Cabinet Members agreed that Elmbridge Borough Council enters into an Option Agreement with the NHS North West Surrey Alliance Development Partner to enable the development of an NHS Neighbourhood Health Hub at Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames Cabinet also acknowledged the impact on the Walton Bowling Club and agreed to continue to consider alternative options for the Walton Bowling Club which includes a commitment to reasonable financial assistance for a merger or to improve bowls facilities in the borough the Elmbridge Cabinet will decide on the proposal to create a new NHS Neighbourhood Hub at the Elm Grove site in Walton-on-Thames This development aims to ensure all residents have access to high-quality healthcare services close to home are committed to the wellbeing and wellness of the local community Their ambition is to provide high quality healthcare services for the local population reduce unnecessary hospital visits and enhance patient experience.  The aim of the Neighbourhood Hub is to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities and tackle health inequalities by creating multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) These teams will include GPs and other primary care professionals and domiciliary and care staff working together to work more efficiently with healthier outcomes for the local community this NHS Neighbourhood Hub development on the Elm Grove site offers a blueprint to deliver a first-class health infrastructure which will offer integrated health services tackling health inequalities and improving outcomes for residents in Walton-on-Thames and the surrounding area Walton-on-Thames has some of the highest levels of need While the average life expectancy in Walton is 83.3 years and 84.9 years in North West Surrey it drops significantly to 78.6 years for men in the southern part of Walton This is a stark contrast to the 87.6 years in Oxshott and Stoke D’Abernon The Neighbourhood Hub approach to community care aims to bridge this gap by ensuring all residents have equal access to health and support services close to home The development of the site will enable the relocation of all health services from the current health centre and community hospital site at Rodney Road in Walton The Neighbourhood Hub will allow the existing 13 services to be significantly expanded operating in specially designed patient care facilities with the latest technology the current 19 GP practice rooms will be increased to 26 there are at least seven more planned services that will benefit the local community specialist nursing support for heart failure talking therapies for anxiety and depression A further benefit of the new building is that it will facilitate a seven-day service Elmbridge Cabinet will be asked to review the outcome of engagement with residents from the end of 2024 During our engagement through November and December 2024 which included a survey and in-person sessions we gathered feedback from around 500 residents on the Elm Grove proposals to Residents’ responses covered green spaces and play areas the NHS neighbourhood Health Hub and Walton Bowling Club A more detailed report on the engagement is available. Elmbridge Cabinet will discuss an extraordinary opportunity to support improving health outcomes for Walton residents by selling land on the Elm Grove site to the NHS development partner Cabinet approval will enable the Neighbourhood Health Hub to be built.  The Neighbourhood Hub would centralise essential services supporting community health needs and reduce pressure on local hospitals the Neighbourhood Hub would offer flexible sustainable facilities to benefit the community.  while the benefits of a Neighbourhood Hub are significant we also appreciate the passion and strength of feeling associated with Walton Bowling Club and the wellbeing value bowling brings to our residents.  Elmbridge is fortunate to have a variety of active bowls clubs in the borough We will continue our discussions with Walton Bowling Club about their future plans and support them as best we can This support includes a commitment to reasonable financial assistance for a merger or to improve bowls facilities in the borough.  Our proposal is to enable a new Neighbourhood Hub at Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames the proposed new Neighbourhood Hub development offers a unique chance to develop a modern integrated service that will support residents and improve healthcare for the local population integrated Health Hub while preserving green spaces and enhancing the much-valued Elm Grove recreation ground ensuring it remains a vibrant and valuable space for everyone to enjoy Portfolio Holder for Resources and Deputy Leader Elmbridge Borough Council      The agenda for the Cabinet meeting is available Watch the Cabinet meeting on 30 April at 4pm the Cabinet meeting will now be held on 30 April at 4pm Meeting agenda. Watch the meeting on webcast. We are aware of inaccurate information circulating regarding the development of Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames When incorrect information circulates it creates unnecessary worry and we apologise for that Included in this information is the assertion that on site tenants such as the Elmbridge Eco Hub are being forced to leave their current location the team is positive and optimistic about their move to Coronation Recreation Ground in Hersham This new location is giving them a permanent home allowing them to enhance their services and increase their positive impact on our community.  The potential development of Elm Grove will be discussed at the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting on 24 April (which will be webcast) At that meeting Cabinet members will discuss the options for the site in the context of the business case presented and the results of the residents’ consultation from November / December 2024 All information about Elm Grove is on the council’s website The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council have also been hosting events around Elmbridge in recent weeks discussing Elm Grove (among other topics) and answering any questions from residents.   If the answer to your query on Elm Grove is missing from the website, please email communications@elmbridge.gov.uk and we will ensure it is added Elm Grove will no longer be on the agenda for the Elmbridge Cabinet meeting in March In order to work through the full details and information needed with our NHS partners and on site tenants we will defer the report until a special Cabinet meeting in April.  The results of the consultation will be published with the reports for the special Cabinet meeting on 24 April The Shaping Elm Grove engagement is live from Monday 18 November until midnight on 18 December 2024  After considering your feedback and adopting the Development Brief for Elm Grove in Walton-on-Thames we would like to hear your comments on our emerging proposals for Elm Grove Your thoughts and opinions are valuable to us and we invite you to share any further views you may have about this site Elmbridge Borough Council is seeking to develop part of the Elm Grove site for either a new NHS neighbourhood Health Hub or for housing Redevelopment of the site will facilitate improvements to Elm Grove recreation ground including play area enhancements and more trees to help alleviate flooding on site.  Elmbridge Borough Council and your local NHS are aiming to transform the delivery of health and care services we can bring a range of essential services into one convenient location for the community The focus is to support people in their own communities ensuring they can access the right service at the right time The Elm Grove site is ideally positioned for this and will allow expansion of both primary care community health and wellbeing and care services It will support the population health needs now and as the community grows The site offers a unique opportunity for a broad mix of professionals from health voluntary and community sectors to work together and focus efforts on the needs of the people of Walton-on-Thames Local health practitioners and community providers are collaborating with Surrey Heartlands Health and Care Partnership to shape these exciting plans We understand the importance of Elm Grove to our community The decision on whether to develop homes or a Health Hub will depend on the available space.  we cannot accommodate a neighbourhood Health Hub or an optimum number of homes on the site if Walton Bowling Club and the Eco Hub remain in situ.  Your views matterIn this latest community engagement on Elm Grove we are asking your views on the possible development of the site including the value you would place on a new neighbourhood health hub for Walton We have an online survey available to capture your views but as always if you would like this in another format please email: communications@elmbridge.gov.uk.  We will also be available for the below in-person sessions where you can hear more about the possible neighbourhood health hub and understand more about the options of the site The Shaping Elm Grove engagement is available from Monday 18 November until midnight on 18 December 2024. The views captured during this engagement will be reported to Elmbridge Cabinet as part of an options report in the new year and we look forward to seeing you at our drop-in sessions – no booking needed More information on Shaping Elm Grove Stay up-to-date on council and borough news through WhatsApp and our newsletter.  