in Tonbridge, Kent is not involved in this fraud.
The director of Athico Ltd appears to have been a victim of the scam himself. He fully cooperated with trading standards and the company has now ceased trading.
Advice to consumers
If consumers have responded to one of these cold calls they should report the matter to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.org.uk 0300 123 2040 or Consumer Direct on 08454040506 . They should also contact their bank to stop their debit/ credit card. If a device has been received they should not use it and dispose of it carefully.
Consumers should be cautious about giving out any personal or financial information. They should independently verify a caller’s identity before agreeing to purchase any goods or services.
Tolworth Broadway to become a Greenway
from RBK website:
Project gets the go ahead and exhibition dates are announced
Tolworth Broadway is set for an exciting new look and feel that puts pedestrians and shoppers at its centre. Particular attention is being paid to improving Tolworth Broadway as a high street and to balancing the priority between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic by creating a more inviting and friendly environment and reducing traffic speeds.
Kingston Council in partnership with Transport for London (TfL) is in the process of finalising detailed plans for the transformation of the area. The “Greenway” project, part of the Mayor’s Great Outdoors initiative, will deliver extensive public space improvements and address the key issues identified through previous consultation with the local community over the last few years. The project aims to revitalise the Broadway to become a thriving place for people to enjoy and use, safely and securely.
After two years of planning and consultation with residents and local groups, Transport for London (TfL) has pledged £1.6 million to build the scheme, with an additional £1 million coming from Kingston Council. ‘Tolworth Times’ newsletters have been distributed to residents and businesses in the wider Tolworth area to inform and update them about the scheme. These can be seen at the bottom of this page.
The Greenway scheme will stretch along Tolworth Broadway from the junction with Ewell Road, across the A3 roundabout to Kingston Road, outside the Charrington Bowl.
A series of exhibitions are being held where people will be able to see more details about the scheme:
7 to 25 November: Hook Centre & Tolworth Library
15 November: Hook Centre staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
17 November: Tolworth Recreation Centre staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
22 November: Tolworth Library staffed exhibition, 3.00pm to 7.30pm
26 November: Super Subway Saturday, 10.00am to 1.00pm
15 December: Shared Neighbourhood Committee, Dysart School, Ewell Road 7.00pm
The main aims of the scheme are to:
•Strengthen the vitality of the Broadway so that it becomes a place people want to use and spend time in
•Reduce the barriers to walking and cycling and improve road safety through a reduction in general traffic speeds to 20mph along the Broadway
•Improve access to Tolworth Station and Tolworth Broadway
•Improve the general environment and feeling of safety
•Enhance the public space and improve links to community facilities such as schools, green spaces, shops and recreational opportunities
The plan is to remove the central barriers along Tolworth Broadway to allow pedestrians to cross the road at any point they choose. Formal pedestrian crossing points, both signalled and unsignalled, will be provided for those who wish to use them.
The central island (the ‘Greenway’) will be widened, have a low kerb and a vibrant resin bound gravel surface that will enable all users to travel safely from Ewell Road and Kingston Road. The Royal National Institute of Blind People, various interest groups, and the police have advised on the design to make sure it is suitable for everyone. The existing traffic signals at Tolworth Roundabout will be adjusted to allow the road to be crossed by pedestrians and cyclists so bypassing the subways which many people said they found intimidating.
The footways outside the shops on Tolworth Broadway will also be re-laid using concrete blocks to form a forecourt effect.
New paths will be provided within the roundabout to link the new crossing points with the existing pedestrian bridge over the A3. The bridge will be modified to allow cyclists to safely ride across it. A new signal controlled crossing will be provided in Kingston Road to allow access to both the Charrington Bowl and the Sunray Estate sides of the road.
The plans will be presented for approval to a special meeting of the Surbiton and South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committees on Thursday 15 December at Dysart School, Ewell Road, Tolworth. This is a public meeting and everyone is welcome to attend.
