Photo courtesy Metrobus

Surrey’s first Covid vaccination bus has opened its doors in Merstham. 

The Surrey bus has been introduced by Metrobus in partnership with a local GP Federation and the Council. The Alliance for Better Care is staffing the Mobile Vaccination Unit which is based at the Merstham Community Hub. Vaccinations are by GP invitation only. 

The project aims to get the vaccine to hard to reach vulnerable communities.  The bus was adapted by the company’s engineers who removed handrails and seats. 

It’s the second bus offering Covid vaccinations in the region.  The original vehicle began offering the jab in Crawley last month and was the UK’s first Mobile Vaccination Unit.

Alliance for Better Care is a GP Federation covering East Surrey, Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex. 

Image courtesy Reigate & Banstead Borough Council: Revised site boundary plan

A planning application for a new crematorium and memorial garden in Woodhatch has been submitted by the Council. 

A pre-application consultation was held in the Autumn for feedback on the plans.  Over 300 responses were received, and over 130 people attended an online question and answer event with the design team.  This resulted in some changes to the proposed scheme including reviewing the hours of operation, reducing the site boundary to maintain access for recreation, and changing the building layout and construction materials to soften its appearance.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is making the application because residents who wish their loved ones to be cremated, currently have to travel to a facility out of the borough; usually to Leatherhead, Crawley or Croydon.

For more detail on the Council’s proposal, including responses to questions received through the consultation, visit the Proposal to provide a local crematorium pages.

To view the application go to the planning application search and search using reference number 21/00192/F

Image courtesy Reigate & Banstead Borough Council:  Building view from across the site.