Over the past 18 months, since our original article on the subject, much work has been going into identifying a site for the school and checking on its feasibility. As outlined in the following article from the Surrey Mirror, it seems that the Council is on the verge of securing a site at Battlebridge.
Find the Surrey Mirror article at the following link: http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Merstham-primary-school-open-2014/story-14985742-detail/story.html
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Much work by whom? The council is still failing to publish details of any of the sites it’s ‘investigated’, how can residents be assured that taxpayers’ money is being invested wisely - particularly when the latest proposed plot is greenbelt land and could only exacerbate the already dreadful congestion at the Battlebridge junction?
Alex - as noted in the article the work is still being done and no decision has been made. When the work is complete it will need to be reported on and come forward for a decision. I would share your disappointment if issues such as traffic and greenbelt are not addressed in the report, but until it is complete we shouldn’t rush to judgement.
Frenches Road Pond should not be designated as an exclusion area for the following reasons:- It is the only area in the immediate locality where people can walk their dogs most people keep dogs on a lead, there is almost no fouling because the people who use this space ensure it is kept clear. A high proportion of the people who walk dogs in this location are elderly so getting to other locations would be difficult. This location is not suitable as a play area so most activities are limited to feeding birds & walking dogs. I suggest that the latter is by far the greater use of Frenches Pond. There has been little or no option for users to comment, most do not have access to the internet, so isolated committee decisions may be made with almost no research or opnions sought.
I agree that fouling by dogs has to be addressed but excluding dogs becaused the location is deemed unsuitable by persons who either have no knowledge of or have never visited the location is not justified.
For the record I walk my small dog twice a day around Frenches Pond I often photograph birds etc. I am also in my 70′s. People with children have never complained to myself. Also I often resort to clearing up bread scattered about the place because it attracts rats.
Dave - thank you for this - I will pass this feedback on as part of the Dog Control Orders consultation.