Useful Info

Radio presenters based at St Peter's Hospital station in Chertsey are up for national awards.

Three radio presenters have been shortlisted for awards at the National Hospital Radio Awards ceremony which will be held on Saturday March 27 as part of the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) Conference at Renfrew near Glasgow.

Those on the shortlist are all volunteers at the Guildford Road radio station currently awaiting an OFCOM decision on FM broadcasting.

A new campaign to deter Surrey drivers from speeding was launched on Monday.

The 'Ben' campaign has been introduced as part of the 'Drive Smart' initiative and has been developed by the Surrey Safety Camera Partnership.

Most services at Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals are running as normal.

Staff at the two sites have been braving the snow and ice to make sure they can get into work anf keep clinics and appointments running as smoothly as possible.

Valerie Howell, chief operating officer, said: "In the event that we do have to cancel an individual clinic or operation, we will contact patients directly. If you haven't heard from us, then we are expecting to see you.

"However, if patients feel that it's not safe to make the journey into hospital, we will of course reschedule their appointment at another time. Please don't put yourself at risk.

"Over the last few days staff at the two hospitals have made a supreme effort to come into work and keep our services going.

"We would like to say a big thank you, both to our staff and to the general public for their co-operation."

Refuse and recycling collections across Runnymede are still suspended due to the snow and ice.

The services were suspended yesterday (Wednesday January 6) and Runnymede Council has decided that the conditions on the roads are still too bad for collections to resume.

Bosses will monitor the situation over the next few days, and when services do start up again, extra collections will help clear the backlog.

Emergency calls concerning household waste can be made to 0800 096 2028, or emails sent to refuse@runnymede.gov.uk.

There will also be a restricted service at Runnymede's Civic Centre in Addlestone today, and the library is closed all day.

The council has also postponed meetings of its planning committee and corporate management committee this week.

Day centres are open as normal, and a restricted meals on wheels service is also running, but museums and leisure centres have restricted opening hours.

Please contact these centres directly for more information.

Check back here for up-to-date information on services in Runnymede.

Services at Runnymede Council have had to be cut due to the snow sweeping across the borough.

Staffing levels at the authority are down to 70% and some services are having to be temporarily cut while the bad weather is here.

Refuse collections, kerbside recycling and garden waste collections have been suspended, and as has the Dial-a-Ride transport to day centres.

But the meals on wheels service is still running using 4x4 vehicles from the council's depots and day centres are open to provide meals.

A spokeswoman for Runnymede Council said: "Road and weather conditions will be reviewed early Thursday morning, when a decision will be made regarding Thursday's refuse collections.

"Contact will be made with the users of the Dial-a-Ride service when it is resumed.
"The snow is due to get worse so we may have to let some staff who have travelled long distances leave early, so there will be a slightly reduced service from 3pm.

"Due to the current weather conditions and expected minus temperatures tonight, both leisure centres will be closing early tonight (Wednesday January 6) at 6pm."

Council chiefs will assess the services again when they have seen what the weather is like on Thursday January 7.

Ambulance chiefs have declared a major incident in the wake of heavy snowfall across the area.

Patients are being warned to stay away from Accident and Emergency at St Peter's Hospital, Chertsey, and bosses at South East Coast Ambulance Service are warning people to stay indoors if they can.

Sue Harris, director of operations at SECAM said: "We are prioritising life-threatening calls above all others, and due to the adverse conditions, it is unlikely that we will reach patients with minor injuries and symptoms in worst hit areas.

"We urge people to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary. Driving conditions are extremely hazardous and we want to reduce the risk of injury on the roads as much as possible."

An extra 200 police officers could be seen walking around the streets of Surrey in the near future.

Chief constable of Surrey Police Mark Rowley has said the force are looking to close police stations, make cuts of senior officers and lower bureaucracy as part of radical plans due to be discussed on December 10 with Surrey Police Authority.

The story of men and women agents in the second world war is being held in Chertsey Hall on Sunday, May 17.

Dr Mark Baldwin will present the talk at the hall in Heriot Road, Chertsey from 7.30pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.

Tickets, £10, are available from Dorothy Chadburn on 01483 811923.

A pubic meeting about the recession is being held in Chertsey Hall on Thursday, May 7.

Entry is free to the hall in Heriot Road, and guests will have the chance to question MP for Runnymede and Weybridge and shadow chief secretary to the treasury, Philip Hammond.
The meeting runs from 7.30pm to 9pm and all are welcome.

Chertsey Library are looking for a tea bar assistant.

The library in Guildford Street is looking for a volunteer that will be willing to serve coffee, tea and cake to visitors on Friday mornings.

The volunteer would join a rota system which would involve two and a half hours a month.

For more information please contact Jenny on 01932 571122.