Month: January 2025

Council kicks off 2,600-tree planting project

On 7 January, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council began planting 2,600 trees at sites in Ewell Court Park, the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve, London Road Recreation Ground, Long Grove Park, Manor Park and Poole Road Recreation Ground. This is part of the council’s Climate Change Action Plan and the first stage of its Tree Management Plan which aims to plant 6,000 new trees across the borough by 2035.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has committed to tackling climate change in the borough, embarking on an ambitious programme of work with partners to support its operational net zero target by 2035. Within its Climate Change Action Plan in 2020 was an action to increase tree cover in the borough to enhance the borough’s biodiversity and increase carbon capture. This activity will also help mitigate ash dieback, a serious disease that has the potential to devastate an estimated 90% of the borough’s ash tree population over the next decade.

 

This tree planting activity is funded through the Forestry Commission’s Local Authority Treescapes Fund, awarded as part of a joint bid with Surrey County Council and three other district and borough councils within the county.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council kicks off 2,600-tree planting project

The council’s Arboriculturist has coordinated the planting of the trees and Penfolds Woodland Management has been contracted by Surrey County Council to plant the trees.

Over 20 different tree species have been carefully selected to suit the local habitat; they will help enrich surrounding nature and can even adapt to changing weather conditions associated with climate change. These include several planned stands of native woodland tree and shrub species that aid biodiversity as the trees themselves start to blossom. In Sweet Chestnut Avenue the trees planted will create a real heritage feature that will endure through the ages.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee said: “This is another great step to help us meet our ambitious carbon neutral target. These new trees will make our green spaces more beautiful and appealing for our community. Importantly, they will also provide habitats for our wildlife to flourish and help combat climate change by capturing carbon as the trees grow.

This is a great effort by everybody involved and I would like to thank Surrey County Council for coordinating this bid that led to this invaluable funding being awarded and for commissioning the suppliers – thanks to Penfolds Woodland Management for planting the trees. One final thanks to our very own Arboriculturist for coordinating this vast tree planting activity.

We hope these trees will provide a platform for everybody to learn about the complexities of trees and their importance to biodiversity and climate change. I’d encourage all our residents and visitors, including our school children, to visit our parks and open spaces to look at and learn about our beautiful trees.”

Marisa Heath, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “The County Council’s ambition to plant 1.2 million new trees is not something we can deliver alone. Our collaboration with local borough and district councils, parish councils, schools, landowners and community groups is vital to achieve this ambition. Planting more trees helps tackle the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss and by working together we will have a greater impact.”

For more information about trees in Epsom & Ewell – Trees in Epsom & Ewell | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council 

New artwork takes centre stage at Epsom Playhouse

During January two new murals were completed at Epsom Playhouse. The murals are part of a series of vibrant public art installations across the borough. Championing the 40-year history of Epsom Playhouse, the large-scale mural in the theatre’s foyer showcases the variety and breadth of creative people who have contributed to the fabric of Epsom Playhouse’s history over the last four decades.

The second mural and new photographic exhibition in the downstairs bar celebrates famed British Jazz singer and a trailblazing performer, Evelyn Dove. Championing the roaring 1920s and the Art Deco period, the large-scale installation reflects the era that Dove was at the peak of her performing career.

New artwork takes centre stage at Epsom Playhouse

The latest murals were created in collaboration with residents. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, and specialists in community art Positive Arts, consulted with residents during the Christmas lights switch on in the Ashley Centre in Epsom, at Bourne Hall in Ewell and members of Girlguiding Division Epsom also kindly shared their thoughts on the design of the main foyer mural.

Both murals have been fully funded via the Arts, Culture and Heritage UKSPF 2024/25 allocation and contribute to the council’s overall vision for curating art projects that build pride with local community stakeholders, nurture creative talent and raise the profile of our borough’s rich heritage.

The murals are the last in a series that have been painted across the borough.

So far, working with Positive Arts and community groups, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has created the following murals:

Upper High Street, Epsom – with GLF Schools

Alleyway behind Epsom Square – with Members of Girlguiding Epsom Division

Between Miles Road and Stones Road, Epsom – with GLF Schools

Near Clandon Close, Stoneleigh – with We Power On

New artwork takes centre stage at Epsom Playhouse

Epsom Playhouse opened in 1984 as part of the development of The Ashley Centre and since opening has hosted a wide and varied programme of events featuring both professional and community productions.

The murals form part of improvement works taking place at Epsom Playhouse using an allocation of monies from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Improvements include a redesigned lower bar and a new bottle bar, clad in stainless steel. The upper bar has also been refurbished with new LED lighting and redesigned to create a larger space. There is also a new mezzanine floor, and a new platform lift has been installed to improve accessibility.

Ewell EpsomCommenting on the newly installed artworks, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee said,

“These new murals use a vibrant palette of colours, and I am sure will draw plenty for interest from residents, who’ll be impressed to see how this much-loved community venue has been revived!

The foyer mural illustrates visually how important regional theatres are in bringing arts and creativity to local areas for the benefit of local communities”

The refurbishment of Epsom Playhouse also supports Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s new Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy which outlines its commitment to nurturing creative talent and to creating a thriving and inclusive creative and cultural outreach programme within the borough.

A3 Closure for UK’s First Heathland Bridge

This weekend, starting on the 17th January 2025 at 9pm, sees the installation of the new Cockrow Bridge on the A3 – the star bridge of the scheme and what will be the UK’s first heathland bridge.

The restoration of rare heathland is one of the M25 Junction 10 project’s biggest elements – alongside improving traffic flow and safety.

The new Cockrow Bridge, a heathland green bridge, will reconnect the commons either side of the A3, and provide a natural and safe corridor for wildlife.