Join Elmbridge Borough Council’s WhatsApp  Sign up to the Elmbridge Borough Council newsletter Help improve this site by giving feedback We use some essential cookies to make this website work We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK remember your settings and improve government services We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology a passenger train struck a section of redundant rail that had been left foul of the track on the approach to Walton-on- Thames station At the time of the collision with this rail the train was travelling at around 85 mph (137 km/h) and the train came to a stand around 500 metres beyond the point of derailment The redundant rail had inadvertently been left there by a team that had completed work in the area over the previous weekend Checks undertaken after the work was completed did not identify that a section of redundant rail was in a potentially hazardous position before the railway was handed back for normal operation This was because no person in charge had supervised the work and because a track handback engineer had not been effectively briefed as to what work had been undertaken before they inspected the track RAIB found that the arrangements in place for planning and delivering the work did not effectively manage the risk of a section of rail being left foul of the running line and that the process for inspecting the railway after the work was completed did not provide staff with clear guidance on which areas should be checked the relevant railway rules and standards do not clearly define the roles and responsibilities required to safely deliver work on complex work sites like the one involved in the accident The first is addressed to Colas Rail (in consultation with Network Rail) to review its processes related to collecting redundant material when working on or near the line The second is addressed to Network Rail (in consultation with the Rail Safety and Standards Board) to review the rules and standards relating to how tasks delivered in complex work sites should be co‑ordinated and supervised and to create a coherent process for confirming that the line is safe for the passage of trains after the work is complete The first reinforces the importance of infrastructure maintainers arranging adequate site lighting The second concerns the importance of railway organisations ensuring that guidance material relating to superseded standards is removed from resource libraries when new standards are issued Following a passenger train striking redundant rail on the track in 2018 RAIB issued Urgent Safety Advice to Network Rail regarding safety of the line after engineering work RAIB has examined a number of further accidents caused by objects including temporary road-rail access points and a trolley being left on the track after the completion of maintenance work These accidents caused damage to the railway infrastructure the trains involved and resulted in temporary closures to the affected lines This most recent accident at Walton-on-Thames resulted in a passenger train derailing at speed the train could easily have deviated from the line of the track and struck other trains or objects Maintenance work is often carried out at night which makes ensuring the line is subsequently safe for the passage of trains particularly challenging this accident happened because that risk was not effectively managed should serve as a stark reminder of the importance of effectively managing the risk of objects being left on the track after overnight maintenance The sole purpose of RAIB investigations is to prevent future accidents and incidents and improve railway safety While our investigations are completely independent of the railway industry we do maintain close liaison with railway companies and if we discover matters that may affect the safety of the railway we make sure that information about them is circulated to the right people as soon as possible and certainly long before publication of our final report Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details Passengers with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage children or bicycles can now benefit from step-free access at Walton-on-Thames station after Network Rail completed accessibility upgrades This £6m programme of work began in September 2022 and has included a range of improvements including a new bridge plus the widening of platform one and new CCTV cameras to provide extra security These improvements were formally opened at a special event at the station on 30 August with Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director Mark Goodall South Western Railway’s Projects and Change Director These improvements have been funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme accessible route from the station entrance to the platforms This generally includes providing lifts or ramps as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route Walton-on-Thames follows Isleworth station in becoming the latest step free station on Network Rail’s Wessex route with more accessibility upgrades expected to be completed this year at four more stations - Stoneleigh Walton-on-Thames first opened in 1838 and in 2022/23 saw 2.035million passengers use the station* The station sits on the southern boundary of Walton and on the northern boundary of Hersham said: “We are delighted to add Walton-on-Thames to the growing list of step free stations “It’s critical we make the railway as accessible as possible as we continue to welcome back and encourage more people to use the railway as their main choice of sustainable travel Improving the ease and accessibility of our stations plays an important role in supporting this ambition “I’d like to thank passengers and the nearby local community for their patience while we completed these important upgrades and I look forward to welcoming them to this greatly improved and accessible station.” Projects and Change Director at South Western Railway for the first time since the station opened in 1838 customers will benefit from step-free access at Walton-on-Thames.“As we have seen at other stations across our network that have benefited from Access for All schemes these new footbridges and lifts will make a big difference to our customers and the local community and we look forward to similar projects finishing at Stoneleigh said: "This is a fantastic addition to Walton on Thames and will be of huge benefit to all those who live and work here and use the train Improving our stations and accessibility comes up frequently among my constituents and has been a priority for me since taking office.  I have already met with Network Rail and South Western Railway about these issues since being elected on July 4th and I am looking forward to working with them for further improvements throughout the constituency I'm delighted that Walton-on-Thames railway station now has step free access and know that this will give many more people the confidence to travel independently on the train whilst reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions locally.” Rail Framework Director at Octavius Infrastructure said: “Octavius is proud to have completed the Walton on Thames Access for All (AfA) project alongside Network Rail This project has made Walton on Thames station more accessible and user-friendly significantly benefiting the community with step-free access and improved passenger convenience rethinking conventional construction methods and incorporating valuable lessons learned over the years Our team maximised efficiencies in the design Key successes include a roofless bridge with provisions for future expansion and an upgraded power supply “A standout achievement was installing the main superstructure over a weekend to minimise disruption to local neighbours using a mobile crane for the steel footbridge and pre-clad lift shafts This was a great success and required meticulous planning with local authorities “As a prominent transport solutions provider committed to Bringing People Together Octavius is honoured to have contributed to this vision at Walton on Thames.” Elmbridge Borough Council said: “As a council we have a key enabling role to play in building a more equal borough and as such are happy to support the accessibility increase at Walton-on-Thames train station Diversity and Inclusion Strategy we have outlined our aspirations and commitment towards reducing inequality throughout all our communities across Elmbridge and it’s great that Network Rail share this commitment.” *According to Office of Rail and Road data for the 2022-2023 period to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 11:32 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Since the Development Brief for Elm Grove was approved in April we have been discussing with the local NHS team Surrey County Council and the onsite tenants their requirements for any future proposals to the site The local NHS and it's partners remain committed to exploring the potential to offer more joined-up health care and wellbeing services from the Elm Grove site through a neighbourhood hub These hubs are a unique opportunity to support communities and reduce health inequalities by considering the many factors - social economic and environmental - that influence someone’s potential to thrive A broad mix of professionals from across the healthcare voluntary and community sectors could work from these locations to share expertise and focus efforts on preventative support and cohesive care For the current users of the Elm Grove site such as Walton-on-Thames Bowls Club and the Elmbridge Eco Hub we continue to work with them to discuss their preferences as part of any future plans it takes time to ensure all of the moving parts have been recorded and assessed and we expect this work to continue for another few months On 18 April 2024 the Development Brief for Elm Grove was approved by Council We will have further information on this project in the months ahead Following early engagement with the Walton community the updated Elm Grove Development Brief has been recommended to Council in April We have a Vision for a sustainable and thriving Elmbridge and this Development Brief speaks to that sense of supporting communities to thrive.  The Elm Grove site has been identified in the draft Elmbridge Local Plan as an area of potential residential development in the 6 -10 years’ timeline an approach by the local NHS has provided us with the possibility of looking at alternative opportunities we want to be able to set the framework for and shape We are determined that the Development Brief re-enforces the value of the recreation ground and aims to improve it and that it sets out our commitment to provide a secure future for the nursery Walton-on-Thames Bowling Club and The Elmbridge Eco-Hub.  Walton Montessori nursery will remain on site and we have been talking with both Walton-on-Thames Bowling Club and The Elmbridge Eco-Hub about future locations We will continue these positive discussions appreciating their importance to the local community and to Elmbridge.  