Towards the end of autumn 2019, Ottershaw Ward independent councillors along with the team at OWAIRA (Ottershaw and West Addlestone Independent Residents Alliance), realised how important it was for us to better understand the local issues that were of the most concern to our residents.
We decided to ask our residents, by carrying out a survey that was delivered to every house in the Ward, asking questions on topics such as traffic, crime, schooling, healthcare, the environment and housing – we received over 350 responses from households and residents.
It was clear from the responses that our community had definite opinions on local matters and wanted to be more actively involved in local issues and decisions.
Issues fell into two broad categories. Firstly more practical matters such as speeding and parking that could be addressed directly by OWAIRA, who set up a Working Group specifically to look at traffic. It is not easy! We did not appreciate the hurdles involved, determining who we needed to talk too and then getting access to them. The OWAIRA team is working their way through the slow machinery of Local Government – made worse by the pandemic. After many months we feel we are finally making some progress with the appropriate local officers and expect to be able to develop some firmer proposals in the months ahead.
We are currently in detailed discussions on the feasibility of 20mph speed limits on our village roads; a pedestrian crossing on Slade Road, at the junction with Brox Road and Bousley Rise; and in Brox Road, better definition of roadside parking bays and clearer no parking restrictions in areas where safety is a major concern.
We will seek residents’ views when the authorities have signalled that the ideas are feasible and before making any commitments but we are making progress towards addressing residents’ concerns.
Meanwhile, I am sure more residents, from all areas of the Ward, would wish to make their views known – please email me at
cllr.malcolm.cressey@runnymede.gov.uk
Or make contact via the OWAIRA website.
The second category of issues tended to be more ‘conceptual’, like wanting to retain the village feel, concern with the village being split into two by the A320 development proposals, to have a sustainable shopping and commercial centre, to have greater capacity and accessible medical facilities in the village, to relieve congestion in the village and better locate schools and facilities. It was from these conceptual/strategic issues that we realised that Ottershaw needed a much stronger focus and standing in the Local Government machinery. The only way for any local community to achieve that is to establish a NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN which carries statutory weight and allows residents to strongly influence local development within the framework of the borough-wide Local Plan.
The first stage was to establish a Neighbourhood Forum. In the early part of 2020, Working Groups were set up with the objective of submitting an application to Runnymede Borough Council for the designation of the Ottershaw Neighbourhood Forum and Area. The application was approved and designation followed on 14th Oct.
Please do go to the website
https://www.ottershawforum.com
The application details explain why the area to be covered by the Plan was chosen.
So far there are over 300 members of the Forum, drawn from residents, local business and other organisations. Membership continues to be open and we welcome you to join. Just use the join form on the website.
Since designation the Forum Steering Committee has been elected and the officers selected. It is pleasing to note that the steering committee is made up of residents who were active in the designation process.
The Development of the Neighbourhood Plan will result in a “vision” of what Ottershaw and its environs should look like in 15 to 20 years’ time. It will be developed by the residents and influence what Runnymede Borough Council will present in its next Local Plan to be adopted in around 2025.
So from the starting point of the survey we have made some real progress – the creation of a Neighbourhood Forum for Ottershaw Village, that will seek and reflect the views of local residents. ..And meanwhile OWAIRA carries on with the ‘nitty gritty’ across the whole Ward – contact them with your day-to-day issues.