Article from Look Local March edition

Bookham Vision is on the Road! 

The Bookham Vision team is going on the road this month.  Having been busy collecting all manner of data as well as views from quite a lot of you, we thought we would tell you what we’ve learned so far, and give you a chance to give us some more feedback for this first phase of the plan. 

During March we’ll be taking our Roadshow to venues around Bookham (listed below) to give you every opportunity to hear what we have to say, and also what your friends and neighbours have had to say so far.  Please come and see us. 

As this first phase of our project nears completion we’d like to make sure we’ve captured everything that’s important to you as a resident of or worker in Bookham.  Remember, at this stage it’s your initial views on all aspects of life in Bookham that we’re after.  Whilst we‘ve had a lot of leaflet surveys back, there are still many more of you that haven’t had your say yet.  There’s still time to return your survey (one was recently delivered inside The Bookhams Bulletin) or to get in touch with us via our website www.bookhamvision.org.  This phase of data collection will cease on the date of the last Roadshow below. 

That does not mean this is the end of the road.  We will still need more detailed input from you later in the project. 

Change is inevitable.  It will affect all aspects of our life in the village –traffic volumes; the variety of shops ; places to eat; land usage; the provision of schooling; childcare and health services;  waste disposal; parking; policing; places to play or hang out; housing developments; and much more.  We can’t avoid or stand in the way of change but the creation of a village plan is your opportunity to influence it.  Don’t miss out.  Don’t leave it to others. Bookham Vision is the chance we have as a village to provide such a definitive view and comprehensive plan for the future of your village that Local Authorities, service providers and other agencies will find it difficult to ignore. 

The success of the village plan depends entirely on the substantive data we are able to collect to back up whatever recommendations we ultimately make on your behalf.  We will need to be able to support the plan with quantifiable data that shows we are truly representative of the population of Bookham.  So if you are a mum, a dad or a teenager, an employer or employee in Bookham, if you eat, drink or shop in Bookham, or if you walk, drive, cycle or catch a train or bus in Bookham, or merely come home here after a hard day’s work, we want to hear from you - your view counts. 

Once we understand what’s important to you, we can start to get into the detail of what needs to be fixed or delivered, and how and why.  More about that when you come and see us. 

Seize the opportunity to have a say in the future of your village.