Letter: Please Sign Newlands Corner Petition

Published on: 5 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 5 Nov, 2015

From Mary Bedforth

There is a petition to Surrey County Council:

“Surrey County Council has voted to impose parking charges at Newlands Corner, with even those there just for a quick cup of tea being forced to cough up. Meanwhile, the visitor centre and burger bar is to be replaced with a new visitor centre and café, at a cost of £400,000 – and it seems likely (though this is not publicly confirmed, yet!) that the family who run the burger bar, will be slung out to make way for a commercial concern.

“Please sign this petition if you want to keep Newlands Corner (the greatest viewpoint anywhere in the south of England, boasts this proud Surreyite!) free to access for all, unpretentious and busy! There’s a whole community up there, consisting of the burger bar staff, SWT rangers and a crowd of regulars – bikers, police, fire and ambulance services, classic car owners, walkers, horse-riders and those who just go for the food, drink and friendly chat. SCC’s move to monetise the site risks destroying this highly successful local amenity and destroying the livelihood of the people who run the busy burger bar. This is utterly unacceptable!”

“Keep Newlands Corner family-friendly and free to access!”

Those who agree might wish to sign.

https://www.change.org/p/surrey-county-council-keep-newlands-corner-family-friendly-and-free-to-access

Responses to Letter: Please Sign Newlands Corner Petition

Dave Middleton Reply

November 6, 2015 at 1:04 pm

Petition duly signed!

I fully agree with Mrs Bedforth on this. I think it’s outrageous that the County Council should do this. Leave Newlands Corner alone!
Jules Cranwell Reply

November 7, 2015 at 10:32 am

I regularly drive the Horsley Community bus with folks from local retirement homes to Newlands Corner for the views and ice cream, which is their treat of the week. Parking fees would make this unviable.

The countryside belongs to us all, not just those who can afford parking fees.
Dave Middleton Reply

November 7, 2015 at 4:46 pm

Petition now stands at 4,076 supporters. We’re almost at the magic 5,000!
Anita Hogben Reply

November 9, 2015 at 3:53 pm

I totally agree – leave Newlands Corner as it is, with the exception of the toilets which are very poor.

Perhaps new toilets could be provided, but to cover the cost of maintaining them on a regular basis a charge should be made to use them.
Peter Kindred Reply

November 9, 2015 at 6:08 pm

Why change something that provides such a lot of pleasure for so many people? Its current usage indicates how popular it is just as it is. It should be left alone.
Brian Stokes Reply

November 10, 2015 at 8:25 pm

Leave Newlands Corner alone. It is a country site enjoyed by walkers and families and it encourages people to get away from the locally congested towns and enjoy some time in the countryside.

Why continue this racket of trying to extract money from the local population at every opportunity? Surrey County Council have gone too far and you should recognise that it makes people angry at officialdom and their continuous pursuit of money.
Mary Older Reply

November 11, 2015 at 3:39 pm

I totally disagree with charging to park at Newlands Corner.

Over the years I have taken my children and relatives to this beautiful spot to walk relax and enjoy the scenery.

I would also like to add that I worked for a charity called Crossroads and frequently took clients there to sit in the car to enjoy the view; maybe have a drink or ice cream.

They also enjoyed looking at all the sparkling motorbikes and sometimes spoke to the bikers!

Why are Surrey County Council so greedy?

Please have a heart for those who still wish to enjoy this and have great respect for it.
Danny Reddick Reply

November 11, 2015 at 7:31 pm

There is always a knock-on affect to this sort of idea which generally isn’t given due thought.

In this case what will happen when people are charged to park is they will seek a free space somewhere nearby that is free.

That will be St Martha’s, Silent Pool, Shere, Chilworth and Albury who will all bear the brunt of cars parked anywhere and everywhere.

I guess the answer will be to charge at the Silent Pool and so on to infinity which seems to be both the County Council’s policy and especially the Borough Council policy.

Look on Newlands Corner as a jewel and treat it as such do not tarnish it with councillors’ greed.
Mary Bedforth Reply

December 12, 2015 at 2:39 pm

I visited yesterday. There were A5 laminated notices advising of the introduction of charges for parking in the spring. 20 minutes free.

I assume that the beautiful area will be despoiled with parking ticket machines and staff will be employed to issue parking tickets.

‘They Thought They Were Free’. The Germans 1933-45.

Milton Mayer: “This separation of government from people, this widening of the gap, took place so gradually and so insensibly, each step disguised.

“What happened here was the gradual habituation of the people, little by little, to being governed by surprise; to receiving decisions deliberated.”

http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/511928.html
Dave Middleton Reply

December 21, 2015 at 6:20 pm

There’s an interesting letter in last Friday’s Surrey Advertiser (December 18) regarding a party from Surrey County Council (SCC) spotted on a site visit to Newlands Corner.

Apparently in the time they were there they counted numerous visitors and saw only one child.

In their eyes justifying the proposed changes so as to encourage more families to visit.

The correspondent to the Surrey Advertiser rather sharply pointed out to them that it was 2pm on a school day, so it was hardly surprising that there were no children about!

Also, something that occurred to me the other day is that although SCC and Surrey Wildlife Trust are responsible for managing the location, anything they wish to do is likely to require planning permission from Guildford Borough Council.

Will they need planning permission to install the ticket machines and for the so called improvements?

Time to start lobbying our local borough councillors methinks!
Anna-Marie Davis Reply

December 22, 2015 at 3:57 pm

It does indeed appear that this plan will go ahead, with little consideration for the cafe over the road who will now need to employ some form of clamping and car park monitoring system I assume to assure their customers can park.

I am hopeful that Guildfordians will reject this greed en masse, by simply stopping going there until the change is reversed.

