The South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee met on Wednesday 27 March 2024, approving three community grant applications totalling £8,782 and agreeing to maintain current working arrangements for Councillor Ward Funding for the upcoming municipal year. The committee also approved the introduction of traffic management measures on Hunters Road and a permit parking area in Toby Way, following public consultations.

Community Grants Programme

The committee approved three applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants. A grant of £2,782 was awarded to St Philip's School in Chessington to fund equipment for their mechanics course in their new vocational centre, which will also include a bike mechanics course. Kitchen Roots Community (KRC) received £3,000 to support their work providing healthy, sustainable meals to those facing food insecurity, operating from St Mary's Centre. The Celebrate Chessington 2024 Organising Committee was also granted £3,000 to help fund their community event on 30 May 2024, which aims to provide entertainment and signposting to support services.

Councillor Ward Funding Working Arrangements 2024/25

The committee resolved to maintain its current working arrangements for the allocation of Councillor Ward Funding (CWF) for the 2024/25 municipal year. This means that each councillor will continue to have an individual allocation of £2,000 to support local initiatives within their ward. The CWF scheme, introduced in 2016/17, aims to provide flexible and timely funding for local projects.

Introduction of Traffic Management Measures on Hunters Road Area

Following a public consultation, the committee approved the implementation of traffic management measures on Hunters Road. These measures include the installation of new speed humps at each entry of the mini-roundabout and the introduction of yellow line waiting restrictions on Hunters Road. The decision was made in response to ongoing concerns raised by residents and Ward Members regarding the safety of the mini-roundabout and double parking. The approved measures will be subject to a statutory Traffic Management Order consultation.

Toby Way Permit Parking Area

The committee approved the introduction of a Permit Parking Area (PPA) in Toby Way, following a public consultation. The PPA will have parking restrictions from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm. This measure is intended to address parking concerns arising from the development of Signal Park and Lansdowne Close, and will primarily benefit residents of Dean Court, who will be eligible to apply for permits. Residents of Drayton Court will not be eligible for permits. The decision is subject to a statutory Traffic Management Order consultation.

Community Police Update

A written report from the Metropolitan Police was read to the committee, noting a recent increase in residential burglaries in February and March, with suspects gaining entry via rear access. Crime prevention advice has been distributed to residents. The report also highlighted a drop in vehicle theft offences following an operation in Chessington, which led to arrests for drug offences and possession of an air weapon. A decrease in dangerous dog offences was also noted, with advice distributed and Acceptable Behaviour Contracts used. Early morning warrants in Chessington South related to the drugs trade resulted in arrests, and an arrest was made for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

TfL Update

Due to the pre-election period for the Mayor of London and London Assembly elections, Transport for London (TfL) provided a written report. Works on Phase 3 of the Tolworth Roundabout project, including the creation of a shared use facility for pedestrians and cyclists, are nearing completion. Carriageway surfacing is scheduled to take place at night, and new traffic signals are being installed. TfL has also published its report following a consultation on proposed changes to bus route 281, which will be extended to serve the new Signal Park development and Tolworth railway station. The changes, which will see the route no longer serve Tolworth Tower but will serve Tolworth Broadway in both directions, are set to be introduced in autumn 2024.

Public Questions

During the public questions session, a resident raised concerns about concrete delivery vehicles and vehicles carrying rubble in Green Lane, suggesting major construction. The question was forwarded to the planning team for a written response. Another resident inquired about parking by parents at St Mary's Primary School and safety for children. The Chair provided the website address for reporting illegally parked vehicles, and it was suggested that highways officers would investigate options for a school street. A resident also asked about a traffic detection loop recently installed in Clayton Road, which a highways officer confirmed was installed by RBK for traffic modelling. The resident was asked to provide the exact location for further investigation. Finally, a resident who had previously requested car collision data was informed that the highways officer would email the information.