Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
Christmas Shopping - Know Your Rights
Faulty goods, misleading claims and substandard services mean Christmas presents fly back on to the shelves in January, according to new figures from Citizens Advice.
Analysis by the charity shows that people are more likely to call its Consumer Service helpline with complaints about items such as toys, computer games and jewellery in January than any other time of year.
Citizens Advice, Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are urging people to get to know their new consumer rights as Christmas shopping gets underway. The organisations are highlighting how the new Consumer Rights Act, brought into effect on 1 October, can help people to shop with confidence and get their money back when things go wrong.
The findings reveal that complaints to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service about toys doubled in January 2015 in comparison to the rest of the year, while problems with DVDs, video games, games consoles, and sound systems rose by two thirds.
The top five most complained about personal goods in January 2015 were:
- Tablets, notebooks and laptops hit the number one spot. Last January saw 850 complaints, one third higher than the rest of the year.
- Women’s clothing - complaints rose by a fifth.
- Televisions - the helpline saw 29 per cent more enquiries.
- Toys - toys had the biggest increase in complaints, which were more than double than any other time of the year
- Jewellery - complaints increased by 40%
Complaints were most likely to be about defective goods, while one in seven people contacted the service because of misleading claims and descriptions about their purchase. One in twenty complained that businesses didn’t honour their cancellation rights.
The Festive Season Starts with a Christmas Fayre on 10th December
Something of a departure from the customary Christmas market, the festive season this year will start with a Christmas Fayre to be held on Thursday December 10th from 5pm - 9pm in the Orchard Meadow car park opposite Avenue Parade. Live reindeer, sponsored by Crest Nicholson, childrens entertainment, Santa’s grotto, stalls and carols . There will also be a large community raffle with many excellent prizes. Tickets will be on sale in the village and proceeds will be going to the Princess Alice Hospice.
Display of Local History Photographs at Sunbury Library, 14th November
Members of the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society will be mounting an exhibition of historical photos at Sunbury Library. The one-day free event will take place on the ground floor between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 14th November.
The exhibition promises some previously unseen photos including those with a royal theme to celebrate the birthday of the Prince of Wales. History books will also be on sale.
For more information please visit: www.sslhs.org.uk or call Nick on 01932 564585 or Brenda on 01932 784866.
New Council Leader Elected
Cllr Quentin Edgington has been elected as the new Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, following the death of Cllr Robert Watts earlier this month.
Cllr Edgington was elected to the Council in May 2015 and is a Conservative ward councillor for Riverside and Laleham. He works as an Area Manager for a funeral directors and previously served as a councillor for the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.
Cllr Edgington said: “This is a real honour and I would like to thank my colleagues for putting their trust in me and electing me to the role of Leader. Spelthorne is a fantastic Borough and I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve the residents and continue the excellent work undertaken by Cllr Watts. I have lots of plans and ideas and I look forward to implementing them together with my fellow councillors and all the staff at Spelthorne Council.”
Cllr Edgington has appointed Cllr Maureen Attewell and Cllr Joanne Sexton as Deputy Leaders. Cllr Maureen Attewell replaces Cllr Colin Davis as Cabinet Member for Waste, Environment and Parking following his resignation from the Cabinet.
The other Cabinet positions remain unchanged.
Progress on 'EcoPark' Works in November
LOSRA has been updated on the following works at the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at Charlton Lane which are due to be completed during the month of November:
- The roof and wall cladding for the new reuse facility in the community recycling centre will be installed.
- Work will begin to erect the steel frame for the Recyclables Bulking Facility.
- A number of large concrete pours will take place to form the slabs for the Anaerobic Digestion Facility tanks.
- Work will continue on:
- The drainage pipe to carry surface water from the site to the infiltration pond.
- The ramp to link the community recycling centre with the new bulking facility.
- The new weighbridge.
