Welcome to the LOSRA Website
Like any local community, the policies and decisions shaping the character and future of Lower Sunbury are influenced by a combination of local and national government initiatives, alongside market forces and vested interests operating within these frameworks. As with many areas, Lower Sunbury faces challenges stemming from an aging infrastructure, rapid urban development, increasing traffic congestion, and other pressures that impact both quality of life and the distinctive character of the neighbourhood.
In collaboration with local authorities, other residents’ associations and amenity groups, LOSRA plays a vital role in addressing fundamental issues that affect its members' lives. This organisation not only engages with broader strategic concerns but also focuses on the everyday matters that shape community well-being.
To stay informed, we encourage you to subscribe to our regular e-bulletins via the link at the top left of this page. Your continued support is essential to our efforts, and we urge you to join or renew your membership. Subscriptions for 2026 are now payable at £5 per household. Donations are also welcome.
Why no news on the cycle/footbridge?
A number of recent enquires suggests that it's probably a good time for an update on the cycle/footbridge project. After David Cameron's pledge to kick-start a "cycling revolution" our hopes were high that funding might even become available in the lifetime of this parliament. Sadly, it seems our optimism was misplaced. Funding for cycling would have to increase thirteenfold to meet a government pledge to double the number of people travelling by bicycle (that is, people wishing to journey from A - B and does not include the out-of-town, road-racing, lycra-clad pelotons who make life so frustrating for motorists by turning Lower Hampton Road, Thames Street and Fordbridge Road into a racetrack!).
Analysis by Cycling UK showed that annual funding for cycling in England would be cut to two thirds of its present level by the end of the decade and that the annual £314 million pot for cycling over the next five years would decline rapidly. Funding will stand at £95 million this year and next before dropping to £45.5 million in 2018-19; and £33 million in 2020-21 (or 72p per person per year outside London).
All very disappointing and while it doesn't necessarily kick our project into the long grass it does mean we will have to make a huge adjustment to our expectations about seeing a bridge built in the near future.
New Charges for Disposals at Charlton Lane Community Recycling Centre
If you’re planning any DIY or building work at home or in your garden, make sure you find out about new charges being introduced for some non-household waste at the nine CRCs (community recycling centres) which accept it.
The new charges will come in from 1 September, and apply to waste from construction, alterations or repair of your home or garden, such as plasterboard, breeze blocks, bricks, rubble and soil. Tyres from cars and motorbikes will also be subject to a charge.
Here are some more details about what you will and won’t need to pay for, and how much the charges will be:
- Non-household waste in bags no bigger than 50cm x 77cm will be charged at £4 a bag.
- Sheets of plasterboard no bigger than 120cm x 240cm will be charged at £4 per sheet.
- Items such as concrete fence post, ceramic bath, cistern and paving slab will be charged at £4 per item.
- If the material is loose, a charge of £50 will apply per car load.
- A charge of £5 will apply for tyres from cars and motorbikes.
- Bicycle tyres will be free of charge.
- There will be a free daily allowance of chargeable waste of one bag or one item or one sheet of plasterboard per household.
- Charges can be paid by credit or debit card.
Increased demand for essential services, coupled with reduced government funding, means Surrey County Council needs to reduce its spending in other areas, including its CRCs.
A full list of the types of waste that will be charged for is available at surreycc.gov.uk/recycling.
We can only hope that the new charges will not increase the incidence of fly-tipping!
Mayor's Charity Jazz Riverboat Cruise, Saturday 10th September
Alf Friday, our popular local Sunbury East councillor, and currently Mayor, will be hosting a Jazz Riverboat Cruise in aid of his chosen charities on Saturday 10th September.
We are delighted to publicise the Flappers and Dappers Roaring 20's themed event.
Cricket Week at Sunbury CC, 1st - 5th August
This year cricket week will take place from 1st to 5th August. The fixture list is below.
The whole week is a celebration of cricket and of Sunbury CC in particular; but Tuesday and Friday are the highlights of the week when the Club welcomes the MCC and hold the T20 Festival respectively.
Please show your support. The bar will be open all day, every day, from 11:00am through to evening closing time. Every evening will be a Club evening and there will be a post festival BBQ from about 7pm on Friday.
Walled Garden Wins Green Flag Award for 6th Successive Year
The Walled Garden in Thames Street has won the prestigious Green Flag Award for the sixth year running.
The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country and this year the Walled Garden is one of a record number of spaces to receive the Award.
