Transport

In recent years we have lobbied for conversion of the inadequate local railway line to a dedicated track for high-speed and frequent buses.  We have also input to the development of a strategy for the M3.  We have protested at the withdrawal of the bus service to London, and requested its reinstatement, albeit without success.

Currently we are opposing any development of the old magistrates' court near the station that would prevent significant widening of Knoll Road at that point, since this area will become an even greater bottleneck than at present once the Atrium is occupied.

We have put significant effort into designing a potential new access road for Frimley Park Hospital and promoting this with representatives of the hospital and the adjacent Frimley Park Cadet Centre.

Planning

We monitor planning applications that relate to Camberley.  Where appropriate, we respond.  In particular recently, many members of the society have protested about plans to demolish houses on the corner of the Upper Gordon Road conservation area.  We have also protested that these houses are being allowed to deteriorate.

There is an increasing trend nationally for public consultations.  These tend to be based on extensive documents whose assessment requires considerable effort.  However, we believe it is essential that the authorities receive feedback and that their proposals are supported or opposed in the interests of Camberley residents.

At the county level, we have responded during the drafting process of the South East Plan by the Regional Assembly.  This plan will have a substantial influence on town centres, housing and the overall economy of the south east, and will place serious demands on the region's infrastructure;  we have argued that the current infrastructure is inadequate to support any substantial growth.

More locally, we have responded to a number of documents being written by the borough council as part of the Local Development Framework.  These include the 'Core Strategy', the 'Statement of Community Involvement', the 'Housing Needs' document and associated sustainability assessments.  More recently, we have input to consultations on the Town Centre Area Action Plan and the Draft Parking Strategy for Surrey Heath.

Environment

We monitor developments that could affect Camberley.  If necessary, we go further.  For example, we carried out a fact-finding visit to a municipal incinerator near Basingstoke when the possibility of an incinerator in Camberley arose.

Work with other Organisations

We support of initiatives by allied organisations such as the Friends of the Surrey Heath Museum, and are currently part of the Surrey Heath Museum Action Group.  We are invited members of the executive committee of the Surrey Heath Chamber of Commerce.  We are also a member of the Advisory Board of the new Camberley Town Centre Community Interest Company which will have a major affect - for the good - on the town.  As preparation for this, we have carried out a door-to-door survey of many of the shops in the High Street and identified a unanimous belief that the road should be of a high standard - and that it is not.

We represent Camberley residents in the Atrium Liaison Forum - set up by the council to discuss with the developers and contractors any problems that arise during the construction phase.  We provide the Vice-Chair for the Forum.  Through our membership of the Forum we have also taken part in the Public Art Steering Group looking at options for public art associated with the Atrium.