- The containers at the rear of the community recycling centre remain unavailable due to the building works. The site continues to accept the full range of materials with a reduced number of containers, with additional staff on hand to assist site users.
- Please note that as the recycling centre is typically less busy in the winter months, particularly towards the end of the day as evening draws in, from 1 November it returns to its usual winter closing time of 4.15pm.
LOSRA Autumn Newsletter Out Now
Our Autumn Newsletter is back from the printers and will be delivered to Lower Sunbury households within the next few days.
More...
The Manor Players Bring Neil Simon's California Suite to the RAC, November 12th - 14th
The Manor Players bring to the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street, an evening of four short plays by Neil Simon that feature various visitors to two suites in a prominent Californian Hotel.
This witty production, full of comical situations and delightfully outrageous characters, is set in the Beverly Hills Hotel, California. From the acclaimed author of The Plaza Suite, we are again treated to Simon’s comedic take on situations that people create for themselves as the stories unfold. Is the wife going to catch her husband out? Will the Academy Award nominee win and, if not, find comfort? What will be the culmination of four friends’ tennis-playing vacation? It’s all nicely set up for us to laugh, squirm and enjoy this great family entertainment.
Aircraft Noise Complaints
Residents will be aware of a significant increase in aircraft noise over the last couple of weeks.
If you have been affected please use the link below to register your complaint. This is not a matter on which LOSRA can make a representation on behalf of residents as our voice will simply count as one complaint in this automated world.
It is up to individuals to register their disapproval by visiting: www.heathrow.com/noise/what-you-can-do
Modular Nursery Building Proposed in Cedars Park, Green Street
LOSRA has received a number of queries regarding the proposed modular nursery building to be sited on the north side of the existing car park and located to the immediate right (when entering) of the main vehicular access point to the Cedars park site in Green Street. There are currently car parking spaces on site but it is not proposed to increase the existing capacity. The Association is well aware that the car park is frequently used by parents dropping off children at nearby schools and as an overflow car park for the Sunbury Health Centre. Concerns have been expressed by residents that the car park fills up at peak times and that the installation of the proposed nursery building will exacerbate the problem.
Not having been notified directly, we heard about this application a bit late in the day; and it will be noted that the closing date for representations falls on 16th October. This said, the Planning Committee is obliged to consider all representations made up to the date of Planning Committee which will not be held until November. If you wish to make a representation, this may be completed online by visiting http://my.spelthorne.gov.uk/planning/ and searching Planning Reference 15/00614/FUL
Sunbury Cricket Club Welcomes MUNCH on Friday 23rd October
The next Music Night at the SCC is on Friday 23rd October when the Club welcomes MUNCH, led by ace keyboard player Dave ‘Munch’ Moore. The band were initially recommended to the Club by Paul Cox, lead singer of Fire & Water – Dave Moore occasionally deputises in Paul’s band and played at the Club last year with Paul Cox & The Proof – so they come with excellent credentials.
Dave Moore’s career goes back to the ‘70s when he was with No Dice, who toured Europe with Status Quo and did the Reading Festival, and was in Mainsqueeze for the legendary ‘Live at Ronnie Scotts’ session in 1983 with Dick Heckstall-Smith, Eric Bell, Victor Brox and John O’Leary. He was with Heckstall-Smith and Pete Brown for several years, and also toured with Bo Diddley. He is joined in Munch by the fine guitarist Pete Bennett, who opened shows for Cream and John Mayall early in his career and led and produced The Old Pals Act, along with former members of Thin Lizzy and Supertramp, signed to Polydor in the late 70s. Bassist Nigel Hardy was with Robert Palmer and Paul Jones, and regularly appears with Steve Whalley – he is also familiar to Music Night audiences as a member of The Proof. Drummer Gary Bentley has toured with a host of top names, including The Real Thing, George McRae, The Three Degrees and many others.
They are all seasoned players who fit the archetypal Music Night mould, and are guaranteed to bring a rousing night of top class rocking blues and funk to the Club.
