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Surrey weekly round-up: 25 May - 31 May 2024

Mike Lambert Mike Lambert taking a selfie in his kayak gear Mike Lambert
Mike Lambert said preparing for the challenge helped him through a difficult period

The story about a kayaker hoping to break a world record by paddling 2,000 miles around Britain in 39 days proved a popular read this week.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Surrey and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Hundreds of homes get 'do not drink water' warning

BBC/ Julia Gregory Volunteers helping give out water BBC/ Julia Gregory
Thames Water have set up bottled water stations in Bramley

More than 600 households in a Surrey village have been warned not to drink tap water after tests carried out by Thames Water following a previous fuel leak.

The water company said it was issuing the advice as a precautionary measure for properties in Bramley, where there has been concerns over several months about the spill from a petrol station.

Thames Water said "concerning results" had been identified in three areas, showing "elevated" levels of hydrocarbons, which petrol is made from.

Bramley resident Helen Melia said: "It's hugely inconvenient - hugely worrying."

Read more here

BBC Radio Surrey heard from Bramley residents.

UK's tallest rollercoaster could remain shut for two weeks

Thorpe Park A view of the rollercoaster Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park says Hyperia is the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the country

The tallest rollercoaster in the UK could remain shut for two weeks following "unforeseen circumstances".

Hyperia shut one day after it opened at Thorpe Park in Chertsey, Surrey, on 24 May - with it expected to be closed until at least Wednesday.

Now the theme park says it is "unable to commit" to reopening the ride before 8 June.

A spokesperson said: "We will continue to do everything in our power to open the ride earlier."

Read more here

Residents in temporary accommodation after fire

HANDOUT Flames at the flats on Wednesday evening HANDOUT
Flames could be seen coming from the flats on Wednesday evening

Residents whose homes are near a Surrey shopping centre are in temporary accommodation after a fire broke out at the complex.

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service received reports of a blaze at an apartment block attached to The Heart shopping centre, in Walton-on-Thames, at about 18:25 BST on Wednesday.

The area was evacuated and no-one was injured. At least 12 people are in temporary accommodation due to fire damage.

The fire service said the blaze, which was believed to have started in a second-floor flat, was accidental.

Read more here

Vote of no confidence for university's management

SLIDESHOW BOB The University of Surrey campusSLIDESHOW BOB
Union members have been angered by the axing of more than 140 university jobs

The University of Surrey is facing a demand to withdraw a threat of job cuts after staff and students delivered an overwhelming vote of no confidence in its management team.

The university is proposing a series of cost savings, including a redundancy program which the University and College Union (UCU) says will lead to the loss of 140 jobs.

In a UCU ballot, 97% of voters said they had no confidence in Surrey's vice-chancellor Professor Max Lu, its provost Professor Tim Dunne and the executive board.

A university spokesperson said it was "not immune to the unprecedented financial pressures facing the UK's higher education sector".

Read more here

Businesses sceptical over high street plans

Julia Gregory/BBC Fountain SquareJulia Gregory/BBC
Surrey County Council has halted its original plans after campaigns from locals and business owners

Business owners in a Surrey village have said they are still sceptical about a "ridiculous" high street improvement project and fear it will "cut off trade".

Surrey County Council (SCC) put forward a scheme to make Cranleigh “safer and more attractive”.

The plans, which include pedestrianising Fountain Square, removing free parking and introducing raised traffic tables, were halted after a group launched a petition against them.

SCC said it would continue to work with residents and businesses on the plans to "create a welcoming environment that supports the local economy".

Read more here

BBC Radio Surrey heard Cranleigh's business owners

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