PCSO Lesley Foster is inviting local residents to bring along their bicycles to a free marking session in Byfleet.

The event is taking place on Saturday 26 January 2013 between 12noon and 2pm at the Policing Post, St Marys Centre, Stream Close, Byfleet.

PCSO Lesley Foster said: “Cycle marking is a really simple way of protecting your property and if you have had a new bike for Christmas now is the time to think about proper security. Bikes are marked with a special pen which is invisible to the human eye but can be easily read under a UV light. The information written on the bike-frame makes it much easier to reunite bicycles with their proper owners if they are stolen.”

Many bicycle thefts can be prevented by taking a few basic precautions and bikers are reminded of a few safety tips by Surrey Police:

· Obtain a good bike lock (D locks or combination locks are best – ask for a recommendation at a bike shop)

· Lock your bike to something secure – a bike rack or lamp post

· Lock up removable parts (for example, wheels) or take them with you (for example, light fittings)

· If you store your bike in a shed or garage, make sure you keep it secure.

On the 4^th December a resident contacted one of the KRA members complaining about the noise coming from the service yard during the previous night. On investigation it was found that Sainsbury’s had erected a marquee within the service yard and were using it for additional storage. This meant that contrary to one of the conditions imposed by Woking Borough Council on Sainsbury’s opened the store. The condition states that between 7.00pm and 7.00am there should be no deliveries except by vehicles which are loaded and unloaded directly from the vehicle to the service bay building. A formal complaint was submitted to WBC. The issue was also taken up by Cllr Whitehand.

This is not the first time that Sainsbury’s have used a marquee in the service yard and last year they were informed that it required planning permission. Sainsbury’s did submit a planning application in January 2012 for the previous December and seeking permission to use a marquee during December 2012 and January 2013. This request was withdrawn prior to it going before the Planning Committee. Given the history you can understand our surprise when we were informed on 17^th December that it was not a planning issue and that planning permission was not required.

At this point let me quote from the report the Planning Officer was going to submit to the Planning Committee In February 2012. ‘The proposed erection of a marquee for a temporary period between December 2012 and January 2013 would, by reason of the intensification of operations within the outdoor service yard and the lack of any acoustic insulation to the structure, result in an adverse impact on the amenity and peaceful enjoyment of neighbouring residential properties, contrary to policies BE1, BE4 and BE5 of the Local Plan 1999.’

Given the above the residents who live close to the service yard cannot understand why Sainsbury’s went ahead and erected the marquee given they had received such clear advice and more importantly why WBC felt unable to take any action, especially against the increased in the level of noise at night.

There is some good news, on 20^th December Sainsbury’s voluntarily agreed not to undertake any activities in the marquee after 1 1.00pm or before 07.00am.

Also Sainsbury’s have now submitted new plans for the service yard to be fully enclosed. The Residents’ Association welcome this move and will be examining the details of the proposed enclosure.

P.Stubbs

Recent debate has begun regarding the concerns of residents on speeding in the village. A recent poll showed that 55% have noticed speeding frequently, 25% often and 20% not at all.

Residents in Chobham Road, especially around the Knaphill Lower School area, have raised the issue due to inconsiderate and dangerous driving around the school. Near misses from speeding 4×4’s and ill-considered parking from parents dropping children off at school are at the center of the concern.

This is not the first time speeding, parking and traffic have been raised but we are in the very early stages of attempting to make sure it’s one of the last. All measures will be up for consideration and local councillors, police and the school have been invited to join in and take an active role – indeed the village will require their support if aims are to be met. One suggestion is for a reduction in speed limit to 20mph; you can read an article on this from The Telegraph here.

Shortly there will be a petition created for residents to sign to show their support for such a set of actions to reduce speeding and traffic problems, with a focus on the areas outside schools.

Updates on this topic will be posted here so please get in touch if you wish to add any information.

UPDATE 3/12/12

Cllr Melanie Whitehand has already been in touch and has contacted both Geoff McManus regarding parking and the police to help the situation…

UPDATE 4/12/12

We’ve met with county councillor Diana Smith (a fortuitous meeting while putting up lights around Anchor Cresent!) and SCC are in the process of installing speed monitoring equipment in Chobham Road. This can, apparently, take some time to put in place however so a quicker option in the interim is for the police to conduct some speed testing. The results from the testing in the High Street are about to become available so we shall find out what they are soon and what, if any measures are implemented.

12/12/12

The school now have a banner for safer parking on the front fence and the police presence on school days is having an amazing effect – well done all. I do feel slightly sorry for the police though, they look frozen today!

A damp start to the day provided normal KRA operating conditions for the recent litter pick of Knaphill village, organised by our own Ann Mason and Antony Polack. Helped along by a pack of pickers, we had 15 helpers in all and our thanks go to each of them for giving generously of their time to help improve the village.

A considerable amount of rubbish was collected – the most common offenders being cigarette butts and energy drinks cans. We also found empty wine bottles, clothing, rags, receipts and the usual junk carelessly discarded or blown from topless bins.

Phil Stubbs also took the opportunity to rake the leaves up from the old library site in preparation for the service on the 11th.

Thanks should also go to Kate Wilson from WBC who came over from Surbiton just to help out and lend the use of garbage grabbers and provide bags for Serco to collect.

I’m mightily pleased that we got volunteers to help out and even though we got some funny looks for cleaning the village, it was a worthwhile effort to make the streets just a bit tidier. Lets hope the village can keep it that way for a while!

As some of you will know, we’ve had to use a delivery chap for the last year or more. While this has been an excellent service and we thank Richard for his efforts, two things have come to light – firstly, members that helped deliver the magazine before started to feel left out and wanted to re-start the deliveries. This is naturally a fantastic situation to have as we can now help them help us, so to speak. It also mitigates the second issue of cost of delivery which I have to admit was eating into the coffers somewhat.

Neville Hinks has been in touch with the old distribution network and I’m pleased to say that most roads in the village are covered by existing or recently found volunteers. We do however have some outstanding roads that we would appreciate a volunteer distributor for, they are (quantities in brackets) –

Cavell Way and Tringham Close (115)
Alexandra Gardens (200)
Lane End Drive (95)
Nursery Road, Halls Farm Close, and St Hildas Close (100)
Robin Hood Road, Anchor Hill, Waterers Rise, and Barnby Road (200)
Robin Hood Crescent (70)
Lansbury Estate (40)
Knaphill churches (50)

How it works

The magazines are delivered to the editor and sorted into piles by road. These will then be taken to the deliverer’s doorstep for distribution.

Anyone feeling ready, willing and able should get in touch with the editor ‘editor@knaphill.org‘