Last updated: 28th September 2010
Breaking news - Resident to sue Council
Today we can reveal that a Woodcock Hill resident has initiated legal proceedings against Surrey County Council.
For legal reasons we have been advised not to publish details on this website, but further details will be available shortly.
Councils bullying tactics come to nothing
Here is Ann Charlton, Head of Legal and Democratic Services at Surrey County Council who wrote to us threatenting legal action unless we stopped asking Councillor Ian Lake for help in our bid to make Woodcock Hill a safer stretch of road.
To add insult to injury, on the Council's own website Ann Charlton say's the following!
"Our aim is to provide an excellent and continuously improving legal service to the Council, underpinned by a commitment to People First values to enable the Council to achieve the objectives of the corporate plan "Making Surrey a Better Place" - Ann Charlton, Head of Legal Services.
WHAT A JOKE!
Despite humble appeals STILL nothing from the Council or Highways Agency
Since our last update and the news that the Council have threatened to try to gag local residents through the courts, we have again made humble and polite appeals to Councillor Ian Lake for contact. Despite one residents offer to donate £500 to St Catherine's Hospice, we have to sadly report that still no contact has been received.
SHOCKING NEWS
Ian Lake to spend Council's money on LEGAL ACTION AGAINST safety campaigner
Councillor Ian Lake has issued a stark warning to one local resident by threatening to apply for a COURT INJUNCTION in a bid to halt the campaign for a safer A22 on Woodcock Hill. Our legal team advise us that a battle with the Council could run into many thousands of pounds.
Whilst the Council can't find the budget to help save lives by installing a few safety signs it appears Mr Lake's department CAN find the budget to apply for court injunctions against private individuals who's only aim to to avoid further deaths and injury.
Despite many residents trying to contact Ian Lake not a single response from the man himself has been received.
FIVE YEARS ON MR LAKE AND RESIDENTS ARE STILL WAITING
RESIDENT TO PAY FOR WHAT COUNCIL CAN'T AFFORD
On 29th July 2010 one Park Farm resident has officially offered cash strapped Council & Highway's Agency funds from his own pocket to pay for safety signs on Woodcock Hill. After FIVE LONG YEARS of campaigning for a safer stretch of road, both Public agencies have admitted that they simply "can't find the budget" to prevent more accidents on Woodcock Hill.
After numerous accidents and a recent death, one resident has had enough and confirmed tonight that he will personally bear the financial outlay for the safety signs that Councillor Ian Lake and his sidekick David Curl have constantly denied road users and residents.
NOW LETS SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES THESE TWO TO GET THE WORK DONE
FIVE YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING AND STILL NO HELP WORTHY OF A MENTION
Residents of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, East Grinstead and surrounding areas.
The sad fact of the matter is that the local Highways Authority, led by Ian Lake, has refused to protect road users and home owners on Woodcock Hill. Councillor Ian Lake has been told and warned about the potential for disaster on Woodcock Hill more than ONE HUNDRED TIMES yet still he ignores the entire issue and refuses to meet with residents.
Residents predict more accidents on Woodcock Hill and more fatalities in the future. Residents and road users, be aware that WHEN another incident occurs on this stretch of the A22 the man pictured below will haver blood on his hands. If Mr Lake had just one ounce of decency he would resign from his position immediately. He is clearly neglecting in his duty of care to the general public, residents and road users.
Mr Lakes excuse is that his budget won't stretch to a couple of road signs.
REMEMBER THE FACE - REMEMBER THE NAME - REMEMBER WHO TO BLAME
Mr Lake deems the stretch of road featured below as SAFE, despite deaths and numerous accidents and near misses
Imagine what can happen when traffic of this speed and nature comes around the blind bend and suddenly finds itself faced with a vehicle (like the lorry pictured above) slowly making its way out of the residential entrances on Woodcock Hill? How many split seconds do both parties have to act?
I had been wondering why it was proving so difficult to capture some of the more dangerous and speeding drivers on camera. At the end of this video you will see a commercial vehicle pull up next to me. He thought I was a Police Officer and slowed down... Proof that a CAMERA would work and has the desired affect. Most of the cars seen appear slow down as soon as they see someone filming.
