05 January 2010
On 21 December 2009, Lord Adonis, the Secretary of State for Transport, approved the Orders needed to construct the new Walton Bridge. His decision followed a two-day public inquiry held in the summer of 2009.
The Orders are:
- 'The Surrey County Council (New Thames Road Bridge, Walton) Scheme 2008', which gives permission to build over the River Thames;
- The Surrey County Council (A244) Thames Crossing Walton-on-Thames (Oatlands Drive to Windmill Green) (Classified Road) (Side Roads) Order 2008, which gives permission to create and amend local roads, footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways; and
- The Surrey County Council (A244) Thames Crossing Walton-on-Thames Compulsory Purchase Order 2008, which gives authority to acquire the land needed for the scheme.
At the same time, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, has issued the 'Exchange Land Certificates' associated with the acquisition of 'Open Space Land' and 'Recreational Allotment Land' that forms part of the Cowey Sale recreational area. His decision also follows the public inquiry.
Additionally, Hilary Benn, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has issued the 'Exchange Land Certificates' associated with the acquisition of 'Village Green Land' at Cowey Sale, and 'Common Land' at Windmill Green on the Shepperton side of the river. These certificates were not subject to the public inquiry.
The decision letters, and the Inspector's report from the public inquiry, together with all the documentation associated with the Public Inquiry, can be inspected at Walton Library; Shepperton Library; and at Room 127, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames.
As the decisions have been issued later than originally anticipated, advance works for the scheme are now planned to start in April 2010, subject to full funding approval being granted by the Department for Transport.