The historic Walled Garden in Sunbury Park was built in the early part of the 18th Century. Following years of neglect, Spelthorne Borough Council embarked on a restoration project of the two acre garden in 1985.
Expert use of trees, shrubs and climbers on the ancient walls, which are 8 to 10 feet high in places, make the garden a beautiful place to visit. It is home to the Richard Stothard Memorial Clematis Collection which has over 200 varieties, with a clematis in flower almost every day of the year.The sheer variety of plants provide great inspiration for gardeners.
The Walled Garden is open seven days a week, from 7.30am-8.30pm in the summer months.
Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex - Public Consultation on 21st July
The developers, Willmott Dixon, will be holding a public exhibition at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex, Waterside Drive, Walton on Thursday 21st July between 4pm and 8pm.
In hand-delivered fliers sent to a number of households the developers state their intention to make some changes to improve their original development proposals for the Complex. The principal change is the removal of the northern spectator stand and storage, along with minor changes to the landscaping and car park. Members of the project team will be available at the Xcel centre to explain the changes and answer questions. For those unable to attend, the exhibition material will be on display at Elmbridge Civic Centre and Walton Library between 21st July and 4th August.
The exhibition will be of particular interest to Sunbury residents living on or near the Thames opposite the Complex, and who stand to most affected by noise and light pollution.
More...
All Welcome to the Sunbury Amateur Regatta on 13th & 14th August
The 139th year of the Sunbury Amateur Regatta will take place on 13th August 2016, with the Junior Regatta the following day on Sunday 14th August 2016.
The main event is the racing which will be in progress throughout the day, followed by the prize giving for the winners, presented by the Mayor of Spelthorne, at around 5:30 pm.
There will be plenty to entertain the whole family throughout the day with Punch & Judy and many other kids activities, including a fancy dress competition organised via the local schools.
Stalls supporting good causes and local/national charities will form the centrepiece, as well as those presenting items of local interest, plus one exhibiting some historic memorabilia from the First World War.
The day will also feature the final of the “Sunburys' got Talent” competition (If you have not already entered and wish to do so, then details of registration and the heats can be found on the Regatta website: http://www.sunburyregatta.com), music from local bands and then in the evening there will be an illuminated sail-past by the Middle Thames Yacht Club at approx. 9:00 pm, followed at approx. 9:30 pm by the renowned Sunbury Regatta fireworks display!
Admission prices payable on the day can be found on the Regatta website, but why not become a member, if you are not already?
Membership remains at just £9.00 per single or £17.00 per pair and provides admission to the Island as well as admission into the Members area, which has a reduced cost private bar (approx £1.00 per pint lower than the public bar!). The membership application form can be printed from the Regatta website and posted together with a cheque for payment to our PO Box address (sorry but they can’t yet take this online).
Full details of the event can be found on their website www.sunburyregatta.com
The President, Chairman and Regatta Committee, look forward to seeing you and thank you for your continued support in this historic local charitable event. The Annual Regatta Church Service will be held on the preceding Sunday as usual (Sunday 7th August 2016, from 10:00 am - Service starts at 10:30 am) at St. Mary’s Church, Lower Sunbury.
Action Fraud Warning on Holiday Bookings
With summer holidays fast approaching, individuals are often more exposed to travel booking frauds when looking for last minute package deals / cheap flights. Whether paying upfront for a family holiday or simply booking a flight, payments are transferred only to discover that the holiday / airline ticket does not exist and was sold to you by a bogus travel company. Fraudsters will often lure in potential customers with low prices and ‘one time only’ offers that are simply too good to pass up, requesting payment by the preferred method of direct bank transfer.
Avoid
Paying for a holiday / airline tickets / accommodation via direct bank transfer. No reputable company will ever request payment via this method.
Responding to unsolicited calls, texts or emails offering holidays at incredibly low prices.
Protect Yourself
- Whenever possible, pay for your holiday by credit card as it offers increased protection.
- Always remember to look for the ‘https’ and locked padlock icon in the address bar before entering your payment details.
- Never feel pressured to make a booking for fear that you will miss out on this ‘low price’ opportunity. If you have never used the company before, take your time to do some online research to ensure they are reputable.
- Should you make a flight or hotel booking through a travel company, feel free to separately check with the hotel / particular airline that your booking does indeed exist.
Local Sunbury CC Cricketer Selected for England
Many congratulations are due to Toby Roland-Jones who has been called up to the England squad and makes his debut for the Test match against Pakistan at Lords on Thursday.