Once again, food will be available before the show, with last orders taken at around 8pm – quite a lot of the Club's regulars are now taking advantage of the enhanced offering. Don’t forget that if you are a social member of the Club (£20 per annum subscription) you enjoy lower bar prices, including excellent wines at £10 a bottle – you can find a membership form on the Cricket Club web site at www.sunburycricket.co.uk, or you can join when you are at the Club (and get the lower prices the same night!).
The Patients' Participation Group Announces Open Meeting at Sunbury Health Centre, 19th October
Patients at the Sunbury Health Centre, Green Street, are invited to hear Dr Gill and other Practice staff give an overview of the many positive developments taking place as well as highlighting the challenges faced by the Practice in their ever expanding community.
The invitation to the meeting, which will take place from 6.30pm - 7.30pm, includes an appeal for additional members to join the PPG.
Council Announces Sudden Death of Leader
It is with deep shock and sadness that Spelthorne Council announces the death of Cllr Robert Watts, Leader of the Council, who died at his home in Shepperton on Monday 5 October.
Cllr Watts was elected to the Council in May 2011, representing the Shepperton Town ward. Upon election he was given Cabinet responsibility for the Environment where he oversaw a number of projects including the introduction of food waste collections.
In February 2013 he took up the post of Leader of the Council and also served on the Local Plan Working Party, Surrey Waste Partnership and the Surrey Local Committee in Spelthorne.
Prior to entering local politics he enjoyed a successful career in Civil Engineering. He was 64 years old.
Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, Roberto Tambini, said: “We are all terribly shocked by this sad news. Robert had a passion for politics and an unfaltering desire to improve the lives of the Borough’s residents and the place will be all the poorer without him. I very much enjoyed working with Robert and will miss him greatly.”
Fellow Shepperton Town ward councillor, Robin Sider, said: “I am devastated by this news. Cllr Watts was a great friend and colleague and his untimely death will leave a large void in our ward. He lived to work hard for the community and will be sadly missed by all.”
Hospitals Merger Given the Green Light
LOSRA has received the following emailed announcement from the Chairmen of Ashford & St. Peter's and The Royal Surrey County Hospitals:
As you may be aware, Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are proposing to merge. We have recently received final clearance on our proposed merger from the Competitions and Markets Authority which means we can now proceed with the next stage in our planning.
Our proposal to merge is based around securing a stronger future for our two organisations which will allow us to deliver a number of important patient benefits, including more consultant care at weekends and increased investment in facilities and technology. This was recognised by the CMA during their investigation which highlighted the commitment and professional pride in the provision of high quality care by the staff of our organisations.
The next stage in the process will be for both Boards from both Trusts to consider the full business case and detailed financial plans for the proposed merger and to make their decision on the next step forward. Subject to their approval the process will then include an assessment by Monitor, the health sector regulator, and at a later stage, final approvals from Boards and Councils of Governors.
Subject to full regulatory, Board and Governor approvals, the earliest start date for the proposed new organisation would be Summer 2016.
In the meantime, we would like to talk to as many local stakeholders and residents about our plans and answer any questions that you may have. We are really interested to hear your views and any concerns you may have. We welcome any invitations to attend your group meetings.
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 01932 723800 to arrange a meeting.
Yours sincerely
Aileen McLeish, Chairman, Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals
Peter Dunt, Chairman, The Royal Surrey County Hospital
Invitation to Sign Petition to Include Sunbury in Oyster Network
The following link takes you to a petition to connect Sunbury to the city centre with more affordable travel costs. Many people commute from Sunbury into London and despite being much closer to the city centre than many other zone 6 stations, they are forced to incur far greater travel costs due to being two station stops outside the Oyster network.
Trains going through Sunbury also only go to either London Waterloo or two stops further out to Shepperton. Therefore it seems illogical for it to remain outside the Oyster network.
If you agree and wish to add your name to the petition, click here
