The Sustainable Byfleet initiative is a collaboration between WEAct and local organisations passionate about enhancing biodiversity and boosting sustainable living in Byfleet, West Byfleet and Pyrford, as well as the surrounding areas. This project was launched in June 2024 by a group of Byfleet residents, with the support of WEAct, to promote eco-friendly living.
The project is led by local author Hansa Pankhania. She outlines her vision for Byfleet village in her latest book ‘BEST OF ONE WORLD – 60 STEPS TO A SUSTAINABLE, MEANINGFUL AND JOYFUL LIFE‘. Hansa is a Trustee of WEAct.
our goal
The aim of the project is to bring together the existing sustainable initiatives in Byfleet village and to develop and grow new ones.
the incredible Edible Project
The Incredible Edible movement began in Todmorden when local people, frustrated by the amount of land that was not being used, began planting vegetables for community use. We are installing two planters for Plough Green in Byfleet for this project.
Green Up High Road Project
The Incredible Edible and Gardening Groups are getting together to help businesses on High Road to add greenery to frontage courtyards. If you are a business on High Road, please get in touch. We can add raised beds to grow salads, herbs, vegetables and flowers to enhance the ambience of your business premises.
Groups of volunteers are working on Plough Green and High Road in Byfleet, West Byfleet station and surrounding area. Various planters with flowers and edibles are being planted and maintained.
The gardening group is always looking for more volunteers, so please contact us if you can spare time.
Repair Cafe
This is now a regular event, three times a year (March, July and November) at St Mary’s Centre for the Community. Please see here for more details, including dates of upcoming events.
Water Quality Testing
Thanks to the generosity of Byfleet United Charity, we have been able to test the local river water for E. coli, as well as chemicals including nitrate and phosphate, on a regular basis for the last six months as part of the Wey Water Rangers initiative run from Zero Guildford. Readers will not be surprised to learn that the results for E. coli have not been impressive. This data is shared with the Rivers Trust and will hopefully help in the ongoing fight to clean up our waters. You can access our results online here
Air Quality Testing
To complement the testing carried out by WBC in a few sites for nitrogen oxides, we would like to test for particulates, which are known to be harmful to health. This is particularly relevant in view of the proposed development at West Hall and the government’s housebuilding drive. A portable monitor that can be used for this purpose has been identified, and we are planning to write a proposal for funding from the Residents’ Association to begin testing.
Mobile Sustainable Hub
We are looking to establish an information point for the project that would offer a space for residents to come and ask questions and have conversations about the various projects. This could potentially become a recycling drop-off point, display area and meeting place – along the lines of the former WEAct hub in Woking.
These new initiatives all complement the projects already underway or planned in our village, which include:
- Free Seed Share Scheme: The Resident Association’s (RA) boxes of free seeds in Byfleet Library and in St Mary’s Centre for the Community are proving to be very popular, with stocks of seeds disappearing quickly each time the boxes are refilled. Villagers are adding their surplus seeds to the boxes. Demand is increasing!
- Quarterly Litter Picking: It is great to see how many people come along to help and we would love to see you and friends there! We are recycling empty compost bags to reduce the use of new bin liners for the litter. The date for the next litter pick is 22nd November 2025 11.00am at The Plough in Byfleet.
- Community Fridge: This was due to be run from St Mary’s Centre for the Community. Despite a few hurdles, spare food is being collected and distributed to the community once a week.
- Community Orchard: We are hopeful that the Environment Agency will find room for the small community orchard, with the support of our councillors, to be located near the end of Sanway Road in Byfleet, as part of the EA’s Sanway Byfleet Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Annual Events
PARISH DAY AND CHRISTMAS
We hold stalls on Byfleet Parish Day and around Christmas, offering sustainability information, local news, and drop-in for questions. We would love to meet you there!
Quarterly Online Talks
Hansa and Sue organise online presentations on environmental issues in March, June, September and December.
To receive notification of these, please subscribe to our mailing list below.
Here are the videos for the talks in March 2025 and June 2025.
If you are interested in joining the Sustainable Byfleet project, please email us at hello@wokingenvironmentaction.org
Come and join our team to have fun, socialise and green up Byfleet and the surrounding villages.
We look forward to hearing from you so we can all work together and put Byfleet on the national map!!!