Toby is a fomer Sunbury Colt and played through all the age groups; and was a 1st XI player until he joined Middlesex. He is a true product of Sunbury CC and we are all very proud of him and of those who contributed to his development.
Toby has been in superb form this summer and showed what he is capable of just last week, taking 3-34 as Middlesex skittled county champions Yorkshire for 167 to record an unlikely win. That came after he had picked up another three wickets in the first innings and smashed 79 not out to help set up the victory. In total, he has taken 30 first class wickets, at 29.03, this season and averages 53.33 with the bat - albeit that figure is boosted by three not out scores in his six innings.
Our uncapped paceman is one of five seam options in the 12-man squad, joining Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Chris Woakes and Jake Ball. We wish Toby every success and very much hope he is in the XI on Thursday.
Your Local Committee Next Meets on 18th July - What is it and How Can You Take Part?
What is the Local Committee?
Your Local Committee makes important decisions about the area in which we live. It is where our local councillors meet to discuss and decide on many of the issues that matter to us, as residents, or those who work or study in our area. See: http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/
What does the Local Committee do?
The Local Committee can make decisions about:
- activities for young people;
- funding for community groups and activities;
- roads and road maintenance;
- making a request for highways improvements;
- road safety;
- driving speed limits;
- parking restrictions;
- library opening hours;
- public rights of way - byways and footpaths
It also monitors how well public services like libraries and social care are benefiting local people. The Committee has a special role in making sure that local schools are performing well or taking the necessary steps to improve.
Local councillors put the community's interests at the heart of every decision they make and they value the opinions of local people. The more councillors listen to residents, the more confident we can be that issues have been considered from various angles and that the wider community is likely to benefit as a result. That is why we actively encourage local residents to interact with councillors and their local committee to make sure that their voices and opinions are heard.
How can you take part?
At the Committee's meetings you can raise issues, ask questions or petition your councillors about changes you would like them to make in our neighbourhood. You can read how to do this in the Rules of the Local Committee section below.
When does the Committee meet?
The Local Committee generally meets once every three months. This can vary but is usually around June, September, December and March. (having said that the next meeting is scheduled for 18th July!)
View details of the date, time, venue and the topics under discussion at your Local Committee meeting.
Alternatively, please contact the Community Partnerships Team for more information.
Suspension of Services From Sunbury Railway Station, 16th - 30th July
There will be no trains running between Teddington and Strawberry Hill and Shepperton, in either direction, from 16th to 30th July.
Replacement buses will run throughout this time. Trains from London Waterloo will terminate at Teddington and Strawberry Hill. Teddington Station will be busier than usual as it will be a rail replacement bus and train interchange during this time.
Buses to Teddington will leave from the bus stop in Green Street close to the junction with Sunbury Cross; and to Shepperton, from the bus stop in Green Street opposite St. Ignatius Church.
Jackie Lynton Band Make Long Overdue Return to SCC, 8th July
The next Music Night at Sunbury Cricket Club falls on Friday 8th July when the Club welcomes back The Jackie Lynton Band for a long overdue return visit. It’s a couple of years since he played here and the Club has acquired a lot of new regular visitors since then who may not have seen his highly individual show.
Jackie, a native of Shepperton, is one of the legendary characters of the British rock landscape. He has been around since his residency at Soho’s 2is coffee bar in the late 50s, recording and performing with a host of top names over the years. He toured the USA with the Savoy Brown Blues Band, and since then has established a reputation not only as a great rock performer but also a highly skilled entertainer, who has written TV comedy scripts for major stars as well as hits like “Again And Again” for Status Quo, with whom he often guests on stage.
His band includes another ex-Sunbury resident, Colin Pattenden, former bass player with Manfred’s Mann’s Earth Band, and Nashville Teens drummer Adrian “Spud” Metcalfe, with Chris Bryant and Mike Windus on guitars. Another hugely entertaining evening of finely-honed rock ‘n’ roll and hilarious near-the-knuckle banter is guaranteed. Jackie has a bottomless fount of anecdotes and risqué stories.
You can find out more information and read his extraordinary biog and life story at www.jackielynton.com. We look forward to seeing you there.
Riverside Youth Theatre to Present 'Riverside Live' a Revue at St. Mary's Church, 2nd July
Friends of St Mary's invite you to a fun evening with the very talented Riverside Youth Theatre presenting 'Riverside Live' - a Revue, on Saturday 2nd July, 7.30pm in the Church.
£9 members & pre-booked, £10 on the door.
Box Office :01932 785035 & 78580.
