No final decision on Hogsmill stepping stones

Campaigners say they are optimistic about the future of popular stepping stones at a Surrey beauty spot, after the Environment Agency (EA) confirmed that no final decision had been taken on removing them.

In July it was announced that the stones on the Hogsmill River at Ewell should be replaced with a new footbridge, after fears about public safety were raised.

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said it was exploring options "for restoring and maintaining safe access", with funding for a new bridge upstream.

Jack Finnerty from Friends of Hogsmill Stepping Stones said they would like a "firm commitment" that they will be kept and that "someone" would take responsibility for managing them.

The stones, which are part of the Hogsmill Local Nature Reserve, were originally laid in 1983 and their ownership is unclear.

There were concerns that they are regularly submerged because of higher water levels on the river, while the steps are also thought to have eroded over time because of the number of dogs using them.

Previously the EA, which owns the riverbed and banks, said the preferred option was for the removal of the stepping stones, while the borough council decided not to take over responsibility for the crossing, including maintenance and associated liability.

In a Freedom of Information request submitted by the BBC, the EA said: "There has been no final decision as to the future of the stepping stones.

"However conversations are ongoing with partners and stakeholders on the matter."

Liz Frost, chair of the council's Environment Committee said it was "committed to working collaboratively" and was "actively involved in ongoing efforts to explore options for restoring and maintaining safe access across the river at this location".

She said works to improve safety included "moving gravel that had built up in the Hogsmill River, which had the effect of lowering the water levels and uncovering the stepping stones, cleaning the top of the stones to remove algae, and repairs to the steps leading down to them".

"The council has also secured funding for a new bridge further upstream, which will provide an accessible alternative crossing over the Hogsmill in addition to the stepping stones," she said.

Jack Finnerty, who started a petition to pause the removal of the crossing while other options were explored, told BBC Radio Surrey he felt the different agencies were "more open minded to keeping (the stones) and open to working together to find a solution".

"I think what we don't have yet is a firm commitment that they are definitely going to stay and someone is going to take responsibility and ownership of them," he said.

"That has always been the question that needs to be resolved.

"But there's definitely a sense of wanting to find a solution and so I think for now, the idea of them being removed is off the table."

A spokesperson for the EA said: "Like the local community, we are hoping that the stepping stones across the Hogsmill River can soon be enjoyed again.

"There are safety concerns about the stones, so access, including to steps down to the water, has been restricted.

"We want the Hogsmill to be safely enjoyed by everyone, so we are working with the South East Rivers Trust and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council to explore options for restoring and maintaining the crossing."

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