A co-ordinated response will be required, but this greed should be countered by boycotting the facility for a year until Surrey County Council realise they cannot charge for views.

I am also deeply disappointed at the low number of Guildford Borough Councillors who have voiced any concern about this at all.

Many Guildfordians are starting to wonder if this is really where they want to live any more. It is a frequent topic of discussion in the town, and while the Tories may be glad to hear this, that would be a very short-sighted view.

The ones who are discussing leaving are the ones who have paid the high prices for many, many years.

That has no visible effect on the make up of the town in the short term, but Guildford is currently way, way overpriced and the smart money is getting out.

When public funds are spent on Armed Forces Day, but the roads and barriers and fences are all falling apart, it isn’t long before the council’s greed will lead to mass negative equity.

Many people are realising that they can live in much nicer places for much less money, and the uglier and more expensive the Tories make Guildford, the sooner they will leave.

Guildford is about to become a victim of the false success touted at the council, and while this saddens me as a born and bred Guildfordian, I’d actually rather get out before the crash.
Maureen Newman Reply

December 22, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Apalling situatiion!

I have lived in Merrow for over 50 years and use Newlands Corner a lot.

Surely a parking fee cannot be allowed?

It needs nothing done to it and is wonderful as it is!

There’s nothing better than buying a bacon buttie from the excellent cafe and looking at the view.

The proposed changes will diversely affect our quality of life. What next, charging to park on Merrow Downs?
Terry Stevenson Reply

December 24, 2015 at 8:49 am

Can we have free ice cream, cups or tea and bacon butties too?
Barry Gould Reply

December 26, 2015 at 12:04 pm

Newlands Corner is a very well-used public facility which fulfills many fuctions. It ain’t broke – don’t mess with it.
Peter Burton Reply

January 30, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Newlands Corner provides for those who visit the area everything that could be required: wonderful views, easy access, parking, toilets, and a an excellent cafe.

Don’t ruin this for hundreds of visitors, leave it alone.
Billie Buchanan Reply

February 2, 2016 at 9:46 pm

Newlands Corner is a gem. Please don’t change anything
Mary Bedforth Reply

February 3, 2016 at 9:49 am

I heard on BBC South Today last night that Poole Borough Council is proposing to charge for parking in every location where it has been free previously.

So other councils are at the same game!

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13524066.Parking_charges_at_five_Poole_parks_a_step_closer/
Gordon West Reply

February 4, 2016 at 5:12 pm

I disagree with the imposition of parking charges and the commercialisation of this lovely area nor do I agree that Surrey Wildlife Trust is a “business.” It should receive some financial support from the Council.
Leslie Ham Reply

February 5, 2016 at 2:41 pm

I disagree entirely with the proposed car park charges at Newlands Corner as I disagree with all car park charges.

I go to a town to spend money in that town. ALL car park charges should be added to the business rate, business gains – business pays.

The surrounding area at Newlands benefits from people spending money in the area, Shere, Albury, etc.

Would we visit pubs, restaurants, roadside cafes if there was a separate charge for parking?

Supermarkets don’t charge either.

As regards the upgrade, please don’t make Newlands Corner into Newlands Disney.

If you want that then go to Chessington.

Please sign the petition – bad things happen when good people remain silent.
Janet Chipps Reply

February 19, 2016 at 4:11 pm

I disagree with the proposed car park charges at Newlands Corner.
Pauline Surrey Reply

February 20, 2016 at 2:41 pm

Please come along to SCC’s drop in session this Wednesday, 3pm to 6pm, in Merrow Village Hall, to let SCC and SWT hear your views!

Also watch out for notification of a public meeting in the not too distant future.

As I write, only another 80 or so signatures are needed for the petition to reach 10,000 signatures.
Marion Harris Reply

February 21, 2016 at 3:12 pm

This is a natural open space.

Let’s keep it this way and not charge people to breathe good, clean, fresh air!
Gina Redpath Reply

February 22, 2016 at 10:12 am

While the parking charges may be justified by improving facilities (the loos are terrible) and overall maintenance, I strongly disagree with the installation of any children’s play equipment.

I have taken all five of my children over the years to Newlands Corner, there is plenty there to stimulate the imagination.

A child soon forgets playing on this or that piece of equipment but never, ever forgets the dens, the pirates, the cops and robber games, hide and seek, played on Newlands Corner, let alone the countless picnics.

I would hate to see this spoilt by this silly equipment which would be far better suited to an underused town centre park such as the one at St Luke’s.
Peta Malthouse Reply

February 22, 2016 at 5:27 pm

Our friend who noticed what is happening in Bournemouth should note that wildlife areas throughout the country are being ‘improved’ in this way.

It is the latest idea of the government to privatise our open spaces and raise additional tax by stealth.

We get sucked in every time.
Pauline Surrey Reply

February 23, 2016 at 2:18 pm

Gina, I do so agree with what you say about kids forgetting their experiences on these play trails! I hope you don’t mind if I memorise it to use in future discussions.

Please, if you can, come along tomorrow afternoon to the Merrow drop-in.
B Elliott Reply

May 2, 2016 at 11:50 pm

I am very upset by the way supposed professional people are dealing with Newlands Corner.

I have been enjoying this lovely place for many years. It holds a special place in the Elliott family. When my husband passed away in 2011 we had a table bench placed near the car park so we can see the motorbikes he loved so much.

Correct me if I am wrong, but in all the discussion, drivel and money grabbing proposals, not once has anyone thought of the people in my position. What will become of our memories? I also write as a concerned tax payer.
Simon Webb Reply

May 3, 2016 at 4:21 pm

What a silly idea. We need to encourage people to exercise more, not less.

The more people walking in the countryside, the less demands on our health service.