Newsletter - Tue 26 Aug, 2025

By David Grantham

In this issue: plans to convert another office block on London Road into flats, and a third go at adding some housing to a building in the High Street.

News in brief

This year’s Heritage Open Days are approaching, offering free visits to historic places, 12 - 21 September. The list for Reigate & Banstead is here (Opens in a new window) - some visits need booking.

The Conservatives no longer have a majority on Surrey County Council, after losing two seats in by-elections (Opens in a new window) on Thursday (21 Aug). The Liberal Democrats won the Hinchley Wood, Claygate & Oxshott division, while Reform UK picked up Addlestone. Surrey’s 81 divisions are now made up of 40 Conservatives, 17 Lib Dems, 16 Residents, 2 Labour, 2 Green, 2 Reform UK, 1 independent and 1 vacancy (Camberley West, by-election awaited).

Forty-one awards went to local people who give up their time to help others, in this year’s Reigate & Banstead Volunteer Awards. Award categories were Individual Volunteer, Volunteer Team, Individual Trustee, Young Volunteer and Long Service. Full article here (Opens in a new window).

A Battle of the Bands competition is open for entrants. Run by Redstart Community CIO, there are age categories of 12-18 (“Rock School”) and 16-25 (“Rock Momentum”). The final will be on the Mall Sessions stage at the Belfry on Saturday 11 Oct. Details of how to enter - by 12 September - and prizes are here (Opens in a new window).

Seven people were taken to hospital after a collision involving three cars and a lorry in Redhill at around 8.30am on Saturday 9 August, at the junction of A23 Horley Road and Earlswood Road. One of the injured, a woman in her 80s who was airlifted to hospital, has subsequently died. Police have renewed their appeal (Opens in a new window) for anyone who can help the investigation to contact them (Opens in a new window) quoting PR/45250097447.

Greener local buses: 11 double-decker hydrogen buses have recently entered service (routes 420, 460 and 480), joining the 23 single-decker hydrogen vehicles already running (routes 100, 430 and 435). Zero emissions at the tail-pipe, a 600-mile range, and a 10-minute refuelling time are among the benefits listed by Surrey County Council (Opens in a new window) who have worked in partnership with operator Metrobus.

The annual electoral canvass is under way, in which Reigate & Banstead Borough Council contacts households by post, email, text and phone to check voter details are still correct. With important unitary elections next year, the council is reminding people (Opens in a new window) to keep their eye out for the forms, and how people can register to vote if they’re not already signed up.

Surrey Police were called to reports of a collision in a layby on the M23, shortly before 6.30am on Sunday, 17 Aug, involving a driver of an Audi and driver of a VW who was out of his vehicle at the time. A man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene. The road was closed for several hours northbound between junctions 8 and 7, and also a section of the A23. Surrey Police are asking (Opens in a new window) anyone who can help the investigation to contact them (Opens in a new window) quoting PR/45250100767.

Reigate & Banstead is seeking expressions of interest to run the 494-seat Harlequin when it reopens and/or the new 200-seat Unit 5 at the Rise. Would-be operators need to get in touch by 1 September (Opens in a new window).

Surrey Fire & Rescue are looking for empty homes and commercial premises for breathing apparatus training. Firefighters need to practise search skills in unfamiliar spaces, the fire service says (Opens in a new window), adding that the smoke used is cosmetic and causes no lasting property damage.

“A hilarious and satirical look at middle-class England’s instinct to appear nice”, The Unfriend is the latest production by the Horley-based Archway theatre (Opens in a new window), running until 31 August.

More office conversion plans in London Road