About us

The original Sandhill Lane

For over 600 years, the originally unmade dirt track that has become Sandhill Lane was maintained on an ad-hoc basis by local land owners and farmers who used the track on foot and with horse-drawn carts.

The age of motor vehicles

As motor vehicles took over from horses in the early 1900s, the countryside track of Sandhill Lane began to show signs of damage. It was in 1963 that community-spirited residents came up with the solution to set-up a Sandhill Lane Repair Fund.

This more formal arrangement was established as a way to share the cost of improving the lane for all the residents. Residents contributed to the Fund and once enough money was raised they set about fixing and improving the road so that motor vehicles, horses and walkers could all benefit.

The residents also managed the drainage ditches and paid for ongoing maintenance to ensure their countryside lane remained in good condition.

This is a stock image. Do you have old photos of Sandhill Lane? If so, we'd love to see them - please contact us here.

The 21st Century

Today, the Sandhill Lane Residents Association (SLRA) acts as the street authority for the Lane.

We ensure that the road surface, verges and drainage ditches are suitably maintained. We also carry out activities to protect the amenity of the lane in which we have chosen to live, including acting on behalf of Members to challenge the encroachment of any new housing development which is not in keeping with the character of the Lane. We seek to take action to minimise the negative impact of any development.

Our aims are:

To manage the road and control access.
To protect the semi-rural character and amenity of the Lane.
To promote a positive sense of community amongst residents.

This includes:

Maintaining the Lane’s road surface, ditches and verges to an agreed standard.
Controlling access and use of the Lane, respecting the fact that registered Public Footpath 55W lies along it.
Erecting and maintaining appropriate signage.
Installing and maintaining traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds.
Ensuring that the costs incurred by the Association in carrying out its aims are shared equitably amongst all Frontagers according to the legal and moral principle of benefit and burden.
Protecting existing property owners from the financial cost of additional Lane repairs due to damage caused by building activity, by levying fees on such projects.
Resisting encroachment and attempts to acquire new public and private rights over the Lane.
Preventing the intrusion of new housing developments which could damage the Lane's charm, increase traffic volume, or destroy the character of our environment.
Preparing and make representation to the appropriate authorities on all matters deemed to have intruded, or deemed likely to intrude, on the environment of our Members.
Ensure that hedges and trees abutting the Lane are appropriately maintained by their owners so as not to cause damage, or risk of damage, to the Lane, other properties, vehicles or Lane users.
Preventing trespassing and illegal parking in the Lane.
Obtain professional legal advice and representation when required to protect Members' interests.
Unite residents in achieving the aims and objectives of the Association.
Provide a central point of reference and information for residents.
Promote a sense of local community and belonging.