In a recent Conservative In-Touch newsletter County Councillor Tina Mountain states that proposals under Epsom’s Plan E for South Street to become two-way "show a clear lack of thinking and foresight".

As chairman of the borough council’s then planning policy sub-committee I steered through in 2008/9 the Epsom Town Centre Area Action Plan (now known as Plan E). The proposals following successful exhibitions, public consultation and, importantly, an examination in public by an independent government inspector the latter being found "sound".  The plans which comprised many improvements and objectives for the town has become part of the important planning policy documents for the borough.

The intention to return South Street to two way traffic to improve accessibility will provide a sensible new route particularly for traffic from the West Hill area going towards Ashtead and the Downs by not having to traverse the busy High Street past the clock tower and face the rather slow right hand turn into Ashley Road.  Computer projections of all directions of travel whether it be North-South or East-West show a shortening of journey time, especially in High Street West.   This surely must be good news.

It seems very odd that a Conservative leaflet with pictures of Chris Grayling - a cabinet minister - is shunning the proposals backed by government LEP (Local Economic Partnership) funded money won by Epsom, with support from Conservative led Surrey County Council, to promote a re-vitalisation of  our town. This award was achieved in the face of other competing Surrey projects.

I look forward to good progress with numerous town centre improvements from 1st April 2015.

Councillor Michael Arthur MBE

Ewell Ward Epsom & Ewell Borough Council 

 


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