Newsletter - Fri 19 Sep, 2025

By David Grantham

In this issue: the Conservatives face a no-confidence motion that could see an end to their time running Reigate & Banstead - the numbers are tight. And plans for homes on the former gasholder site in Hooley Lane have been approved. But before that, a news round-up.

Overnight works lead to daytime traffic lights

Roadworks, due to take place overnight on Reigate Hill this week, uncovered a separate problem leading to the installation of traffic lights throughout the day.

The road was scheduled for night-time closure this week Monday - Friday, 8.30pm - 6am, to allow for carriageway resurfacing by Surrey County Council, from a point south of Raglan Road to a point north of the petrol station.

But on Wednesday night a void was found in the carriageway during the resurfacing work.

And so temporary lights appeared on Thursday morning, leading to delays.

The Surrey roadworks map (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) says the lights will be there until Monday (22 Sep), although the overnight road closures should finish on Saturday morning.

Traffic lights upgrade nearly complete

Surrey County Council expects to finish the traffic light upgrade at the A25 / Croydon Road junction today (Friday 19 Sep).

The four-week project has involved closing Croydon Road southbound at the junction, and prohibiting northbound turns when travelling west on the A25.

Surrey has come back to me on some questions I asked about the project. They’ve said the work is part of the Horizon investment programme, and that these lights were due for refurbishment.

The council said: “Through our whole life asset management plan, we work to improve asset reliability and prevent the risk of obsolete equipment being in an unmaintainable state.

“This could lead to an extended failure of the signals which has the potential to put both pedestrians and motorists at risk. We work on a 15-year asset life-cycle, and this site had exceeded this number and so was due for a refurbishment.”

Surrey is also aiming to convert all its signals to LED lamps by the end of 2026, which are safer, more economical, and with bulbs needing less frequent replacement.

Surrey added: “This site was using the old-style halogen lamps which are more costly to maintain and are becoming difficult to maintain due to the government’s policy to stop manufacturing of halogen bulbs and phase them out of use.

“In addition to the above, this particular site has historical issues with hardware (causing lamp failures) and a leaning pole which are also being resolved as part of this refurbishment scheme.”

Asked why four weeks were needed, the council said that it plans its work, with its contractors, to allow “a suitable time frame for safe and high-quality works”, and that the need for four weeks in this case was down to the size of the junction and the exact works required (which can vary between sites).

“We are constantly working with our contractors during the planning and construction stages to ensure the least amount of disruption possible,” the council added, and also apologised for the inconvenience caused by the work.

Celebrate the arts in Redhill this October

Arts Takeover 25 is nearly here, in which 11 venues in and around Redhill will host art, comedy, drama, fashion, music and more, Saturday 4 - Saturday 11 October.

A singing flash mob from local choirs will get things started in the Belfry on the first Saturday, with a music stage outside the Harlequin also running throughout the day.

Later in the week, highlights on the Belfry community stage include a Recycled Fashion Show on Tuesday 7 October with guest DJs and hosted by Woodzy, and laughter from Comedy Cottage on Friday 10 October.

Closing the week on Saturday 11 October, Redstart Community, hosts of the regular Mall Sessions at the Belfry, will put on a battle of the bands.

Those looking to get creative can try art workshops, such as the Family Big Draw on Saturday 11 October, dancing workshops, including line dancing and jive, crafting sessions, drumming circles, singing, horror writing, and more.

Most classes cost between £5 and £15 with prices designed only to cover professional fees, and kept as low as possible.

Community events during the week include a Bollywood Extravaganza with the Asian Social Group, storytelling and music inspired by Black History Month, and a ‘This is Me’ art exhibition on display throughout the festival at the Belfry.

A sustainability market and artists’ quarter in Redhill market on Saturday 4 October will offer poetry, doodling and art activities.

Cllr Shelly Newton, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council’s executive member for leisure and culture says: “Arts Takeover is all about bringing a feel-good buzz to Redhill. Whether you want to be entertained or get creative, music, dance and art in all its various forms can lift your spirits and bring people together.”

What’s happening and when can be found here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

Fly-fish to help kids

Fancy fly-fishing on the Duke of Northumberland’s Albury Estate (near Guildford)? Dorking-based charity Kids for Kids, who help children in Sudan, have a day there on Saturday 11 October.

“Our Fly-Fishing Day is a fantastic day out for the whole family, and all funds raised from ticket sales will provide Kids Kitchen Kits for children in Darfur who are waking up hungry every day due to the ongoing violence.”

Details and tickets here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

The North Downs line between Guildford and Reigate is closed until Saturday 27 September, to install signal and level crossing upgrades (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). As a result there are no GWR services in either direction at Reigate, though Southern is still running to and from Redhill. Replacement bus details and alternative routings are on the National Rail journey planner (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

Audiences are being invited back to the 1660s and the story of the orange-seller who took to the stage, capturing the heart of the king. “Nell Gwynn is a bawdy, fun, big-hearted love letter to the theatre. Come and experience the exhilarating take on some of the greatest personalities (and biggest wigs) of the Restoration”, says Horley-based the Archway theatre (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre). Their production runs 24 September - 4 October.

Watch out for road closures in the early part of Sunday (21 Sep), as the annual Run Reigate takes place, centred on Priory Park and roads in the southern part of the town. The closure map is here (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

Indian restaurant Saffron Summer, in Church Street, Reigate, is listed on Google as “permanently closed” with a sign in the window saying “restaurant for sale”. The Chessington branch remains open (and has confirmed to me that Reigate has closed).

Conservatives face no-confidence motion