The Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee met on Thursday 22 February 2024, approving significant funding for community projects and discussing key infrastructure developments. Decisions included the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funds to six projects totalling £135,000 and the approval of Councillor Ward Funding for three local initiatives. The committee also reviewed proposed designs for the Ewell Road cycle route and the planned highway maintenance programme for the upcoming year.

Allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) Funds

The committee approved the allocation of £135,000 from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to five projects. The largest single allocation was £51,200 for Enriching Elmbridge Meadows, a project aimed at restoring the Hogsmill river, an internationally rare chalk stream. This funding will support in-channel improvements, habitat creation, and community engagement events.

Other approved NCIL funding included:

• £20,000 for the Surbiton Library Community Hub project, which will reconfigure a room in the library to create more flexible community space, including a confidential pod and updated furniture.
• £22,000 for A Mini History (60th Anniversary) to create a piece of public art celebrating the history of the John Cooper Garage in Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, and to promote the area as a hub for innovation.
• £40,000 for the Fishponds Pathway Project, which will create a new connecting footpath and entrance gate at Fishponds Park, improving accessibility for all users.
• £1,790 for Net Zero Business Outreach in Surbiton and Tolworth to support local small and medium-sized businesses in improving their resilience, reducing costs, and accelerating their transition to net zero carbon emissions.
• £20,000 for All Our Stories: Surbiton, a project to tell an alternative history of Surbiton that reflects the borough's increasing diversity, as part of the Kingston 2025 celebrations.

The application for the Fishponds Pathway Project for £40,000 was approved unanimously, with Councillors Tom Reeve and Anita Schaper recusing themselves from the debate and vote due to declared interests.

Community Grants Programme

The committee also approved allocations from the Councillor Ward Funding. £500 was allocated to support the Friends of Fishponds volunteer days, contributing to their work in maintaining and enhancing the park. Additionally, £1,000 was approved for Fircroft's 'Man Shed' project, which provides a space for men to connect, share skills, and work on creative projects, with the funding to be used for specialised materials. A further £10,000 was allocated for landscaping and biodiversity improvements at The Green, Lenelby Road, which will include new hedgerows, tree planting, and the installation of bug hotels and bird boxes.

Ewell Road Cycle Route Development

The committee received a report on the proposed designs for the missing section of the Ewell Road cycle route and modifications to existing sections. The proposals include segregated cycle lanes between Hollyfield Road and Red Lion Road, changes to shared use areas, the creation of disabled parking bays and a zebra crossing outside Dysart School, and the installation of toucan crossings at the Elgar Avenue and Princess Avenue junction.

Concerns were raised by the public regarding the loss of parking spaces, potential impact on businesses, and the safety of the proposed designs. Committee members acknowledged the parking concerns but noted efforts to mitigate these, including the creation of new parking bays in side roads and the intention to implement changes on an experimental basis for review. The proposals will be forwarded to the Place Committee for a decision on moving to the next stage of detailed design and implementation, with an estimated cost of £1.738m.

Planned Highway Maintenance and Street Lighting Capital Programme 2024/25

The committee was consulted on the proposed highway maintenance and street lighting capital programme for 2024/25. The report detailed planned works for carriageway, footway, and street lighting column replacement. Members were asked to provide comments for consideration by the Place Committee. Suggestions included re-examining a section of Elgar Avenue for maintenance and considering Grand Avenue for the 2025/26 programme. The total budget for highway maintenance is £1,750,000, with an additional £167,000 per annum from the Network North fund. The street lighting programme has a budget of £400,000.

Planning Application at Hollingsworth Court

A planning application for the demolition of existing garages and the erection of three new houses at Hollingsworth Court, Lovelace Gardens, Surbiton, was withdrawn from the agenda as no registered objectors had registered a speaking slot by the deadline. The application will be determined by the Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Infrastructure under delegated powers.

Public Questions

During the public questions session, residents raised concerns about through traffic in the Tolworth area and proposed Healthy Streets measures. The Chair stated that officers would present recommendations to a special meeting on 13 March 2024 after consultation. Concerns were also raised regarding the deferment of petitions on the King Charles Road modal traffic filter. The Chair explained that the report had been delayed due to staff shortages in the Highways Department, and that the forthcoming report would be based on facts and data. The Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Sustainable Transport noted that the pre-election period had also influenced the deferment of some controversial subjects.

Petitions

No petitions were formally submitted to the committee.

Response to Petitions

The committee noted the Council's response to a petition titled 'Ban Coaches on Thornhill Road and Tolworth Road', which concluded that the level of coach traffic was not significant enough to warrant intervention.