As a result of a mounting level of complaints from pedestrians being received about Surrey County Council  failing to cut back the grass verges in the village (for which the rate payers pay to have done ) District Councillor Ken Harwood and a local village resident Graham Wilfort took direct action last week

 

Armed with mechanical cutters, they cleared the footpath between Furness Wood and the Shell Garage in the Copthorne Road. Prior to the operation it was virtually impossible to walk along this stretch of pavement. It was overgrown with huge weeds, stinging nettles , grass some of which was about a metre high and overhanging bushes and trees.

 

After clearing both sides of the footpath, the area was then  brushed through to ensure that pedestrians had a clear area upon which to walk.

 

Found in the undergrowth opposite the huge potholes in Copthorne Road (many of which are still there from the winter!! ) a huge number of wheel trims were found. A fine testament to the poor level of maintenance provided by Surrey County Council.

 

The two men then moved on to Copthorne Road just east of Hedgecourt Place and carried out a similar operation.

 

Councillor Harwood said," I and many others in the village are getting totally fed up with waiting for Surrey County Council to do the work we pay them for. The situation along Copthorne Road was unacceptable. Children were getting stung by stinging nettles and it was difficult to get a buggy through. It only took Graham Wilfort and I a couple of hours work to make the path useable. At the other location the situation was equally as bad.