It is anticipated that the work will start in April 2012, following a tender process to appoint a Contractor. The aim is to complete the works before the start of the London Olympics in the summer.
Discussions will be held with residents and retailers to try to minimise the disruption during the construction period.
More detail about the Project
Further aspects of the Project include:
Speed Limits – The speed limit on Tolworth Broadway will be reduced to 20 mph, making it safer for pedestrians when crossing at any point;
Trees – there will be a number of additional trees planted both in the footway in front of the shops and on the central island;
Seating – extra benches will be provided in front of the shops. There will be no seating on the central island;
Cycles – The scheme provides a safe route for cyclist to cross the A3. Cyclists will also be able to use the central island and the roadway as at present. The aim is to encourage more shoppers and commuters to cycle, reduce car journeys and lower emissions;
Street lighting – new lamp columns will be installed to increase the levels of lighting in the Broadway and the centre of the roundabout. Extra lights will be installed to make sure the footways in front of shops are well lit;
Deliveries – loading bays will be provided on both sides of Tolworth Broadway;
Pedestrian Crossings – controlled crossing (with a green man) will be installed at either end of Tolworth Broadway with 3 uncontrolled crossing (no green man) in between;
Pedestrian Subways – The existing subways will still be available to use;
On-street Parking – The number of on-street parking spaces will not change;
Buses – Bus services will remain the same.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the Tolworth Project please contact us by email: tolworth.project@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Related Documents:
Get help accessing files or request files in alternative formats
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – November 2011
- Regeneration Strategy
- High Resolution Regeneration Strategy
- Tolworth Regeneration Strategy – Executive Minute – 31 March 2010
- Tolworth Regeneration Strategy – Executive Report – 31 March 2010
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – January 2010
- District Centre Parking Study – Parking Strategy – December 2009
- Surbiton and South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committees Report – 25 November 2009
- Tolworth Project Draft Strategy Document – November 2009
- District Centre Parking Study – Research Report – November 2009
- District Centre Parking Study – Car Parking Surveys – September 2009
- Tolworth Times Newsletter – September 2009
- Tolworth Freight Movement Study – June 2009
- Tolworth Project Questionnaire Analysis – May 2009
- Tolworth Project Summary of Questionnaire Analysis – May 2009
- Convenience and Comparison Catchment Statistics – March 2009
- Tolworth Newsletter February 2009
Self and that bench…….
I am afraid that last night, at EBRRA’s AGM, I got rather annoyed with Cllr. Self over his dilatory attitude to the re-installation of a bench at or about the wayside garden at the Ellerton Road/Ditton Road junction.
What really grated on me was the way he seemed to ascribe the non-appearance of this replacement to (a) the failure of officers to produce further work on the matter following a SNC meeting in February; (b) inccuracies in the Minutes both of that meeting and the earlier one in 2009, which originally decided on having the bench; (c) supposed anti-social behaviour there in the past – of which the Police have no record at all and of which I, who have been associated as resident and councillor with the area for 26 years, have never heard; and (d) the failure of the community to come together to sort the issue out.
The fact that he and his colleagues have done nothing to bring the community together since the February meeting did not seem to occur to him. In fact they have done nothing but obstruct the provision since the 2010 election, if not before!
I know from experience that, if the local councillors want something to happen which has been agreed upon and doesn’t cost much money, then RBK officers will make it happen. The unadmitted truth, then, seems to me to be that the current councillors don’t want this to happen for some reason I can only guess at, but they also don’t want to admit to EBRRA members that that is the case. Hence my exasperation with himSelf last night.
Cllr. Ayles maintained his habitual discreet silence throughout the meeting. Elmbridge resident Neil Houston maintained his habitual absence!