We are also having ongoing discussions with Surrey County Council A Development Brief is a planning document which sets out parameters to guide future development including how any future scheme will be required to meet national and local planning policies and guidance If the Development Brief is agreed by March Cabinet and April Council it will be published on our website and used as a material planning consideration in the determination of any planning applications for the site.  It is also worth reiterating that any future planning applications for this site would still have to go through the full planning application process including local community consultation We are grateful to all those who took part in the Elm Grove development brief consultation and we look forward to future collaboration in shaping Elm Grove Councillor Robin StephensPortfolio Holder for Planning The next step is for us is to collate all the comments and feed them into the draft Development Brief for Elm Grove with a Consultation Statement setting out how we used the information to make any changes.  The Consultation Statement will be available online in early April once the Council formally adopts the Development Brief Elmbridge Cabinet agreed a draft Development Brief for the Elm Grove site in Walton-on-Thames which will allow for early engagement with the Walton community and allow us to listen to how they would like to shape the future of Elm Grove We have a Vision for a sustainable and thriving Elmbridge and this draft Development Brief speaks to that sense of supporting communities to thrive If we start with what it’s not – it is not a planning application This is important to know as we are asking the residents and businesses of Walton to help shape future development on this site before any decisions are made Most of all it all allows for early community engagement asking the community to help shape future development on a site it is not just Elm Grove Recreation Ground You will see the draft Development Brief includes a wide area which currently houses a nursery the Youth Centre and the recreation ground This site has been identified in the draft Elmbridge Local Plan as an area of potential residential development in the 6 -10 years timeline an approach by the local NHS has provided us with the possibility of looking at alternative opportunities for the site and bringing those plans forward The local NHS and it partners are committed to exploring the potential to offer more joined-up health Some people may hear this news and be concerned that the current users of the Elm Grove site and the recreation ground will be negatively impacted or forced out by any future development We want to provide reassurance that this will not be the case The recreation ground at Elmgrove is a valuable green space and recreation ground in Elmbridge and the draft Development Brief supports that There are absolutely no plans for development on the recreation ground The aim is to reconfigure and enhance the recreation ground more trees to help alleviate flooding on site (which will also support an improved football pitch and pavilion) and integrate the bowls club into the recreation ground with a new bowling green Walton-on-Thames Bowling Club has been located at Elm Grove for 100 years and it will continue to be part of this site We are working closely with the club to ensure they have the facilities they need as part of any redevelopment The Elmbridge Eco-Hub is a much loved and valuable community group on the Elm Grove site We have supported the team behind the Hub for the last few years and we will continue to do as part of any redevelopment We have been speaking with the Hub about their long-term plans (the current location was always temporary) and we will ensure they find their forever home either on site or close by The Youth Centre is included in the site boundary for the Development Brief We are having ongoing discussions with Surrey County Council Walton Montessori nursery will remain in its current location We are working with them on repairs and internal improvements to their Grade II listed building as well as reconfiguring their garden to make the best use of space As you can see from the draft Development Brief the bowls club are all protected with in the core objectives of the document How can I help shape the future of Elm Grove From 5 December 2023 at 5pm to 29 January 2024 an online survey will be available to gather your comments We will also host some face-to-face sessions to allow you to find out more about the development and ask any questions What would the potential scheme for the Elm Grove site look like We are too early in the process to determine what the site could look like and we want your views on how it is shaped any development would be in keeping with the local area Any future development application would also have to provide documented evidence to ensure parking is encouraging the local community to engage with development brief consultation: “The Walton-on-Thames community has the opportunity to help shape the future of the Elm Grove site You can tell us what matters most to you on this site and to ensure its value to the community is strengthened through this Development Brief process “Please take the opportunity to review the details on our website and to drop-in into one of our face-to-face sessions during the course of the consultation period.” The November Cabinet agenda. Get ready for an exciting spring season of the Royston Pike lectures at Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre Dive into fascinating topics like Regency fashion “The Royston Pike lectures offer fantastic value and a chance to hear from passionate experts Don’t miss out on these engaging and informative evenings!” For more details, visit the Royston Pike Lecture Series web page, email arts@elmbridge.gov.uk Walton Community Garden was re-opened officially by Lisa Townsend the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey councillors from Walton wards and local community groups attended Walton was one of three Surrey towns to be allocated a combined total of almost £1million last year as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund which was secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Elmbridge Borough Council and other key partners Redhill and Guildford also benefitted from the grant the funding is being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces after drugs vandalism and littering were identified as particular concerns for residents Additional CCTV has been installed in the town and a targeted youth outreach programme is under way The fund has also paid for improvements to the community garden vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area Parking and Local Economy on Elmbridge Borough Council said “It has been wonderful to be part of the re-opening celebration and to meet residents that will enjoy this garden It is important for the local community to have a safe and peaceful space to meet and this garden will provide that space.”  Surrey County Council and Elmbridge Borough Council provided engaging activities including pebble painting bracelet making and tennis for St Johns residents to join The decorated pebbles took pride of place in the community garden for all to admire St Johns residents also enjoyed complimentary pizza from The Dough Shack.  Local community services including the church Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue attended with firefighters giving tours of their fire engine to visitors of all ages The Commissioner said: “It was a real joy to join the celebrations at the community garden The work that has been carried out in Walton-on-Thames so far is a fantastic example of the difference properly-directed funding can make to our communities.” The community garden will remain open for all residents to pot Outside Walton Mart, St Johns DriveWalton-on-Thames KT12 3NH The Inspiration for Pub Success Since 1794 11-Feb-2025 Last updated on 11-Feb-2025 at 08:00 GMT This Urban Village Pubs site has a bit of everything going on in a commuter town and can rightly be home to young revellers craft beer aficionados and even movie buffs general manager Ned Clarke tells The Morning Advertiser all about the Walton Village pub The pub sits on a bustling high street in the commuter town of Walton-on-Thames in Surrey It is surrounded on all sides by fast food and casual dining sites plus estate agents The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)From the outside it’s got a blend of “hey that looks like a cosy place” and “let go here on a Friday night as they may play the occasional noughties house banger” We don’t have a garden (yet?) but have some cosy tables and chairs outside we can fling open the bi-fold doors and the whole front of the pub opens up Speaking of the windows - I am still getting over the fact that we recently lost the local Christmas window painting competition Having won (as a company) the Community Pub Operator of the Year at The Publican Awards 2023 then the local CAMRA Pub of the Year award we had our hearts set on the window competition we have cosy separatable room at the back called The Village Hall which is 100% free for the community to book as use as they want (within reason ping pong tournaments and dinner parties in there Pub name: The Walton VillageAddress: 29-31 High St, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 1DGGeneral manager: Ned ClarkePubco: Urban Village PubsWebsite: https://thewaltonvillage.com/ In the middle of the site is The Dog Pub. This area has free water, biscuits, bedding and toys for our canine friends. Underneath the dog pub is the subwoofer for the pub’s sound system. Nobody has quite figured out how funny this is yet, though. We try not to take ourselves too seriously. Pubs should be a bit funny and silly. We have a faux living wall with a neon sign stating: “Surrey not Sorry”, which kind of sums it up. We celebrate sports but certainly not in a ‘sports bar’ way – not that there is anything wrong with that, it’s just not quite our tempo. We show major events on most screens and reserve commentary for really big games. We have HD TVs that are viewable from most seats. When we’re not showing sports, we showcase local photography on the screens so they don’t form a black hole on the walls. I took eight years off being a landlord to be head of learning and development for a certain large canine-related UK craft brewery. Coming back into the GM fold was amazing, fun, humbling, brutal and an incredible adventure. I’m a big old beer nerd and have been since cutting my teeth on the Bristol Real Ale scene in the noughties. I’m