Paul Cragg for Worplesdon (Normandy and Pirbright)

Paul has lived in Worplesdon since 1977. His professional life was spent as University lecturer and Head of Ecology in London. There he concerned himself with natural ecosystems from deserts to the poles. To further his scientific activities Paul learnt to Scuba dive as a student and has continued in the sport ever since. He has been a governor of the British Sub Aqua Club and is now Chief Executive of the major U.K. Diving Charity. He is married with two children and one grandson. Paul is involved in local affairs as Vice-Chair of Broadacres and District Resident`s Association and as Chairman of the Aldershot Road Allotments Self-Help Association. He is campaigning vigorously to stop building encroachment in Worplesdon and adjacent green spaces. Paul is committed to maintaining and improving Worplesdon`s environment and to providing care with humanity for our residents both public and military.

Normandy & Pirbright Issues

Normandy and Pirbright is under threat from excessive housebuilding if the Government`s S.E. Plan goes ahead in its present form. I will resist the concrete-creep which could join our villages into one vast housing estate spreading from Woking to Guildford. I also see the balance of our lifestyle being eroded with scandalous developments such as the proposed car crushing plant in Normandy around the Chapel Farm area. I will oppose this in its entirety. Talking to numerous people in the area has shown me that there is very considerable worry about the numbers of huge lorries that try to cross Normandy and Pirbright, for example through Cobbett`s Hill Road and Holly Lane. Some reasonable restriction on this sort of traffic must be developed.

I am further concerned about the level of care provided for both our vulnerable children and older residents. Recent incidents have greatly eroded our confidence in the ability of Surrey County Council to provide an acceptable service. A one star, the lowest possible, grading for childrens` services is totally out of order. The state of road surfaces is deplorable, potholes, damaged verges and broken kerbing can be seen everywhere. It`s no use the Government and the Conservative led SCC saying it`s the same all over the country and then blaming each other for not supplying enough money. What we want is the blame shifting to stop and the silly playground name-calling indulged in by Government and Council alike to come to an end. I am currently trying to help some residents in the far west of Normandy to get their roads adopted by the Council so they no longer have to suffer dust storms, flying stones and muddy craters every day of their lives.

Let`s stop wasting money on turgid County Hall bureaucracy and consultancies, fill up the holes in our roads, care for our kids and old folk, permit only sensible and senstive development and make Normandy and Pirbright clean and green.