HINDHEAD and Beacon Hill residents had a change to air their concerns and get updates on local issues at a “meet the mayor” event.

More than 50 people attended the Haslemere Town Council-hosted meeting for local residents and community groups at the Hindhead Royal British Legion Club, Beacon Hill, last month.

Mayor Melanie Odell introduced and chaired the meeting and topics included unplanned closures of the Hindhead Tunnel and updates on discussions between Haslemere Town Council, Thursley Parish Council, Waverley Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Police and Highways England.

The meeting heard about points raised by concerned businesses at the last public meeting held at the Punchbowl Hotel in Hindhead.

These included the response by South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt on poor mobile phone coverage and the lack of provision of an NHS dentist in the Hindhead and Beacon Hill area, as well as issues surrounding parking.

There is still a shortfall of £30,000 to be met over resurfacing the heavily potholed Boundary Road in Grayshott.

Boundary Road Residents’ Association chairman Julia Tarento spoke about its aim to raise enough funds to resurface the road which straddles the county boundary.

Although classified as a bridleway it is heavily used by doctors’ surgery patients.

A number of organisations including Haslemere Town Council have pledged funding for the resurfacing scheme to benefit surgery users.

There were also updates on flooding, particularly caused by blocked drains in Hindhead.

Haslemere Vision chairman Stewart Brown promoted the current neighbourhood plan consultation. Visit www.haslemere vision.org.uk before May 20 for more information.

Finally the meeting was opened to the floor for the public to ask questions and raise any concerns.

A number of issues were raised relating to parking, traffic speeds and road surfaces, specific planning applications, the lack of public transport connecting the surgery, proposed changes to flight paths over Hindhead, parking at Haslemere station and the density of new development in the area.

A spokesman for Haslemere Town Council said: “All of these issues were noted by councillors and will be followed up with the relevant organisations where appropriate.

“Haslemere Town Council would like to thank all of those who took the time to attend to make it a successful meeting, as well as the Hindhead Royal British Legion Club for allowing the use of their facilities.”

Further meetings will take place throughout the year.