also a big fan of feeding and watering people – which is lucky because I run a pub. The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs - GM Ned Clarke (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)Managing the Walton Village and helping develop its team is the absolute highlight of my career. I’m still very much involved in the L&D side of things and three days a week help the wider company with training compliance, culture, comms, talent and succession planning. In order for this to be possible my amazing deputy GM Stan Luker mans the oars back at the pub. In my spare time, I am chairman of the local business improvement district group, run the local PubWatch and spend time on my allotment with my wonderful fiancé Julie and our little doggy Ralph. As with most Urban Village pubs, we have a broad age range of customers aged between 18 and 80. Our pubs champion inclusivity and community. There really is a something for everyone vibe. On a Friday night at 8pm, you will see families with doggies and kids having dinner, young hipsters drinking craft beer, couples enjoying wine, parties in the back rooms and locals dotted around the pub throughout. The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)We pay particular attention to making families, kids and dogs feel really welcomed at the pub. The whole company is extraordinary in its support of the local community and that describes our trade better than anything else. It’s that one pub in town every knows exactly what they are going to get: warmth, safety, friendliness, tolerance, inclusivity and cheer. It can get a bit spicy on Friday nights from 10pm though as the younger crowd come out in their droves the take advantage of our house cocktails deal and listen to those noughties bangers I mentioned. We are a very tight team and act as one with most front-of-house team being cross-trained to work in the kitchen and vice-versa. We house 17 human workers and one small dog (the aforementioned Ralph) who occasionally helps clear chips from under tables. The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)The management structure is GM (myself), deputy GM (Stan), assistant manager (Tania), head chef (Callum) and three supervisors (James, Fanni and Katie). I’ve always believed in having about half my team in management positions (for teams under 20 in size) because it encourages personal growth and responsibility among young people. The leadership meet every Monday morning at 8am to discuss the previous week’s business and computer games over a coffee… mainly computer games. Building the team here into a stable unit took a heap of work but over the past year or so, we have really come into our element. It is a rare thing to feel so unified and comfortable with your coworkers and it feels amazing, like we are all pulling in the same direction. We have a good range of wines, softs and spirits for a local business but I guess it is our beer range and cocktails that we are famous for. We have a heap of big brands but also have six ever-rotating craft beers on the craft beer wall on the back bar. A good proportion of our customers commute to London and love coming home to London-style hipster beer at Surrey prices. Our premium cocktails also fly out. They are no-frills easy peasy and, at the time of writing this, all under a tenner. Nothing is ‘cheap’ these days but I believe our prices are pretty chill for inside the M25. Our pizzas are all made fresh from our open kitchen. Kids often line up to watch the chefs flipping pizzas from the railing by table 25. The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)The town has gone absolutely bonkers for our buttermilk fried chicken so we’ve had to expand the menu to keep everyone happy. Our chefs enjoy working in an open kitchen and have become accustomed to very busy services. We trade from 10am to 9pm every day in that kitchen so it takes quite the beating. We treat our pizza oven and Rational oven like they are sports cars. I mean, they cost about the same… On Mondays, we turn the back room into a cinema by curtaining it off. We have a licence to show movies for free and the locals love it. We even offer popcorn. We do themed movie nights every month. January was The Little Mermaid when we were doing free face painting for the kids, a bubble machine and a deal on fish burgers. On Thursdays, we have a walloping great pub quiz hosted by this amazing dude called Duncan who looks like an ageing Ibiza DJ. It’s really something and gets booked up months in advance. We also have a hot wings competition where people have to beat the fastest time to eat 10 Carolina Reaper slathered wings. The sauce we use is absolutely brutal and will put most hotheads to the test. Twice a year we have beer, wine, whisky and cheese festivals with guided tastings run by myself. My former globetrotting career as a certified beer nerd has put me in good stead to sit with large groups and rant about food and drinks pairings. We put bunting throughout the pub, work with local drinks producers and a brilliant local cheesemonger called Green & Lovely. The Walton Village - Urban Village Pubs (Credit: Urban Village Pubs)We will need to be as nimble and creative as ever to keep people interested this year – our toughest challenge yet. Specifically, we are looking into improving our games offer with interactive darts, arcade games and a range of table-top games. We need to be really smart about deploying this idea because it will take away some tables so there will need to be a very strong marketing plan in place to match this. We’re going to grow and grow our festivals, in particular, getting the tastings pre-booked and making sure that we are expanding the offer to bring even more people in. We are going to continue to develop our hot wings nights and competitions, making food as fun and engaging as we possibly can. We are going to keep pushing our guest and craft beers, helping the good people of Walton explore the world of beer from their doorstep. We’d like to expand our cocktails offering and start hosting more tasting events. We’re also keen to launch a dog menu for the hounds. On the team front, we are planning on putting a few of our team through hospitality apprenticeships… …oh, and we WILL win that window decoration competition. Admiral expects ‘further shift’ towards L&T, trade ahead of forecasts03-Feb-2025By Gary LloydAdmiral Taverns has believes there will be a “further structural shift” towards its leased and tenanted pubs after announcing trade is ahead of expectations. Star reimburses tenant for arbitration costs after PCA intervention31-Jan-2025By Rebecca WellerStar Pubs has reimbursed a tenant £5,832 for costs the operator was ordered to pay in arbitration after intervention by the pubs code adjudicator (PCA). The role of pubs through sports stars’ eyes 31-Jan-2025By Gary LloydAs the UEFA Champions League football tournament reaches the end of the group stage, three sports stars talk to The Morning Advertiser about their love for the sport. Quench your Thirst with Beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union We are keen to hear about your experiences of using the Walton-on-Thames 30-minute free parking in council-run car parks A 30-minute free parking pilot has been running in our Walton-on-Thames car parks since 1 September 2023.  We would like to hear from visitors to the town so that we can understand how the pilot has affected car park usage.  The short survey is anonymous and takes around 5 minutes to complete.   Have your say on the Walton-on-Thames 30-minute free parking pilot The survey is open now and runs until 9 August 2024.   Join Elmbridge Borough Council’s WhatsApp  playing a gig out of town in front of an audience that for the most part had never seen him before a very different crowd from his Pheasantry regulars In a long two-hour-plus set at the picturesque Riverhouse Barn at Walton-on-Thames next door to The Swan where American composer Jerome Kern and proprietor’s daughter Eva met showed tremendous stamina to go with his unrivalled knowledge of the Great American Songbook The Kern connection goes back to 1909 when the boat trip down the Thames he was taking with some friends stopped off at The Swan for some liquid refreshment A year later he and Eva wed and Kern would usually stay at The Swan when in England Ross celebrated the Kern link with a stunning piano medley from Show Boat It wasn’t the only piano medley in a packed programme In the second half came a virtuoso run-through of Edith Piaf’s biggest hits kicking off with a belting ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’ and sharing with the audience the little titbit that great friends Porter and Coward shared the same boyfriend for a short time Coward’s ‘Don’t Put Your Daughter on the Stage and Eddie Cantor’s ‘Hungry Women’ were both delivered with panache the other with a lovely punchline about where the stuff for face fillers come from – “I’ve got you under my skin!” the infinite sadness of ‘Old Friend’ – written by Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Ford for an otherwise forgettable 1998 musical I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road Ross is teacher as well as performer and clearly loved showing a new audience what he has spent a lifetime mastering He had a ball with Irving Berlin’s ‘I Love a Piano’ and you could see how much he relished playing Riverhouse Barn’s gorgeous piano A singer-songwriter friend Andrew Brewis who lives in Walton seeing Ross was coming over to do a two-night residency at The Pheasantry in Chelsea suggested organising an extra date with this happy outcome Although not the same programme as Ross’ London show Fred Astaire and Friends the Walton set featured many of the same elements The good folk of Walton-on-Thames certainly know who Steve Ross is now – and they loved it , Christmas magic has arrived at St Johns Community Garden in Walton has been working in partnership with PA Housing and the Police Crime Commissioner and the festive decorations have been provided through the Safer Streets fund.  St John’s Community Garden underwent improvements including new flowerbeds vegetable patches and a bug hotel to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity in the area.  