Local Authority

The coroner at the inquest of train crash victim Terri Mansell is in discussions with rail regulators about improvement works to be enacted as a result of her death.

Terri died at the pedestrian level crossing in Moor Lane, Staines in April when she slipped and was hit by a train and at her inquest last month Dr Karen Johnson asked rail operator Network Rail for a list of similar crossings nationwide.

Dr Johnson is now in talks with the Office of Rail Regulation to establish what work needs to be done on those crossings and when it must be done by.

A decision is expected in January.

Street-savvy youths from Spelthorne signed a petition pledging not to carry knives and presented it to Spelthorne MP, David Wilshire, at the House of Commons last week.

More than 5,000 young people signed the petition, 'Knives Wreck Lives' - organised by the Spelthorne Youth Council - which launched on October 27 and presented their pledges to their local MP on Tuesday, December 9.

This is the new development planned for Majestic House in Staines.

Planning permission for one huge building on the site in the High Street was obtained earlier this year but the land was bought by new owners Landid and Rreef in January who have scrapped the plans in favour of a more open development.

Spelthorne Council is set to spend £100,000 on valuation and condition surveys of all the land and buildings it owns.

Approximately £70,000-80,000 has been earmarked by council officers for the condition survey to help decide what work needs doing and between £20,000-30,000 has been set aside to ascertain the rental value of council properties.

Firefighters smashed a car window to rescue a child who was accidentally locked inside the vehicle in High Street, Staines, on Sunday (7) at about 3.30pm.

Firefighters tackled a kitchen blaze at a house in Octavia Way, Staines, on Friday (5) at about 8.30pm.
No one was hurt and there was only minor smoke damage to the room.

Campaigners say the Government is having second thoughts on whether to build a third runway at Heathrow and has delayed the decision as a result.

A verdict on the controversial proposal was expected before Christmas but Transport Secretary Geof Hoon announced on Thursday that it would not be given until January as there were 'strong views' that needed to be considered.

He reiterated the Government's support for a third runway but opponents seized on the indecision, hoping for a reprieve.

Firefighters went out to a minor garage fire in Edinburgh Drive, Staines, at about 3.45am on Saturday (November 22).

Police attended the fire but said it was not being treated as suspicious at this stage.

Yob behaviour could be nipped in the bud if parents were allowed to smack their children, according to Staines councillor Colin Davis.

Residents in Leacroft have been plagued by an increase in drug dealing and antisocial behaviour and Cllr Davis has advocated a return to corporal punishment to keep youngsters in line.

Work to reinforce the kerbs on the railway bridge in Kingston Road, Staines, started on Monday November 10.

The work, intended to protect the fabric of the bridge, is due to finish on Friday November 21.