The heathland on the bridge will develop with time and what’s being installed this month is the bridge structure – but a significant milestone nonetheless.

To do the bridge installation they are closing the A3 for the full weekend, from 9pm on Friday 17 January until 6am on Monday 20 January. While the A3 is closed the M25 will remain open.

The closed stretch is just south of the M25 and will be between the junction 10 interchange and Send B2215/A247.

The diversion route to go southbound during the closure will be via Cobham, Chessington, Great Bookham and Effingham, rejoining the A3 at Send.

Meanwhile to travel northbound the diversion route will be via East Clandon, Effingham, Fetcham and then onto the M25 towards Wisley.

Diversions

Southbound A3 main diversion:

      • via eastbound (anticlockwise) M25 to junction 9
      • A243, A246, A247
      • to rejoin the southbound A3.

Southbound A3 non-motorway diversion: 

      • via northbound A3, A245, A307, A309, A243, A246, A247
      • to rejoin the southbound A3.

Northbound A3 main diversion:

      • via B2215, A247, A246, A24, A243
      • join westbound (clockwise) M25 at junction 9
      • rejoin northbound A3 at junction 10.

Northbound A3 non-motorway diversion:

      • via B2215, A247, A246, A24, A243, A307, A245
      • to rejoin the northbound A3 at the Painshill junction.

Closed Stretch Of The A3

Wisley Lane diversion (both directions):

      • via Portsmouth Road (B2215)
      • Newark Lane (B367), Warren Lane, Pyford Road, Lock Lane
      • to rejoin Wisley Lane.

Closed Stretch Of Wisley Lane

Guileshill Lane diversion:

      • Ripley Lane
      • Pincott Lane
      • The Street
      • Ockham Road North (B2039)

Closed Stretch Of Guileshill Lane

Please take care and follow the diversions instead of a SatNav.

A3 Heathland Bridge

Closed section of the A3

Surrey’s Devolution Disagreement

On Tuesday, 7 January 2025, the Leaders of the 11 Surrey District & Borough Councils and the Leader of Surrey County Council met to discuss the English Devolution White Paper and what this would mean for the residents of Surrey.

There was acknowledgement from all the Leaders that the central government is determined to introduce sweeping changes to local government through their plans for devolution and local government reform which will see the district and county councils merged into new unitary councils.

All the Leaders of the Surrey District & Borough Councils expressed their concerns around the pace of change being imposed by central government and that such widespread and significant change needs wider consultation with the residents, stakeholders, and businesses across the County. In addition there was concern that the change, as proposed, will decrease local representation for residents of Surrey.

While the Leaders concluded that there needs to be a dialogue with Surrey County Council on the proposed changes, there was wide agreement that the County Council’s plan to write to the Secretary of State, Jim McMahon MP on Friday 10 January, requesting to postpone the County elections scheduled to take place on 1 May 2025 was not supported by the District & Borough Leaders and would be opposed if submitted.

NHS Recovery Plan Announcement at Epsom Hospital

Helen Maguire, MP for Epsom and Ewell, Reacts to Major NHS Recovery Plan Announcement at Epsom Hospital

MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, was delighted to see Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Health Secretary, Wes Streeting come to Epsom hospital (part of the Epsom & St Helier Trust) today to announce a significant blueprint to tackle the backlog of tests, checks, and treatments exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The government’s ambitious plan outlines a massive expansion in capacity, aiming to reduce waiting times and improve patient care.

Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the NHS found it to be in a “critical condition” and is failing to provide timely access to care with 7.6 million people on waiting lists for elective treatment. People are also waiting too long to secure GP or NHS dentist appointments, with over 14,000 patients across Epsom & Ewell having waited longer than 12 hours in local A&Es.

Although Maguire didn’t join the official visit, she was onsite at Epsom Hospital to intensify her campaign for urgent modernisation at Epsom Hospital and to seek the green light for the building of the much-needed emergency care hospital in Sutton, which she has been campaigning for since her election last year. St Helier Hospital, which opened in 1941, suffers from serious structural problems, which many describe as being in a state of crisis.

Helen Maguire MP Epsom & EwellHelen Maguire, MP for Epsom & Ewell said:

‘While I am delighted that the significant elective care backlog in Epsom will be reduced, we cannot ignore the fact that emergency care is in urgent need of support as well. Almost 200,000 12-hour ‘trolley waits’ have been recorded since Labour took office last July. These figures are shocking and urgent measures are needed to address this dangerous situation. Thousands of patients who are well enough to leave hospital can’t be discharged because social care is in crisis. With thousands of people waiting longer than 12 hours in hospital corridors on the Prime Minister’s watch, the need for social care reform is even more pressing. A three-year review just won’t cut it. This winter we’re seeing the consequences of inaction for our NHS yet again. After years of disastrous neglect of our health and care services under the Conservatives, patients and NHS staff deserve better.’

‘In Epsom and Ewell, the situation needs to be addressed urgently. We cannot ask our dedicated NHS staff to deliver world-class care in crumbling facilities. We must ensure that Epsom and St Helier Hospitals are at the front of the queue for necessary repairs and that the new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton is at the top of the priority list. Our community deserves modern, safe, and high-quality healthcare.’

‘The reforms announced today have the potential to begin to repair the NHS, ensuring our health care system can continue to deliver outstanding care for the next generation. Whether it’s keeping care within communities, using the latest digital tools to improve efficiency or empowering our GPs to make direct referrals- these promises must be implemented effectively to create meaningful change.’

‘‘I am committed to holding the government to its promises, and to ensuring that Epsom and St Helier hospitals, and the people of Epsom & Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead see real, tangible benefits from the discussions held here today.’

NOTE: Epsom Hospital will lose 20% of its services once the new hospital in Sutton is built in the plans agreed in 2021.