The community garden remains open for all residents to pot Community Garden Location:Outside Walton Mart, St Johns DriveWalton-on-ThamesKT12 3NH Come along to our free Walton Community Garden official opening on 20 August The community garden on the St Johns estate has benefited from Safer Streets funding which was obtained by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Join us as we officially open the refurbished Walton Community Garden We will be celebrating by offering free food Community gardens are beneficial as they can help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour secluded space for residents to meet and improve mental health by offering the opportunity to learn new skills and meet others Outside Walton MartSt Johns DriveWalton-on-ThamesKT12 3NH The most wonderful time of the year is on the way there is always so much happening in Elmbridge and we’re here to provide you with a handy guide.  Due to high winds and rain some of these events have been impacted Please find the update on the relevant Facebook pages Christmas is always a truly magical time in Elmbridge; with a variety of events on offer for all the family Walton Festival of Light 2024 will include a Christmas market performances from local schools and community groups and the light procession leading to the ‘Town Tree’ switch on A full schedule of live music including some very special stars Both on the main stage and dotted around the village.  who starred as Elsa in the West End's 'Frozen' musical Santa's Grotto like you've never seen before - the big man himself will be setting up in the coolest location on our high street Thursday 28 November from 5pm join the fun for music If you would like us to give your Christmas event a shout out on social media, please tag @elmbridgebc on Instagram Love Sustainable Elmbridge at Christmas  Our commitment to a Sustainable Elmbridge is stronger than ever at Christmas and we always recommend planning for a sustainable Christmas where possible This may involve choosing recyclable wrapping paper and cards or shopping at eco-friendly refill stores or for second-hand items at charity shops We also encourage our residents to shop local to embrace our small businesses and avoid driving long distances that can produce harmful emissions.  We suggest taking advantage of the below local Christmas markets: Christmas lights switch on week commencing 25 November We will begin the Christmas season with the switching on of the lights across Elmbridge high streets in East Molesey As sustainability is embedded within all we do the Christmas lights are LED and are on set timers to only be on from 6am to 9am and then from dusk until midnight each day Love is the Sweetest Thing: A Valentine’s Day Concert was performed by Andrew D Brewis at the Riverhouse Barn The sweetest thing for a full Valentine’s Day house at Walton’s oak-beamed Riverhouse Barn on the banks of the Thames was a 90-minute musical love-in with the Surrey town’s own cabaret ace Andrew Brewis taking his audience through great songwriters and great shows along with a couple of his own which did not in the least look out of place Walton-on-Thames boasts two mega showbiz connections – Julie Andrews was born there 89 years ago and in 1910 visiting American composer Jerome Kern fell in love with the landlord’s daughter at the Swan when stepping off the boat for refreshment and married her – so Brewis More will know him after this as the show was streamed to Germany and the USA There were tear-jerking ballads and hilarious comic songs in a perfect mix that made the time fly by Brewis played them all beautifully on the very piano he helped pay for by giving a concert at the Barn in years gone by He was greatly helped by having Robert Rickenberg accompany him so sympathetically on double bass Brewis is wise enough to know not to ask his singing voice to visit places it doesn’t want to go to or to launch into patter he’s not comfortable with relying on his piano wizardry to take centre stage and what a feast he served up The highspot for many was ‘Joyce the Librarian’ with a laugh in every line and brilliantly written by the late Peter Skellern and Richard Stilgoe It’s the story of nerdy Joyce finally getting a book borrower to take her to bed Her George predictably scarpers: “Some other librarian to woo / Now there’s a sob in her voice / As both book and Joyce / Are a fortnight overdue” Skellern was also responsible for ‘Still Magic’ showing his romantic side and so fitting for Valentine’s He deserves someone with tip-top timing to do him full justice and in Brewis Of course there were the old faithfuls too – ‘A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square’ a jazzy ‘Lady Be Good’ and that irresistible Fats Waller singalong ‘I’m Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter’ They were what the audience knew best and all were well received especially the standoutI ‘I Won’t Send Roses’ the Jerry Herman heartbreaker from Mack & Mabel There were more funny songs too – one about a tattooist a saucy one about a busy phone line and a foodie one about a guy who doesn’t want potatoes or tomatoes but “frim fram sauce with the Ausen fay Nat King Cole might have known what he was singing about If his wonderful ‘My Friend’ didn’t get you written wistfully well before he finally got the daughter he had long dreamed of Brewis revealed that when Skellern visited his school and young Andrew said “I want to write songs like yours” back came the reply: “Keep practising!” Several decades on Brewis confessed: “I still am.” From the evidence of this blissful hour and a half “We are delighted to work in partnership with Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre and R C Sherriff Trust to support our local artists The Robert Philips Gallery is the perfect backdrop for these fabulous artworks This is a great opportunity for artists to gain visibility and appreciation from a wide audience ensuring their work gets the recognition it deserves” Curator of the exhibition at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre added “We are thrilled to host Elmbridge Moving Art exhibition once again at the Robert Phillips Gallery this autumn It is a pleasure to showcase such a diverse collection of works that use so many different various media These pieces truly reflect the exceptional talent present in our local community We invite you to visit the gallery this and experience these remarkable works for yourself Listen to interviews with some of participating artists: The ongoing autumn and winter crackdown on unregistered vessels in the Thames has now resulted in 40 boaters having to pay a combined total of over £55,000 for their offences Environment Agency enforcement officers discovered the unregistered boats during spot checks at Penton Hook Marina in Surrey This latest inspection showed unacceptably high levels of registration evasion with a quarter of the boats in the marina - around 125 vessels - failing to have been registered Every boat owner was traced and given ample warning and opportunity to register their boats correctly Staines magistrates’ court was told in the most recent round of cases that 26 owners had skipped the annual registration fee determined by the length and width of the boat The highest charges were issued to Jess Rugeris for their boat Le Petit II – more than £3,371 including fines environment manager at the Environment Agency in Surrey If you have an unregistered boat on the Thames you should know that our enforcement teams remain out all winter patrolling the river checking valid registrations and taking action against those who cheat their fellow boaters this Christmas we urge all Thames boaters to ensure they register their vessels ahead of the new year deadline As our recent prosecutions clearly demonstrate we will have no hesitation in bringing further offenders to court who avoid their obligations and responsibilities to lawful river users Renewal invitation letters for 2025 registrations on the River Thames were sent in November to everyone that registered their boat this year and owners are encouraged to register early to ensure their boats are compliant by 1 January when the new season starts The Environment Agency’s approach to non-registration on the Thames has changed – boat owners are given ample opportunity to register their boat even if the boat owner subsequently pays their registration fee boat registration fees allow the Environment Agency to manage and maintain more than 600 miles of inland waterways across England keeping them open and safe for thousands of boaters to enjoy must register their boats annually with the Environment Agency for use on the non-tidal River Thames Boat registration on the Thames starts on 1 January every year Any boats found on the water after that date In mid-September 2024 during a river wide census Environment Agency officers recorded the locations of 10,890 boats on the river All cases were heard at Staines magistrates’ court on 26 November and 3 December 2024 Steven McClean of Serenity XI of Vicarage Road Teddington pleaded not guilty and elected trial Journalists only: 0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk Corrected the amount of money the boaters needed to pay The South Western Railway train was carrying around 100 passengers at the time of the collision in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey News | Transport Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice A passenger train derailed at 85mph after workers left pieces of a track in a “hazardous” position, an accident report has found The incident took place at around 5.40am on March 4 last year, as a South Western Railway train was approaching Walton-on-Thames station Travelling at around 85mph, the train collided with a discarded piece of track, causing the front carriage to derail, according to a report from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) It managed to stay upright and came to a standstill around 500 metres after the collision The train was carrying approximately 100 passengers at the time but the train and several hundred metres of rail infrastructure was damaged the piece of track had been left by a maintenance team who had completed work in the area over the previous weekend Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said the accident happened because the “risk was not effectively managed” The RAIB report stated that checks conducted after the completion of the work failed to identify that a section of the rail was in a “hazardous” position The reason for this was because no person in charge had supervised