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SCAN'S HOME PAGE

Spelthorne Committee for Access Now (SCAN) is an Independent Group of local Volunteers who live in the Borough of Spelthorne.

There are links to certain pages on the left side of these pages. If you have any comments about the pages or the information they contain please email the web manager

Support SCAN for free when shopping online with over 500 popular retailers, including Amazon, M&S, John Lewis, Debenhams, HMV, Woolworths and many more.

The following link will allow you to register with SCAN as your chosen group. www.easyfundraising.org.uk/spelthorneaccessnow.

There is also a search facility provided on a sister site

Please help SCAN to make a difference in the local community.

MOVE OF POST OFFICE COUNTERS TO WH SMITHS.
At the beginning of February the Main Post Office in Staines closed and the counters service was transferred to WH Smiths. SCAN members have had many concerns about this, but the move was presented as a ‘fait accompli’ by the post office.

We had preliminary discussions with the manager of WH Smiths and had hoped to set up a meeting before the move took place to ensure that any refurbishment took on board our concerns but unfortunately this wasn’t possible. However some of our members have been able to unofficially ‘oversee’ the work and would have been prepared to step in to comment if appropriate.

Our members are continually monitoring the service as users and we hope to be able to meet with the management in the near future to discuss the issues that have come to light to date. We are concerned about the overcrowding not only at the back of the store where the post office counters have been located but at the front of the store where there are counters near the entrance.

We have had reports of people having to regularly wait in the queue for 15 – 20 minutes before they can get served. Also reports of the customers having difficulty getting beyond the front of the store because the queue for the counters at the front of the store are blocking the aisle.

We have grave concerns about whether the service will be able to cope come Christmas time when even the main post office had queues out of the doors onto the High Street.

A questionnaire was sent out to selected local people with our February newsletter. If you didn’t receive a copy but have used the PO counter service in WH Smiths and wish to comment, copies of the questionnaire should be available in Staines Shopmobility or send your comments to me, Lesley Windle, Vice Chair, SCAN, 31 Riverside Close, Staines TW18 2LW, email info@scanweb.org.

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Pavement Obstructions and Access Issues
SCAN members liaise with the Surrey County Council's Highways department about the obstruction of pavements and maintenance issues.

Do you have problems with traders obstructing the pavement in your area, or other problems such as badly parked vehicles or overhanging trees,

Please let us know about any of the above or if you have any problems accessing restaurants or shops. SCAN members may be able to offer advice to the owner/manager on your behalf to seek a resolution.

We have produced Access Guide for Staines that was issued in 2004, but it is an ongoing project, so we need to know about any changes or additional information (praising or shaming) about any of the premises mentioned in the Guide or on the web site. Please Contact Us

What We Do
All members have an interest in accessibility issues for the disabled, some have physical or sensory impairments themselves. Take a look at the page Who We are to find out how and when our group was formed. We also produce a quarterly newsletter that contains updates on local forumsand what's happening with highway and road works that may affect you if you have a disability.

Where We Are
Much of Spelthorne is situated on the banks of the River Thames and inludes the towns of Ashford, Shepperton, Staines and Sunbury. Staines is about 20 miles from central London. Runnymede is only a few miles away and Windsor is only about 15 minutes away by train or car. London's Heathrow Airport is also close by.

Staines can be reached by South West Train services from London Waterloo to Guildford, Reading Windsor & Eton (approx. 40 minutes) or via the M25/A30 - Junction 13.

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Do you Care for someone who is infirm or has a disability? Are you aware of these Community Organisations?
Action for Carers and Employment (ACE)
Carer's Support Spelthorne
Community Forums - Spelthorne
Runnymede Short Term Breaks
Spelthorne Crossroads

If not, visit the Community Groups page to find out more.

Are you aware of these Archived News Items?
Accessible Trains by 2025 and Accessible Taxis by 2020
Access for Disabled People to Arts Premises - New Book Release
BayWatch Campaign –'There's No Excuse for Parking Abuse'
Directory Enquiry Service 195 unchanged
Is There An Accessible Loo (ITAAL)
National Accessible Scheme for UK Tourism
New 'Emergency Alert' Pilot Scheme for Carers in Spelthorne - www.carersnet.org.uk
Possible Government review of insurance cover for mobility vehicles.
Royal Association For Disability And Rehabilitation (RADAR) Launch New Publication Leisure Time – Days Out
Shaping the Future of Your Local Health Services
The Selfish Pig's Guide to Caring - A Book by Hugh Marriott
Shaping the Future of Your Local Health Services
VAT Relief on New Car Purchases for Wheelchair Users

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The Web Manager thanks the following for providing links to SCAN's web site on their own sites.

Spelthorne Branch