£6 million is now the estimated repair bill to fix surreys flood damaged roads and bridges.

Torrential rain, strong winds and burst riverbanks over the christmas period meant county council roads teams had to work around the clock to clear hundreds of flooded roads and fallen trees. The county council’s fire and  rescue service also  responded to thousands of calls £800,000 alone is expected to be needed to rebuild Flanchford Road bridge near Reigate. When final estimates are in, the roads repair bill could rise above £10 million, and there could be more flooding yet to come.

More here:

http://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2014/01/30/6-million-bill-for-surrey-county-council-to-fix-flood-damaged-roads/

A pensioner from Crawley has had distinctive items stolen from her after a burglar broke into her home while she slept.

The 89 year old womans home in Cuckmere Crescent was broken into between 9.30pm and 8.30am last Friday.

A Sony Bravia TV was stolen along with a bottle of brandy, a 12-inch high castle made of stained black wood and featuring chains for a drawebridge, decanters and glasses, two six inch shell cases and two small brass ornamental cannon.

Anyone with information should call sussex police on 101.

The RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch is back on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January 2014,

Almost 600,000 people across the UK took part in the survey in 2013 and between them counted more than 9 million birds

Schools can also get involved in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch. Almost 90,000 children and teachers take part each year,

Find out more at: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch and for BSBW at: www.rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch

Calling Reigate and Banstead’s young performers

Local young performers are being called to centre stage to take part in the annual Star for a Night talent show.

The show plans to be bigger than ever with all those passing the audition automatically receiving free tuition to help them prepare for their big night.

Participants can also be in with a chance of winning one-year scholarships to So You Wanna Be Theatre School and Urban Play Street Dance Classes.

The event in its 14th year is run by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and is being sponsored by Redhill-based company Total Gas & Power Ltd and supported by County Council Members Allocation grants.

West Crawley CLC to discuss street lighting project

Street lighting will be the main topic under discussion at West Crawley County Local Council at its meeting next week on the 14th.

The contractor involved in the replacement streetlighting project for West Sussex will be providing an update to members of the council.

SSE Contracting will provide a briefing about the project and respond to issues raised by committee members during the meeting at Crawley Library which starts at 7.00pm.

This comes following concerns among members of the public.