the work and a track engineer had “not been effectively briefed as to what work had been undertaken before they inspected the track.” Chief Inspector Hall added: “This most recent accident at Walton-on-Thames resulted in a passenger train derailing at speed “Although no one was hurt on this occasion “Maintenance work is often carried out at night which makes ensuring the line is subsequently safe for the passage of trains particularly challenging Off the rails: Trespasser caused 1,000 trains to be cancelled or delayed hit by train on way to school in south London Couple drowned in flooding caused by sewer network Give your new year a boost with these trusted brands and services should serve as a stark reminder of the importance of effectively managing the risk of objects being left on the track after overnight maintenance.” Following the investigation, the RAIB advised rail engineering company Colas Rail to reassess its procedures for collecting redundant materials from the tracks, while Network Rail has been instructed to review its coordination protocols for tasks in "complex” work sites The incident initially closed four tracks between Woking and Surbiton before disruption spread across the South Western Railway (SWR) network for 24 hours director of safety and engineering at Network Rail said: “Safety is always our first consideration The most recent independent international data shows that Britain has the safest railway in the world and during the last year we have achieved the railway’s lowest ever workforce accident rate “However incidents such as the derailment at Walton-on-Thames clearly show us that there is no room for complacency we have introduced strict new protocols to make sure this can’t happen again “We will be reviewing the RAIB’s recommendations in detail and will continue to do all to make our railways the safest they can be.” Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet — Rihanna worst and wackiest looks on the red carpet Like most websites, this one uses cookies. Click here to find out more. Important notice for supply chain partners. More information Hopescourt School pupils mark major construction milestone at new Walton-on-Thames site Willmott Dixon’s construction of Surrey County Council’s flagship Net Zero Carbon Special Free School reached a major milestone in its construction Pupils and staff from Hopescourt School marked the topping out stage by signing some steel frames that will become part of their new school and Willmott Dixon in celebrating progress so far “I am so happy that I was nominated to go see the new site This has made me realise how lucky I am to have been given the opportunities to flourish.” Hopescourt School pupils signing the steel beams that will form part of their new school building Hopescourt school in Walton-on-Thames is Surrey’s first ‘Net Zero Carbon in Operation’ (NZiO) specialist free school It is key to the delivery of Surrey’s Inclusion and Additional Needs Partnership Strategy 2023-2026 aiming to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with additional needs and disabilities in Surrey ensuring they get the best possible education closer to home It will cater for up to 200 autistic pupils and pupils with communication and interaction needs and other enriching activities alongside a more traditional curriculum designed to enhance opportunities and inclusion for students and provide them with essential knowledge and skills for success in adulthood Willmott Dixon was procured to build the school via the Southern Construction Framework Senior building manager James Greenwood from Willmott Dixon discussing the new school building with pupils and headteacher Alex Burrows (left) The new school is part of Surrey’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Capital Programme and will offer much-needed specialist school places currently at a temporary site in West Molesey look forward to the new school opening in spring 2026 energy efficient property that is a great place to work Net zero carbon in operation specialist school for 200 autistic pupils aged 4-19 years we can create energy efficient learning environments fit for the future We deliver SEND schools for all age groups creating a world class learning environment Will stimulate further collaboration and partnerships between university Latest project in Sutton follows work on the high street and award winning Passivhaus schools Latest project in Oldham continues track-record for public realm green space for people to enjoy nature have been appointed to drive Dover's regeneration plans to create a vibrant Focus on recycling and circular economy continues to pay dividends Second topping out for a police station in a week Community partners from around Elmbridge gathered at George Froude Open Space in Walton-on-Thames recently to recognise the work undertaken to improve the park’s community impact and safety local ward Councillors and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service all came together to hear about the recent investments in the park and increased signage has brought a sense of community and reassurance to this much-used green space.  This investment was made possible through Safer Streets funding secured by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey and partners with over with £270,000 going towards improvements to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Walton-on-Thames Parking and Local Economy is proud of the collaborative effort that has made George Froude Open Space a more welcoming place for all: we want to ensure that all our residents can access our parks and green spaces safely It was great to see George Froude Park looking so well and the play equipment being enjoyed the local community will also be able to enjoy the community garden at the St John’s estate as it has been tidied up and made ready for local groups to enjoy the benefits of growing vegetables Lisa Townsend said: “I am delighted that our Office has played a key part in making the improvements to these local spaces possible alongside the installation of new CCTV cameras across the town that will boost community safety.  I regularly hear from residents who tell me they want to see anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime being tackled I am proud that this work by local partners will have a lasting impact where they live.” Surrey County Council has enlisted Willmott Dixon for a £23m project to build a new home for Hopescourt School in Walton-on-Thames This will be the country’s flagship Net Zero Carbon Special Free School when complete in Spring 2026 offering specialist school places for 200 autistic pupils aged 4-19 years Hopescourt School opened on a temporary site in West Molesey in September this year after two years of planning and development in a partnership between Surrey County Council and Bourne Education Trust with Freemantles School in Woking and the Department for Education Regions Group Procured under the Southern Construction Framework Willmott Dixon is working with HNW Architects on the new school managing director at Willmott Dixon in the South said: “This new school represents a crucial investment in our community offering children with additional needs a dedicated environment where they can thrive.” March Cabinet: proposed extension to March 2027 Surrey Police and Elmbridge Borough Council the current Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for parts of Walton-on-Thames will be brought to Elmbridge Cabinet in March seeking agreement to extend the PSPO for an additional three years to March 2027 There is no doubt that quality of life is impacted by anti-social behaviour (ASB) PSPO’s allow councils and the Police to tackle ASB or activities which are negatively affecting a community as they impose certain conditions and restrictions on people using a regulated area and give the Police and council additional powers to deal with certain activities such as street drinking and dangerous or anti-social cycling The Walton-on-Thames Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place since April 2018 and the town has seen a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour - up to 2023 we saw a reduction of 30% In 2023 the PSPO was extended into North Walton for 12 months following further reports of ASB During the recent public consultation on the Walton PSPO residents expressed their support for the order and we are acting on their behalf to keep Elmbridge safe The Walton-on-Thames PSPO is due to expire A new PSPO would apply for 3 years from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 January - Consulting a new PSPO for Walton The Walton-on-Thames Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) has been in place since April 2018 and the town has seen a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour (ASB) - up to 2023 we saw a reduction of 30% This year also saw the PSPO extended into North Walton for 12 months following further reports of ASB The Walton-on-Thames PSPO is due to expire in March 2024 following its maximum 3-year term before it legally needs to be reviewed We would now like to consult with you on how to take it forward quality of life is impacted by anti-social behaviour PSPO’s intend to tackle ASB or activities which are negatively affecting a community and we need to consult on the PSPO to reflect changes in legislation and current behaviour in Walton-on-Thames as reported by many of our residents and businesses PSPO’s impose certain conditions and restrictions on people using a regulated area and give the police and local authority additional powers to deal with certain activities we will be engaging closely with the Walton BID (Business Improvement District) Surrey County Council and others on the PSPO We also have an online consultation form which is open from Tuesday 9 January at 9am and closes on Monday 19 February at 9am The proposed PSPO will remain focussed on substance misuse and vehicles such as bikes and scooters on the pavement In support of safer streets in Walton-on-Thames 5 mobile CCTV cameras are being installed in the town during the week of 27 May The cameras will be installed in the following locations: Financing for the cameras was secured as part of the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund by Elmbridge Borough Council working in partnership with Surrey Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey The total grant of £273,000 