Openreach is installing infrastructure throughout the County to facillitate the introduction of high speed broadband, including large new fibre optic cabinets. BTplc's agent dealing with the planning, and other, consents required - at least in Surrey - is 'Harlequin Group'.

LAMPOSTS

You may have heard  Hugh Meare's robust defence of the cast iron lampposts (CIL's) on the Green on BBC Radio Surrey in June. He spoke for all of us who care about this land.

The EGC's formal position is:

The EGC has accepted the stand of SCC, indicated on its website pages ie that Skansia Laing won't entertain a contract to maintain CIL's,  the existing CIL's will not form part of the plan, and will be replaced with replicas.  Marisa Heath's County contribution of £900 has meant that at least the two undesirable swan necks on the Green nearest to the EGC Residents' Representative's houses will now be upgraded to 'type B's', but this leaves the swan necks down Cooper's Hill Lane the odd ones out.

However, thanks to Hugh Meare's initiative, with the support of residents, this may not be over yet. The 'one size fits all of Surrey' approach by the HA is being resisted. At an extraordinary meeting of the Englefield Green Committee on 31^stJuly, see link , it was decided to investigate the matter further with Surrey County Council, to see if the cast iron lampposts can be saved.

FoG SECURES PUBLIC ACCESS to BRUNEL SITE

FoG is disappointed in the decision of RBC to grant certain aspects of this development, in particular the demolition of one of the last remaing examples of 'bothy cottages' in the area to facilitate affordable housing immediatley adjacent the Conservation Area.  At the planning meeting, Mike Kusneraitis is to be congratulated for, at least, abstaining on this matter. Interestingly the other local Ward Councillor, Hugh Meares, who has been vociferous in his approval of the development of this site, found that he had a, so far undetermined, prejudicial interest in this and withdrew from the chamber. Of course, having not voted, he can't be held accountable for the decimation of the Conservation Area. It is of note that RBC's Conservation Officer, Andrew Hill, who lives in Cardiff, didn't even make a site visit in relation to this application before he commented on this major development.

These are the Victorian cottages that RBC have allowed to be demolished. Any residents who will be sorry to lose this part of our history should take pictures of them now before they are gone forever.

FoG is delighted, that due to its strenuous efforts, public access is to be reintroduced to the 'ski slopes' and surrounding parkland area. There is also to be access through the grounds to join up with the public footpath down to Runnymede Common. This will mean that villagers can access Runnymede without negotiating the top of Priest Hill.

We are also pleased that there will be  public access to the children's play area.

However, there will be at least six years of trucks thundering along the roads of the green and destroying the verges, while the work is in progress. FoG drew to the attention of the Englefield Green Committee that it is a criminal offence to damage the surface of a village green, and urged them to insist that Coopers Hill lane should not be used, and a route down Oak Lane should be used to access ths site. The current plan is for the lorries to access the site through the main entrance, from the top of Priest Hill along Coopers Hill Lane, and leave the site via Coopers Hill Lane to the horse trough. FoG pointed out that a right turn down Priest Hill from here, is difficult enough in a car let alone a 40' articulated truck, and that the village green in this area would be severely damaged. Access arrangements have still to be finalised, but it is hoped that all parties will ensure that the village green is not damaged in any way.