Dear constituent
I am writing to you with an update on some local issues.
South Western Railway
Firstly, on the perennial battles over the South Western Railway service, the company has announced that the current limited timetable will now continue on until 2023. This means that they are still not planning to increase the number of evening peak time trains from Waterloo despite the level of crowding on those services. And the new trains which would take us back to 10 not 8 coach trains are still being delayed because of technical problems.
To put it mildly I am less than happy. The company has said that there will be some limited and targeted changes to the current timetable when the revised one is announced for December, and I am stepping up pressure on them to ensure that at least the issue of the Epsom evening peak services is addressed. I will keep you updated.
Chalk Pit
Many of you will be aware that after pressure from myself, local councillors and local residents, the Environment Agency has finally suspended part of the licence of the most controversial operator at the Chalk Pit in Epsom. The order prevented them from using equipment that processes and crushes waste, which has been responsible for a big part of the noise issue. Unfortunately the operator seems to be trying to get round the order, and some of the issues have returned, so I have further meetings lined up with the Agency to try to get the restrictions toughened.
Ashtead Level Crossing
If you are a user of the Ashtead level crossing, there will be another round of night time closures between the 5th and 8th August for track replacement work. The crossing will be closed from 2300 to 0600 on the Friday and Saturday nights, and 2200 to 0500 on the Sunday night. Residents will get free parking in the station car park while the work is ongoing.
Nork Park
I need you all to vote……but it’s not election time! Something different. Nork Park has been nominated in the Fields in Trust UK’s Favourite Parks award. Voting is now open and will close at noon on Thursday 18th August 2022.
Nork Park is a great area for the local community and also is steeped in local history. It would be great if it won this national award. If you have a moment, please give it your vote by going to www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations. When you vote they send you a verification email. If it doesn’t arrive, please check your junk folder as it went into mine.
At close of voting the four Home Nation winners will be shortlisted before they announce the UK’s Favourite Park 2022. In addition, any park within the top 20% of votes will receive recognition as a Local Favourite. So please vote Nork Park!
I hope you have a good summer.
Best wishes
Chris Grayling
If you want us to vote for Nork Park, perhaps you should do something to help clean it up a bit. The amount of litter that appears of a morning is disgraceful. Cans and laughing gas bottles all over the place. Perhaps if the bins that were taken away a couple of years ago were replaced, it may help a little.
Karen to be fair as a first time visitor to Nork Park I didn’t think litter was too bad, however the amount of dog faeces and dog poo bag Christmas trees/dog poo bags was ridiculous. Worse than many of the other parks I go to in the Surrey area!
Mr Grayling, I would like to know why you have failed to respond to my numerous requests for a meeting regarding the waters edge estate.