Celebrating 50 years of the BCA

The BCA was founded in 1973, mainly to ensure that Burpham’s voice was heard with the re-routing of the A3. From that point onwards, we’ve been at the heart of the community – putting our point of view across, often irritating the various local authorities but mainly trying to represent everyone in our lovely community.

When we look back at what we’ve been involved with, from the Sainsbury’s and Weybrook Park developments in 1983 onwards, to the Flood Action Group and Forum in 2013 onwards, it’s clear that the current committee and our predecessors have been keen to get involved in any project.

We’re enormously grateful to everyone in Burpham. When we started working with Burpham Church to offer support to people who were struggling due to the pandemic, we were inundated with offers of help. When we started raising funds for two defibrillators, local businesses, other organisations and residents were quick to contribute. Also, whenever we put out a call for litter-pickers, plenty of you put your hands up. A big thank you to you all!

It was splendid to see so many of you at our Summer Social at the Village Hall on 24th June – lots of familiar faces and plenty of new friends. Special thanks to our Chairman and wine connoisseur, Andy Clapham, who not only gave us some interesting facts about wine but entertained us all with a quiz. And then on to the wine tasting! Did we know our Chardonnay from our Sauvignon Blanc… or our Malbec from our Pinot Noir? Who knew that we had so many wine experts in Burpham?

We think we celebrated the BCA’s 50th in style. Here’s to the next 50 years! Thank you all for your continued support.

Flood Forum Meeting at the Riverside Park

The walk took place on July 14th, led by Angela Richardson MP and attended by members of the BCA Flood Action Group and representatives of Guildford Borough Council (GBC), the Environment Agency and the National Trust.

The previous few weeks had seen little rainfall.

The group saw that the stream which drains the wetland and the overflow from the lake has been partly cleared by GBC. It was mostly dry but heavily silted. It was agreed that it should be cleared out so it will flow properly in wet conditions. This will, however, be dependent on availability of funds within GBC.

It has been suggested that the BCA might be able to organise a volunteer group to assist but this has not so far been accepted by GBC. One observer expressed surprise that GBC seemed reluctant to relinquish control over essential work which they may be unable to fund.

London Road Update

The Sustainable Travel Reference Group was set up to help Surrey County Council (SCC) ensure that stakeholder views are understood and properly considered during the engagement process.

It provides a forum for dialogue between SCC and its stakeholders, at each key stage of the scheme.

It is facilitated by the Consultation Institute, an independent not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to promote good practice in public consultation.

The BCA is represented on this Group as part of the Guildford Residents Association and also as part of the London Road Action Group (LRAG). Other members include residents’ associations, councillors, schools and young people, cyclists, disabled people, businesses and a bus company.

SCC now propose a much less disruptive implementation plan and are trying to improve the design of the scheme. The BCA welcomes these improvements although some safety concerns remain.

The group met twice in July and is in the process of helping to design a public survey which will be conducted during the school summer holidays, so it may still be open when this is published (early September).

Public meetings are planned for September at which the details of the proposed design and implementation plan will be put forward.

It is currently thought that work will commence during summer 2024 and the Burpham section (New Inn Lane roundabout to Boxgrove roundabout) may take about 6 months to complete.

In order to give SCC a true view of public opinion we urge everyone affected or interested to take part in the survey and public meetings.

Details will be provided to BCA members in a newsletter when they are available.