The South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee met on Wednesday 27 March 2024, approving three community grant applications totalling £8,782 and agreeing to implement traffic management measures in the Hunters Road area and a permit parking area in Toby Way. The committee also received updates on community policing and Transport for London (TfL) works, and maintained existing arrangements for Councillor Ward Funding.

Community Grants Programme

The committee unanimously approved three applications for Neighbourhood Community Grants. St Philip's School Kingston received £2,782 for equipment for their new vocational centre, which will include a bike mechanics course. Kitchen Roots Community (KRC) in Chessington was awarded £3,000 to support their work providing healthy, sustainable meals and cooking courses to the local community on a pay what you can, if you can basis. The Celebrate Chessington 2024 Organising Committee also received £3,000 to help fund their community engagement event on 30 May 2024, which aims to provide entertainment and direct residents to support services.

Introduction of Traffic Management Measures on Hunters Road Area

The committee unanimously resolved to implement new traffic management measures in the Hunters Road area, following a public consultation. These measures include installing speed humps at each entry of the mini-roundabout on Hunters Road and introducing yellow line waiting restrictions on Hunters Road. These changes are intended to address resident concerns about the safety of the mini-roundabout and double parking. The implementation is subject to a statutory Traffic Management Order (TMO) consultation, and authority has been delegated to the Assistant Director Highways, Transport and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-Chair, and relevant Ward Members, to handle any objections. Residents will be informed of the committee's decision.

Toby Way - Permit Parking Area

A Permit Parking Area (PPA) was approved for Toby Way, also subject to a statutory Traffic Management Order consultation. This decision follows a public consultation and aims to proactively address potential parking concerns arising from the development of Signal Park and Lansdowne Close. Under the approved arrangements, only residents of Dean Court and their visitors will be eligible to purchase parking permits. Residents of Drayton Court will not be eligible. The parking restrictions will be in place from Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm. Residents will be informed of the committee's decision.

Councillor Ward Funding Working Arrangements 2024/25

The committee unanimously agreed to maintain the current working arrangements for the allocation of Councillor Ward Funding (CWF) for the 2024/25 municipal year. Councillor Ward Funding, first introduced in 2016/17, provides local councillors with funds to support local initiatives within their wards. The budget for 2024/25 remains at £2,000 per Councillor per year, with each councillor allocated funding individually.

Community Police Update

The committee received a written report from the Metropolitan Police. The report noted a recent increase in residential burglaries in February and March, with crime prevention advice subsequently distributed. There has been a drop in vehicle theft offences following a police operation in Chessington, which resulted in arrests for drug offences and possession of an air weapon. A decrease in dangerous dog offences was also reported, partly attributed to advice distributed to dog owners and the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. The report also detailed two early morning warrants conducted in Chessington South in relation to the drugs trade, which led to arrests, and an arrest of a juvenile male for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

TfL Update

Transport for London (TfL) provided a written report due to the pre-election period. Works on Phase 3 of the Tolworth Roundabout project, including the creation of a shared use facility for pedestrians and cyclists on the Kingston Road central reservation, are nearing completion, with an aim to finish by 5 April 2024. Carriageway surfacing on the roundabout and Kingston Road is ongoing, with night-time works planned. New traffic signals are being installed, and TfL aims to substantially complete the main works by 15 April.

Regarding the 281 bus route consultation, TfL has decided to proceed with proposed changes to extend the route to serve the new Signal Park development and Tolworth railway station. The existing first and last stop at Tolworth Tower will no longer be served, but Tolworth Broadway will be served in both directions. These changes are intended to be introduced in autumn 2024.

Public Questions

Several public questions were raised. A resident inquired about concrete delivery vehicles and rubble-carrying vehicles in Green Lane, suggesting major construction. The question was forwarded to the planning team for a written response. Another resident asked about parking by parents at St Mary's Primary School and requested council action with the Police to improve child safety. The Chair noted the website address for reporting illegally parked vehicles, and a ward councillor suggested consulting local addresses for a potential school street. Highways officers will investigate options on-site. 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.