More than 2,600 people have signed a petition calling for the famous stepping stones over the River Hogsmill in Ewell to remain open.

They have been closed since October after an accident report was made to the council.

Earlier this month, the Environment Agency and Epsom and Ewell Borough Council said they were being replaced with a footbridge.

A petition launched on Change.org is calling for three things;

1) A pause on the Environment Agency’s plans to remove the stepping stones, to allow time for a community-led solution to be properly considered.

2) The opportunity for  residents to investigate forming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, or similar structure, with its own legal standing and public liability insurance, to take on responsibility for the stepping stones — directly answering the condition the Environment Agency has set.

3) Time for the outcome of the South East Rivers Trust’s gravel-clearing works at the Chamber Mead wetland confluence to be assessed, since these are expected to lower water levels at the crossing and resolve the immediate safety issue. Removing the stones before this work’s impact is known would be premature.