Latest news from Tony Arbour GLA
Tony ARBOUR
Assembly Member for
South West London
E-Newsletter – Autumn 2011
| No Rioting |
We were fortunate in Hounslow, Kingston and Richmond that there was none of the rioting which affected our near neighbours. This was no accident, every officer who could wear a uniform, from special constable to detective inspector, was on duty on the streets. Police attributed their mass public presence deterred prospective rioters. This event gives strength to my campaign for police officers to wear their uniform whilst on their way to and from work.
I welcome the new police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe who brings to London from Manchester a reputation for robust, no nonsense policing which I hope will reduce crime here in the Capital.Countdown
Transport for London (TfL) are introducing a new and improved Countdown system for all of London’s bus stops via text message and internet. A new generation of countdown signs will also be provided at key bus stops.
The new Countdown signs will provide real-time information at 2,500 key bus stops in London. Using the latest technology to ensure easy readability, the signs will also comply with disability guidelines on electronic signage.
As well as predicting bus arrival times, they will display service updates, disruption information and network-wide messages.
TfL are also investigating bus stop-specific audio options to help blind people and partially sighted people find their way around the network independently.
The roll out of the new signs began this year and will be completed by 2012. For further information go to http://www.tfl.gov.uk.
Disruptive Roadworks
Boris Johnson has recently announced a new online reporting tool that will allow Londoners to help spot, report and prevent unruly roadworks.
CCTV operators and traffic community police will use these reports to take immediate action. Boroughs are urged to introduce similar innovative measures and work with TfL to help reduce disruptive and unnecessary works in London. It is hoped this will be operating from Spring 2012.
Royal Parks
The Royal parks Agency which is responsible for Bushy and Richmond Park is to be advised by a board which for the first time will have members who have been bureaucratically elected including the Mayor as Chairman and three council leaders.
London in Bloom
Congratulations to Richmond upon Thames for winning Gold in the recent London in Bloom competition. Other winners were: Terrace Garden, Richmond, York House Gardens, Twickenham, Twickenham Town Centre, Manor Road Allotments, Ham Common and Eel Pie Pub, Twickenham
Olympics Test Race
Last month saw the Olympic test race come to Richmond and Kingston.
Over enthusiastic stewards kept roads closed for most of the day. I am urging that when the actual event takes place road closures will be lifted as soon as the riders have gone past.
Changing Station Zones
I have called for Surbiton and Kingston stations to be moved from transport Zone 6 into Zone 5, which could save commuters travelling from these stations hundreds of pounds a year. I believe these stations are in the wrong zone considering there are 23 stations in Zone 5 that are further out of central London than either Kingston or Surbiton stations. As a result, commuters into Zone 1 from these stations in Zone 6 have to pay £2,016 per year for an annual season ticket, which is £136 more than the Zone 1– 5 season ticket. These stations should be rezoned.
Mayor Boris Johnson said “I am more than happy to join you in making this point ( to the government)”.
Tony Arbour’s Advice Surgeries
Do you have an issue or a problem that you would like to talk to Tony about?
First Saturday of every month:
From 3.00-4pm in
Feltham Library
The Centre,
High Street
Feltham, TW13 4GU
and
From 4.30-5.30pm in
Heston Community Sports Hall,
Heston Road,
Middlesex TW5 0QZ
First Wednesday of every month:
From 5.00-6.00pm in
Hampton Wick Library
Bennet Close,
Hampton Wick,
Richmond KT1 4AT
Third Saturday of every month:
From 10.30-11.30pm in Chiswick Library,
Duke’s Avenue
Hounslow W4 2AB
Alternatively you can write to Tony at:
City Hall,
The Queen’s Walk
London SE1 2AA
or telephone him on:
0207 983 4116
Get In Touch – whether you’ve got something you want raised with the Mayor, or a view on how to improve services in London under the Mayor’s responsibilities – Tony would be happy to hear from you.
How to contact Tony: Email: tony.arbour@london.gov.uk Tel: 0207 983 4116 Address: Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, More London, London SE1 2AA
Surbiton Forum 