Citizens Speak – Views on Proposed Changes at Newlands Corner

Published on: 10 Jan, 2016
Updated on: 10 Jan, 2016

Newlands Corner on the Albury Estate. Surrey County Council has an access agreement with the Albury Estate.

Surrey County Council is proposing improvements at beauty spot Newlands Corner (click here to see the proposals). Phase 1 will include a Family Play Trail, but with plans to charge for car parking to help to fund the changes.

More than 7,000 people are reported to have signed a petition calling for a rethink on the parking fees that are due to go ahead this spring.

What do visitors to Newlands Corner think? Guildford Dragon NEWS reporters went to Newlands Corner on Sunday (January 10) to interview a snapshot selection of those who were at the beautiful attraction.

Andy and Nicky with their children Evan, Haydon and Saskia, from Guildford, had just walked from Tormead Road. Andy generally welcomed the improvements and said that “the kids would love the Family Play Trail”. He added that “£1 was not a lot of money to ask to park here”.  He said: “It should be left as untouched as possible but some improvements would be welcomed.” Nicky thought that “some cover from the rain would be good but nothing too intrusive”. She added that “home-made soup at the café would be lovely on a cold day like today”.

Terry Pickford, from Guildford, thought that the existing site was perfectly adequate. He said that he visited Newlands Corner a couple of times a month and added: “Surrey [County Council] are supposed to be encouraging people to walk more. Parking charges will stop people coming here.” He added: “It is a country area. Why should we have to pay for it? Some safety improvements to the entrance could be made, but it shouldn’t be spoilt.”

Bill and Claire Field, from Worplesdon, were at Newlands Corner with their dog Alfie. They visited about four or five times a year and were not aware of the proposals. They thought that the facilities were already good and intended to have a plate of chips after their walk. Claire stressed that “It was good to get children outside but the improvements must not spoil the area”. She added: “Newlands Corner should be kept natural and no trees should be taken down.” Bill thought that “it should be left alone”, but he noted that “there were not enough dog poo bins”.

Adrian Bevan had ridden from Twickenham on his Ural Wolf Russian motorbike, only one of about six in the country. He came to meet the other bikers who regularly met there. He thought that “the views were great and the burger café was excellent”. He thought that the existing facilities were generally ok. He also praised the information centre run by Surrey Wildlife Trust. He thought that “the toilets were a bit old and could do with some improving”. (Note that the toilets were out of action today).

Sam Neild from Guildford was at Newlands Corner with his family. He was not aware of the proposals and said that “the proposals were unnecessary”, and there was enough for the children to do in the area there now. “Adding parking charges would stop me coming here,” he said. He added that he liked Newlands Corner because it was simple but added with a smile that “maybe a bar would be good”.

David Taylor had walked to Newlands Corner from his home in Chessington. He intended to walk to Shoreham that day! He was happy with the parking charges as long as it all went on the facilities. David said: “I am happy with Newlands Corner as it is but it would be nice to have somewhere inside to sit on a cold day.”

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