Residents who were unable to attend the Police Panel meeting held on 2nd July may like to note that PC Alex Savage has taken over from Sophie Knight as our new Neighbourhood Safety Officer.

It would seem that the Skate Park at the top of Green Street continues to be a cause for concern. For full notes of the meeting, click here

The LOSRA Chairman was an invited guest at today's ceremony for the handing over of Walton Bridge to Surrey County Council and he gives the following report:

A little reminiscent of the one in Sydney Harbour (although admittedly somewhat smaller), the new arched Walton Bridge over the Thames was formally handed over to Surrey County Council on 11 July. The approach roads and landscaping on each end still remain to be completed, but the brand new bridge was crossed by some classic cars, and a procession of boats passed underneath it. The two traffic lanes in the centre are flanked on either side by wide raised pavements, which one presumes could safely carry both pedestrians and cyclists. The two older bridges standing next to it (numbers four and five in the succession of bridges to have spanned the river at this point) will eventually be demolished.

As one question put it, why is it called “Walton” and not “Shepperton” Bridge? Apparently, the first bridge erected in 1750 (and made of elm, hence the Borough of Elmbridge), was paid for by a man from the southern bank, and was therefore named Walton Bridge. There was perhaps another reason: by at least one account, there were objections to the construction of the bridge from ferry operators, who thought it would hurt their trade, the bargees who thought it would make the river impassable, and residents of Walton-on-Thames who were “worried about an influx of undesirable elements from north of the river”. (I hasten to add there was no evidence of these ancient animosities at the handover ceremony: present were mayors and council leaders from both the Surrey and Middlesex banks, the leader of the County Council, two cabinet ministers and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.)

The visible steelwork has been kept to a minimum to reduce its impact on its surroundings, and the new bridge is certainly much more pleasing to look at than its two utilitarian predecessors. And the colour? It was chosen to make the new bridge as visible as possible to short-sighted low-flying swans.

For those interested in the history of the bridges at this location on the Thames, a booklet to commemorate the new bridge and its predecessors can be purchased from the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society which may be contacted on http://sslhs.org.uk/

Further to the Notice posted on this Website on 18th June, Surrey County Council have passed on the following advance notice of weekend and night works taking place on Walton Bridge next week:

As the new bridge is nearing completion and will open to traffic in the coming weeks, there will be some night works taking place between 15 July and 22 July 2013.

On Monday 15 July between 20:00 and 06:00, the following morning, Costain will be installing a new service across the A244 at the junction of New Zealand Avenue/Oatlands Drive using four-way temporary traffic lights. No roads will be closed but delays may be expected due to the permanent traffic signals being switched off. 

Starting on Tuesday 16 July 2013 for three nights there will be overnight closures of the A244 across Walton Bridge between the junction of New Zealand Avenue/Oatlands Drive through to the junction of Russell Road/Fordbridge Road (Marshalls Roundabout) to facilitate the construction of the tie ins between the existing A244 and the new road across the newly constructed bridges. The closures will be in place between 20:00 and 06:00 each night with a fully signed diversion route via Hampton Court bridge. Access for emergency vehicles and residents within the closure will be provided when safe to do so.

Between 20:00 on Friday 19 July and 06:00 on Monday 22 July 2013, Walton Lane (Walton side) will be closed between the junction with the A244 Walton Bridge and the Cowey Sale car park entrance nearest to the A244. This closure is required to construct the new road that will connect with the re-aligned A244 that will cross the newly constructed bridge. A local signed diversion route will be in place throughout this period using Bridge Street, Oatlands Drive, Monument Hill, Monument Green, Thames Street and Walton Lane or vice versa. The Cowey Sale car park and Cafe will remain open as normal though access will be via the diversion route. Due to the nature and extent of the works access for emergency vehicles and residents will only be via the diversion route as well.

All above dates and times are subject to operational and weather constraints.

Manor Mead School in Shepperton is an educational establishment for children with severe/profound learning difficulties or autistic spectrum disorder. The School is a Surrey LEA facility and its catchment area includes Sunbury.

Applications are invited to fill a vacancy for a Community Governor on the Governing Body and LOSRA has been asked to provide contact details should any resident wish to apply for the position. Information about the School may be viewed by clicking here: manor-mead.surrey.sch.uk and, for further information on the role of Community Governor, enquiries may be directed to Peter Norgate at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As it did last year, the Sunbury Cricket Club is delighted to host an event which is part of the Sunbury & Shepperton Arts Festival - most of their events take place at the Riverside Arts Centre, but with a jazz event like this, the organisers like to take advantage of the somewhat funkier surroundings of the Cricket Club. 

The Club is once again very happy to be part of the Festival, which boasts two weeks of eclectic music, comedy, literary and cultural events during July. The Stardust Big Band comprises musicians who have played with some of the top names in British jazz, like Vic Ash, Bobby Orr and the Ted Heath Band. Last year's Festival big band evening at the Club was extremely well-attended and highly successful providing, as it did, a change from its more familiar rock, blues and R&B presentations.

Please note that, for reasons of band availability, this is a Saturday event and starts earlier than the Club's usual gigs. Tickets at £10 are available in advance from the Festival box office at 01932 567365, or at the door.

A developer has made an informal approach to the Spelthorne Planning Office regarding developing the site of the old tennis courts near The Ridings on the eastern side of Green Street.

This is not the first time an application has been made to develop this site and a figure of 14 dwellings has been suggested. As we have no concrete information at all about the developer’s plans for the site (or even the identity of the developer) we have no idea whether or not this figure is correct. 

The Spelthorne Planning Office has, at our request, told the developer that it would be advantageous to all sides to meet with LOSRA at the earliest opportunity to discuss their plans. As soon as we can establish the developer’s identity, we will contact them.