for Walton will also pay for youth outreach programmes and security measures in the Drewitts Court car park anti-graffiti and urine paint and improved lighting Improvements will also be made to the community garden at the St John’s estate The aim of the deployable cameras is not only to deter anti-social behaviour such as rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour but also to provide video evidence if needed for Surrey Police Surrey County Council and the Elmbridge Borough Council environmental enforcement team The installation of the cameras is also supported by local businesses Surrey Police and Surrey County Council and follows the recent extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for parts of Walton-on-Thames Parking and Local Economy is pleased to support this work: “We want our residents and visitors to not only feel safe in Elmbridge but to take pride in our towns Having these mobile cameras will act as a deterrent against street drinking Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Safer Streets is a fantastic initiative that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in Walton Since I was first elected as Surrey’s Commissioner I have spoken with thousands of residents and listened to their thoughts about policing in their communities I know that anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime are key issues for those who live in Walton and this funding allows us to tackle some of these issues head-on.” The other five people have been accounted for and three were taken to hospital for further checks The force believes the missing man may still be in the river Surrey Police said they were called at 8:50am on Friday to reports of a small boat capsizing at Sunbury Lock and remain at the scene with ambulance and fire services Andy Jenkins said: “This is a very distressing time for all involved and we continue to support our partners in the search for the missing man “Our enquiries to establish the exact circumstances of how the boat capsized remain underway but at this time we do not believe there to be any suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement." Surrey Police urged the public to avoid the area if possible Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.. Elmbridge has been working closely with its partners including Surrey Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to deliver projects to boost safety in Walton-on-Thames.  Walton was one of three communities in Surrey to receive funding that was secured by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office from the Government’s Safer Streets fund at the end of last year Elmbridge received £333,000 to spend on five interventions to address anti-social behaviour neighbourhood crime and violence against women and girls.  Elmbridge has extended the monitoring of the nine public space CCTV cameras in Walton-on-Thames to 24 hours a day seven days a week - an extra 12 hours of monitoring for the town.  The Council is also in the process of purchasing five re-deployable CCTV cameras including an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera for deployment around Walton-on-Thames These cameras will be installed in areas that are coming to the attention of the Council and Surrey Police for anti-social behaviour neighbourhood crime and concerns about violence against women and girls.  Works have also been progressing to improve the look and feel of Drewitts Court Car Park The car park’s lighting will shortly be upgraded speed humps reviewed and improvements to the stairwell undertaken which include urine repellent and anti-graffiti paints The car park will also benefit from our deployable CCTV for a period of time we hope to have the car park assessed for the Safer Parking Award and hope that the improvements and award will encourage more people to use it.  Partners are also focusing on deterring anti-social behaviour at George Froude Park and are considering proposals to reduce the number of entrances.  The grant was part of the fifth round of Safer Streets funding which has so far seen over £120m shared across England and Wales (over £2 million in Surrey) for projects to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and make areas safer for women and girls.   Council leader and Cabinet member for Policy and Transformation Bruce McDonald said he was really pleased with the project’s progress so far:   “Keeping residents safe and enhancing the feeling of safety is a key priority for the Elmbridge Community and Safety Partnership.   “Elmbridge is continuing to work with relevant partners to deliver youth and family support along with other aspects of the Safer Streets funding aims to make Walton-on-Thames safer for all.”  from our conversations with the community and general feedback that there are often areas where people don’t feel safe By securing this funding we can work with our partners and the community to bring about changes in the area by designing out opportunities for crime and ASB.”  Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Ensuring people feel safe is a key part of my Police and Crime Plan for Surrey At engagement meetings with Surrey Police this winter Elmbridge residents told us they want to see more being done to tackle anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood crime where they live.   I’m delighted that the money from Safer Streets is now being used by the Partnership to make tangible long term improvements that will enhance safety.”  Accident investigators have asked Colas Rail to review its working practices after a redundant section of track left behind by a maintenance team caused a passenger train to derail The train struck a section of redundant rail that had been left on the tracks on the approach to Walton-on- Thames station last March It was travelling at around 85 mph and the front coach derailed as the train came to a stop around 500 metres after hitting the obstruction The Rail Accident Investigation Branch found the redundant rail had inadvertently been left there by a team that had completed work in the area over the previous weekend The board has asked Colas Rail to review its processes related to collecting redundant material when working on or near the line Network Rail has also been asked to review the rules and standards relating to how tasks delivered in complex work sites are co‑ordinated and supervised Chief Inspector of Rail Accidents said: “Although no one was hurt on this occasion “Maintenance work is often carried out at night which makes ensuring the line is subsequently safe for the passage of trains particularly challenging should serve as a stark reminder of the importance of effectively managing the risk of objects being left on the track after overnight maintenance.” Network Rail has successfully installed the main bridge span and supports connecting the two platforms at Walton-on-Thames bringing the station closer to providing step-free access to both platforms The successful craning in of the main bridge span and supports follows the recent installation of the lifts and staircases Other work that is taking place to improve accessibility and safety at the station includes the widening of platform one to accommodate the lift as well as the installation of new CCTV cameras for added security Work to improve accessibility at Walton-on-Thames station began in October 2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2024 this £6m programme of work will make it easier for customers with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage children or bicycles to navigate their way around the station and provide step-free access to all of the station’s platforms This project is funded through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme which was launched in 2006 to address the issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers with mobility restraints (such as heavy luggage or pushchairs) when using railway stations in Great Britain The funding is used to create an obstacle free said: “We’re always trying to do more for our customers and we’re delighted to have reached this major milestone as part of the ‘Access for All scheme at Walton-on-Thames station which will provide step-free access to both platforms “I’d like to thank customers for their patience whilst we continue making these important improvements to improve accessibility at stations and I like forward to seeing the completion of this work early next year which will provide more comfortable journeys for customers.” commented: “It is fantastic to see this milestone reached as we get closer to complete step-free access at Walton-on-Thames station “We are committed to enhancing accessibility for customers across our network and Walton-on-Thames is just one of the SWR stations benefiting from successful ‘Access for All’ bids “I thank customers for their patience while these improvements are carried out and trust they will see the real difference these investments will make.” This item has been moved to the National Archives as RAIB has published its report describing this accident. See report 04/2025 travelling along the Up Fast line between Woking and London Waterloo struck a piece of redundant rail on a railway access point on the approach to Walton‑on‑Thames station The train was travelling at around 85 mph (137 km/h) when the collision occurred The train’s leading set of wheels derailed but the train remained upright and came to a stand around 500 metres beyond the point of collision as a result of the driver applying the emergency brake but the train and several hundred metres of railway infrastructure were damaged The train was the first one along the Up Fast line following engineering work that had taken place the previous weekend This work included recovering redundant rails Our investigation will seek to identify the sequence of events that led to the accident Our investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry or by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road including any recommendations to improve safety This report will be available on our website You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports The TimesRescuers were searching for a man in his sixties after a rowing boat capsized on the River Thames in Surrey on Friday Five people were brought to the river bank in Sunbury Lock near Wheatleys Eyot after the police were alerted to the incident at 8.50am Surrey