Objective 5: Riverside and Countryside - projects

This page details individual project ideas for this Objective, resulting from the Leatherhead Tomorrow activity, summarises the status, and links to fuller project descriptions where available. Click on the links in the right hand column for fuller project descriptions and progress reports.

Key: Planning: work is in hand on detailed project planning in order to submit bids for funding; Funding: project funding is being sought; In Work: funding has been obtained, and work is in progress; Complete: project is complete; Revisit: this project may be amended or incorporated into another heading; NLA: no longer applicable or not now being addressed.

OBJECTIVE 5: To preserve and enhance the riverside environment and the wider countryside; to improve access to it and further to develop links between town and countryside and to promote it to visitors.

EN1TO INVESTIGATE HOW TO ALLOW AND ENCOURAGE ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATIONAL USE OF THE RIVER AND RIVERBANKS WHILST SAFEGUARDING THE UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RIVER. 
EN1.1Investigate ways to improve the special habitat and other key environmental features of the River Mole, working with key agencies and with the community 
EN1.2Improve signage and develop attractive routes from all access points from the town to riverside.In Work
EN1.3Make an attractive footpath from the Leisure Centre to the riverside and investigate opportunities to extend the riverside footpaths further along river corridor into the countryside. 
EN1.4Improve access for people with all disabilities to the riverside.In Work
EN1.5Add seats, picnic tables and litterbins where appropriate.In Work
EN1.6Investigate opportunities for a riverside café and further riverside facilities 
EN1.7Improve maintenance of the riverside paths and involve local residents in clearance of rubbish. 
EN1.8Spread knowledge about the wildlife to be seen beside and in the river, for adults and children, through information boards in the town centre and at other suitable locations and an interpretative centre, possibly in the foyer of the Leisure Centre, with pictures of exactly what to look out for and other learning opportunities, for both visitors and local people.In Work
EN1.9Promote the River Mole Day. 
EN2TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR ALL TO COUNTRYSIDE IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE TOWN AND TO PROMOTE LEATHERHEAD TO VISITORS AS GATEWAY TO THE SURREY HILLS 
EN2.1For those not able to walk far, ensure that the town is included in the routes of the countryside buses and find a location where people can park, walk a short distance to the riverside, sit down and contemplate the river. 
EN2.2Review footpaths and bridleways giving access from town to country for ramblers; make safe crossing places over the bypass on the line of existing bridleways and footpaths. 
EN2.3Develop a network of footpaths, allowing circular routes between the beauty spots, including a link between Mickleham and Norbury Park, with clear ‘footpath’ signs. 
EN2.4Investigate opportunities for increased cycle route coverage from the centre of the town to the surrounding countryside and within the countryside, including family cycle routes away from traffic, suitable also for SeeAbility tandems. 
EN2.5Develop the accessible route between Dorincourt and Woodbridge Corner through Teazle Wood. 
EN2.6Work with the SCC Tourism Office and the MVDC Business Development Officer to promote the countryside around Leatherhead, as an amenity for day visits, a wildlife habitat and an educational resource, for people from further afield. 
EN3TO PROTECT AREAS OF BEAUTY AND WILDLIFE VALUE AND TO PROMOTE HIGH STANDARDS OF COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT 
EN3.1Safeguard wildlife corridors between areas of wildlife importance 
EN3.2Enable sharing of best practice among rangers and wardens. 
EN3.3Consult with local farmers as to how they can best be supported 
EN3.4Promote economic links and better mutual understanding between town and country, promoting Surrey Farm Visit Week, Surrey Hills Produce and the Farmers’ Markets. 
EN3.5Develop further links between producers in the countryside around Leatherhead and potential customers living in the area. 
EN3.6Invite local employers to encourage their employees to participate in conservation work in the local countryside.