Surrey’s Joint Chief Medical Officer urges people to use the NHS responsibly as further industrial action hits already busy services As resident doctors in Surrey begin further strike action tomorrow, Surrey’s NHS is encouraging people to use services responsibly, ahead of further disruption to services over the coming days. This time the impact of industrial action is expected to be exacerbated by the high demand for services already being experienced, with cases of flu peaking earlier and predicted to grow, amid mounting concerns over what is expected to be one of the worst flu seasons the NHS has seen.

Those travelling off peak from 14 December may want to note a discovery that means Surrey stations getting convenient contactless ticketing will move to a Transport London definition of off peak travel start time which is later than at present. A question from Dorking Hills County Councillor Hazel Watson with answer from Surrey Cabinet councillor Matt Furniss. The arrangements are being introduced by the rail and local station operator GTR rather than by the County Council or TfL.

Electric Vehicles Charging Rates Reduced Across Mole Valley Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) offers 90 Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCPs) across the district in Dorking, Leatherhead, Ashtead and Bookham – all are managed by Blink Charging. Charges across majority of MVDC car parks have been reduced to 49p per kWh (from 55p) and you can find them at: Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall – 10 chargers…

Fetcham/Leatherhead, Oxshott, Cobham, Ewell, Esher, Thames Ditton, Oxted, Weybridge, Stoneleigh, Banstead and Tadworth and Reigate all appear on a target list issued by M&S Food for potential new stores. The retailer is seeking sites and expressions of interest from landlords and developers as part of an expansion of its food only stores. In addition we understand Richmond could become a food only store, and in Dorking M&S are understood to have the freehold of the store occupied by Wickes in Vincent Lane next to Lidl.

Earlier updates including free seasonal parking in local towns currently under different council arrangements: Christmas events including Oxshott with Sam Faiers

National news on rail fares freeze with impact across Surrey commuter areas and follows the introduction of contactless ticketing 14 December at Dorking Ashtead Leatherhead. First rail freeze in 30 years to ease the cost of living Rail fares frozen for the first time in 30 years in historic intervention to deliver real savings for millions of commuters. From:

From NHS Surrey NHS urges local people to get flu vaccine before winter peaks NHS Surrey is reminding local people who are eligible to book their flu vaccination as soon as possible, as flu is circulating early this year. National data shows this year’s flu vaccine is offering strong protection, especially for children. Early results from the UK Health Security Agency show the flu vaccine is 70 to 75 per cent effective at preventing hospital attendance in children aged 2 to 17.

Lockdowns may have been avoided if Boris Johnson’s government had acted faster, damning report finds

Two local updates on the article shared earlier in November Bookham Oxshott Cobham Effingham Junction Claygate Are among SWR managed stations on their rollout of contactless payment on existing card readers. Which is on a separate timescale to the GTR Southern managed stations 14 December (Ashtead Leatherhead Dorking ) SWR say : “we’re upgrading smartcard validators at selected stations.

Booking details in the article Surrey County Council’s popular tree giveaway events are back with an impressive 4,000 free trees up for grabs at locations around the county. … Free trees for Surrey residents at giveaway events Surrey County Council’s popular tree giveaway events are back with an impressive 4,000 free trees up for grabs at locations around the county. …

From Fetcham Councillor Phil Hammond: What will happen when Surrey County Council and Mole Valley Council are scrapped? Find out at the Fetcham Reading Room Event, Monday 27th October, 7 pm - 9pm There will be four expert speakers you can ask:- Leader of Surrey County Council, Tim Oliver; Leader of Mole Valley District Council, Bridget Kendrick; Fetcham Surrey County Councillor, Tim Hall; …

Flying flags on your own property is one thing, but putting them on the highway or electricity pylons is officially discouraged. Statements by Surrey County Council and UK Power Networks provided below : Surrey County Council Statement on items attached to lampposts and paintings on road markings - September 2025 We recognise the importance of the Union flag and flag of St George as symbols of national pride, and we proudly fly the Union flag from our council headquarters in Reigate.

The European Union’s new entry/exit system (EES) replaces passport stamping with facial recognition technology and fingerprint ID

Surrey Police made one recent arrest in the Epsom area as reported via social media: Redhill Hundreds arrested in illegal delivery rider shut down Illegal workers arrested in nationwide enforcement surge as part of government's drive to crack down on immigration crime. From:Home Office and Dame Angela Eagle DBE MPPublished9 August 2025 Immigration Enforcement officers Hundreds of arrests have been made across the UK following a week-long crackdown on riders working illegally for delivery firms.