Hi Folks
 
Whilst we work on the details of how to respond to the pipeline proposals, here is a brief update on what we learnt at ESSO’s Consultation Exhibition on the pipeline project last week. The basics were:

1. ESSO are evaluating a number of ‘corridors’ within which to route their new pipeline.
2. The consultation is to help decide the best corridor.
3. Corridor J largely follows the route of the existing pipeline that must be replaced.
4. Corridors M & Q are identical as far as Pyrford is concerned.  They only differ in how they negotiate Alice Holt Forest near Farnham.
5. Corridors M & Q arrive in Pyrford across the River Wey floodplain and south of Woking Palace.  The route crosses the conservation areas around St Nicholas Church and Aviary Road, intersects The Hanger ancient woodland and runs close to 200 homes along Boltons Lane, Pyrford Road and Dodd’s Lane before tracking off towards West Hall and Byfleet. 
6. ESSO are steering people to reply through their pro forma and we have issues with that.  A personal letter is much more powerful we believe but more of that later.  

It is clear that the ESSO proposals could irreparably damage our heritage and environment and the Forum has formally resolved to oppose proposals to route corridors M & Q through Pyrford and will recommend corridor J be used where planning and environmental precedents are already well established.
 
Further details of the project are available at:  https://www.slpproject.co.uk/
 
The above is necessarily brief whilst we finalise a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ and agree details of our response.  Both these will appear on our website in due course and the RA will have a very good  pros and cons summary at http://www.the-residents.org/ shortly.  Woking Borough Council have also resolved to oppose corridors M & Q and we have been talking to the Council to understand the impact of a pipeline across floodplain.  Much of the work referred to above will be done at the next Forum committee, this Friday, and I will write again when additional information is available on the website.
 
Many thanks for your support.


Geoff Geaves
Chairman Pyrford Neighbourhood Forum.