police said that efforts were continuing to find the missing man we believe a man in his sixties may still be in the river His relatives have been informed and are being kept updated,” the force said An investigation into how the small boat capsized is underway said that she was travelling to Walton when she noticed a “huge commotion” at 8.30am on Friday Your guide to London's culture and transport news and events taking place across the city Published on 13th September 2023 by ianVisits in Transport News Work to add step-free access to Walton-on-Thames station on the edge of southwest London has reached a milestone with the installation of a new footbridge The station sits on a slightly raised embankment with four platforms although the central two platforms are no longer in general use The main entrance on the north side of the station is linked to the platforms via a narrow subway that runs under the railway There’s no step-free access between the platforms and there isn’t a convenient road crossing nearby that people could use to avoid the stairs down to the subway Network Rail is now installing a large footbridge with lifts that will link both of the active platforms They’ve now completed the installation of the main bridge span and supports connecting the two platforms following the recent installation of the lifts and staircases the new lifts will be 10-person capacity designs Other work that is taking place includes the widening of platform one to accommodate the lift as well as the installation of new CCTV cameras for added security Work to improve accessibility at Walton-on-Thames station began in October 2022 and is expected to be completed in early 2024 it’s a £6 million project and is being funded through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Access for All’ scheme Oma Megbele, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor “I’d like to thank customers for their patience whilst we continue making these important improvements to improve accessibility at stations and I look forward to seeing the completion of this work early next year which will provide more comfortable journeys for customers.” The subway will also remain open after the lifts on the platform are installed as the subway provides a convenient local link to get from either side of the station This website has been running now for over a decade, and while advertising revenue contributes to funding the website, it doesn't cover the costs. That is why I have set up a facility with DonorBox where you can contribute to the costs of the website and time invested in writing and research for the news articles It's very similar to the way The Guardian and many smaller websites are now seeking to generate an income in the face of rising costs and declining advertising Whether it's a one-off donation or a regular giver every additional support goes a long way to covering the running costs of this website and keeping you regularly topped up doses of Londony news and facts If you like what you read on here, then please support the website here I always recommend the ramp option as ramps do not break down is there provision to be able to connect a lift to the new footbridge on the central island platforms should they ever be reinstated for active use and the latest news published on ianVisits You can unsubscribe at any time from my weekly emails © ianVisits powered Dulwich to a 98-run victory over Walton on Thames in Division 1 of the AJ Sports Surrey Championship Dulwich were put into bat on a difficult pitch but James Schofield and Ahmed Khan saw off the threat of the Walton pace bowlers and the score advanced steadily with the assistance of a glut of wides and no balls Both batsmen had reached 21 out of a total of 60 when Schofield became the first wicket to fall after facing 54 balls Chris Purshouse joined Khan but was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury with a score of 72 and the pair took the score to 97-1 off 27 overs at lunch After the break conditions had become easier and both batsmen were able to take advantage They had taken their partnership to 104 off 20 overs when Khan was bowled for 70 He had faced 134 balls but had batted responsibly to stave off any threat of a collapse while conditions were at their most difficult and had set the stage for the assault to come Skipper Ollie Steele thus joined Wankhade with the score of 176-2 after 41 overs The pair added 101 for the third wicket in just 12.3 overs before the latter fell for 106 He hit six fours and eight sixes and took his aggregate for the season to 640 runs at an average of 64 Steele was now joined by newcomer Will Jenkins who smashed two more sixes in scoring 15 off six balls The score reached 301 off the last ball of the 55th over The skipper had also played aggressively in making 42 not out from only 38 balls Walton had 61 overs to score the runs or bat out time but the innings started in a frenzy when acting skipper Sam Gorvin took 22 runs off Harvey Booth’s second over with a slew of leg-side boundaries took the first wicket in his second over and followed up by dismissing Gorvin with the last ball of his third The third wicket pair were even more explosive and had reached 90 off just 9.3 overs when Ramzan took his third wicket Felix Watson-Smyth struck in the next over and the two spinners imposed some restraint to see Walton to tea at 115-4 after 15 overs Booth was recalled straight after the interval and his extra pace accounted for the next two wickets as Walton declined to 151-6 in the 23rd over With victory slipping out of reach keeper Jayden Clark now shepherded the tail in a search for batting points and took the next three wickets to reduce them to 197-9 The last wicket pair had gained the runs needed for a third point when Jenkins dismissed Clark for 43 Walton had been bowled out for 203 after just 37 overs Khan bowled a typical miserly spell of 3-24 off nine overs while Ramzan had 3-43 off ten and Booth bowled a second spell of 2-26 off six to finish with 2-50 off eight Next week they have a crucial fixture at home to Normandy who are just ten points behind in third place Dulwich won the first meeting between the sides Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" 20 April, 2021 By Essential maintenance is to be carried out at Thames Water’s Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) reservoir to protect London’s water supply as engineers reline the two tunnels that feed water into the reservoir from the River Thames and carry it from there to the nearby Walton and Hampton treatment works The relining will strengthen the tunnels and prevent any future leaks Engineers will enter the tunnels through access shafts that will be constructed above them One of the shafts will be within the boundary of the reservoir site meaning the road will be fully closed for two months from 26 April Work to drain down the reservoir started in mid-April and is expected to take until June The water will continue to go to the treatment works and on to customer taps to avoid any wastage Around 6m of water will be left in the bottom of the reservoir to support wildlife including nesting birds Solar panels that float on the surface and generate renewable energy to power the treatment works are to stay in place The reservoir is one of the largest in the region and ordinarily holds 19,623M.l of water By law reservoirs must be inspected at least every ten years and Thames Water is using the opportunity to carry out major work Thames Water project manager Rachel Whiteman said: “The QEII plays a really important role in the supply of top-quality drinking water for millions of people across Surrey and London so we have to make sure it’s safe and in good working order We’re carefully managing the rest of our reservoirs in London to keep taps flowing so customers won’t see any impact on their water supply.” Whiteman added: “We’re sorry for the disruption the road closure will cause We’ve worked with Surrey County Council to prepare a safe diversion route and urge road users to follow it rather than taking potentially dangerous shortcuts.” Want to read more? Subscribe to GE’s enewsletters and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn Tagged with: Derry City and Strabane District Council have tendered a £130,000 ground investigation contract for work at the Middle Creggan and Lower Creggan Reservoirs in Derry More than 80% of tunnelling work has been completed for the Sydney Metro West – a 24km long underground rail link in Sydney – after a recent tunnel boring machine (TBM) breakthrough Thames Water will hold a market engagement event in March for contractors interested in two major construction and design jobs on its proposed Abingdon reservoir United Living completed challenging microtunnelling work for a utility diversion to enable the construction of an HS2 viaduct in Birmingham Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion Did you know Elmbridge has two versions of the Repair Shop?  If you want to breathe new life into household items there are teams in Oxshott and Walton-on-Thames on hand with the skills to help for free Oxshott, Net Zero – Repair Café runs six times a year at Danes Hill School They also run a skill share at each session which might include helping with simple tech issues such as how to use What’s App or Word or simple sewing skills On other occasions a particular skill might be demonstrated.  Organisers also have a collection of used items for redistribution such as laptops and children’s clothing All dates and details for Oxshott Repair Café, Leatherhead Road, Oxshott, KT22 0JG are on its website You are advised to check the website before bringing anything for redistribution as it cannot store items if they are not collecting that item that month Walton-on-Thames Repair Café opens its doors to the public on the second Saturday morning of the month at Walton Centre for the Community Its team of over 20 volunteers are available to try and help repair a vast array of (portable) domestic items such as electric kettles luggage and more while its textile team are ‘dab hands’ at dealing with troublesome zips KT12 2PB also offers a ‘Craft and Chat’ space where you can take your projects (knitting for example) and either seek advice from others Pre-booking is needed for the Saturday cafe: email repaircafewot@gmail.com or call  07933 619818.  You can find out more about the International Repair Cafe movement