A public transport watchdog has praised Surrey’s review of bus services and recommended other councils take notice. Passenger Focus has produced a best practice guide for cash-strapped local authorities that need to reduce costs, amid what the organisation calls ‘the greatest financial challenge for the English bus industry in a generation’. The independent watchdog used … Continue reading
A ‘to do list’ of major road schemes designed to reduce congestion and boost economic growth has been approved by Surrey County Council’s Cabinet. The list was drawn up in preparation for a series of new funding opportunities worth millions of pounds, which will become available from Government. Initial planning work will begin on the road projects so … Continue reading
The spread of ash disease across parts of the UK has led to a call for Surrey residents to be vigilant. The county council has been working with national and regional organisations, including the Forestry Commission, Surrey Wildlife Trust and local councils, to ensure Surrey is prepared for an outbreak of the disease, also known … Continue reading
A ‘gritter Twitter’ service will help motorists plan their journeys during bouts of snow and ice this winter. The social networking feed, at http://www.twitter.com/surreytravel, provides updates on gritting activity, weather conditions, road closures and traffic information. It is updated by Surrey County Council, the Highways Agency and BBC Surrey. John Furey, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet … Continue reading
An Olympics inspired compost bin has won Godstone Village School the top prize in a painting competition. As part of Surrey County Council’s home composting campaign, the events team held composting days at several primary and junior schools in Surrey. Each school was given three compost bins and a set of painting materials to give … Continue reading
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment John Furey explained why the road deaths have fallen in the economic downturn in an interview with BBC Surrey presenter Nigel Williams about national research commissioned by the authority’s road safety experts. – Audio courtesy of BBC Surrey
The economic downturn has dramatically cut the number of deaths on Britain’s roads, new research suggests. Since Britain went into recession the number of people killed on the roads has fallen by more than a third, from 2,946 in 2007 to 1,901 in 2011. The dramatic drop coincided with a general fall in traffic as … Continue reading
With snow recently blanketing parts of England and the odds of a white Christmas slashed*, an army of gritters, ploughs and 4x4s are ready to treat roads during extreme weather this winter. Surrey County Council’s gritting lorries have already seen action this month as road temperatures plummeted below zero. Reporters, film crews, weather presenters and … Continue reading
All Surrey County Council’s 1,741 grit bins have been filled to help people treat roads and pavements in their communities this winter. The fill-up is part of the council’s plans to keep Surrey moving during freezing weather. The bins are being fitted with barcodes for the first time to enable the council to remotely monitor … Continue reading
Surrey County Council is challenging families to see how much they could reduce their household food waste by in five days. The challenge is part of the Love Food Surrey campaign and aims to highlight and tackle the enormous amount of food being wasted by residents in Surrey. John Furey, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member … Continue reading
A scheme that gives people the chance to pitch for up to £10,000 to support green travel schemes in their neighbourhoods has been extended. The Travel SMART scheme has been rolled out in Redhill West, Merstham in Reigate and in the Stoke and Stoughton areas of Guildford. This follows a successful launch of the project … Continue reading
Surrey County Council has won a national award with roads contractor May Gurney for making savings of £6m in a year. They have been jointly recognised by the Association of Consultant Architects after Surrey’s main contractor saved £4.1m on the previous road maintenance contract covering potholes, winter work and the upkeep of bridges. May Gurney … Continue reading
Salt stocks have swelled to 16,000 tonnes as Surrey County Council prepares to tackle ice and snow this winter. The stockpile is double the salt needed in an average Surrey winter and 60% more than was used to keep the county moving last season. The huge heap is also more than enough to see Surrey … Continue reading
Surrey County Council is backing a campaign by industry and consumer groups urging householders to stock up on heating oil now. Buying oil as soon as possible before the onset of severe weather can mean a cost saving when demand is low and also means householders are guaranteed fuel during the coldest months. Householders are … Continue reading
People have been asked to help draw up a road repair hit list as part of a blitz on Surrey’s worst roads. The county council will use residents’ suggestions to help create a list of streets most in need of repair. These will then be overhauled as part of a five-year blitz on tackling the … Continue reading