SCC

Council confirms commitment to preserving Heathrow’s UK hub status

Surrey County Council has confirmed its commitment to preserving Heathrow’s status as the UK’s hub airport because of the huge economic benefits it brings. Around 10,000 people in Surrey work at Heathrow with a further 4,000 in related jobs and more than 200 of the UK’s top 300 companies are based within 25 miles of … Continue reading →

Time running out to support Surrey’s inclusion in Crossrail 2

There are just two weeks left for people to support Surrey’s inclusion in Crossrail 2, which could have benefits across the South East. Mayor of London Boris Johnson is consulting on the new cross London rail line, which could increase capacity on the South West Main Line by up to 40% at peak times. There … Continue reading →

VIDEO: Innovation key for Surrey

Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge outlined the importance of unlocking innovative ideas to transform services at a meeting of the Full Council. It came after Surrey was named as part of a new ground-breaking nationwide network to drive forward innovation and potentially save millions from the public purse by Secretary of State for Communities … Continue reading →

A wheely good time in store at the Reigate Cycle Festival

A new festival has been organised in Reigate to encourage more people to embrace the bicycle. The Reigate Cycle Festival will capitalise on the surge in popularity of pedal power since Team GB’s Olympic medal-winning heroics on the county’s roads last year. The free festival – the first of its kind in Reigate – follows … Continue reading →

Three Cabinet ministers mark completion of new Walton Bridge

Three Cabinet ministers today visited the new £32 million Walton Bridge to celebrate the spectacular structure’s completion. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin was joined by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander at the first new road bridge to be built over the River Thames in more than 20 years. To … Continue reading →

Bids start rolling in for cash to help people with dementia

Cookery courses, art classes and gardening are among community projects in the running to win cash to make life better for thousands of people with dementia in Surrey. More than 30 groups have either put in bids to win a share of a £50,000 pot of cash to help people with the condition stay in … Continue reading →

IN PICTURES: Event to mark the spectacular new £32 million Walton Bridge across the Thames being completed on time and on budget

Bids flood in from groups for community cash

Almost 90 bids have been lodged for a share of a £1 million pot of cash to help people improve their local areas. Surrey County Council received 88 applications from community groups before the latest deadline for cash. The fund was launched by Leader David Hodge with the aim of supporting residents’ efforts to independently … Continue reading →

MEDIA INVITE: Be the first to cross new £32m road bridge over River Thames

What: Reporters, photographers and film crews are invited to be the first to walk across the newly completed Walton Bridge – the only road crossing built over the River Thames in more than 20 years. The spectacular bridge in Surrey will not open to the public until later this month, but media can get a … Continue reading →

Celebrity chef backs Surrey’s home composting campaign

Michelin-star chef and TV star Raymond Blanc is urging Surrey residents to get composting this summer. Mr Blanc, who loves to garden and will soon open his latest brassiere in Farnham, Surrey said: “Composting is a gardening activity you can do all year round. The summer months are a good time of year to either … Continue reading →

Hit list of schemes to tackle congestion and drive growth gets backing

A hit list of schemes to ease congestion and drive economic growth has been given the green light. Surrey Future identified 16 major schemes to tackle snarl-ups over four years from 2015 after launching with the aim of making major infrastructure improvements to help businesses thrive. The group, which brings together Surrey’s councils and business … Continue reading →

VIDEO: Small army of dementia helpers wanted

A small army of Surrey businesses and individuals is being called upon to make life better for people with dementia in their own communities. Around 15,000 people in Surrey aged over 65 have dementia, which equates to around one in 13 older people. For more information about helping people with the condition, go to Surrey … Continue reading →

Boris Becker’s uphill task

Following the news that tennis legend Boris Becker is worried about the hills in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 cycling event after confirming he will participate in next month’s event, Surrey County Council Leader David Hodge said: “Climbing Leith Hill and then the iconic Box Hill will test even the fittest of riders so if Boris … Continue reading →

Council domestic abuse project wins national award

Surrey County Council has won a national award for the work its libraries are doing to support vulnerable people. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has recognised the library service for an initiative to help people affected by domestic abuse. The free scheme gives access to computers in a safe place so … Continue reading →

Teams announced for Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic

Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Sky team head the list of starters for next month’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic. Sky is among eight teams currently racing at the Tour de France to confirm they will compete on Surrey’s roads one year on from the Olympic Games. The full press release is on the RideLondon website.