Dear Resident
This is the latest of my regular electronic community newsletters from me as your local Liberal Democrat Borough Councillor.
Ward Wide Issues:
– As most of you know, I am hoping to move to 4, Kitchener Place, Stewartby in what now looks like sometime around the end of January. This of course does not affect my ability to continue to serve ALL the residents of my Ward to the best of my ability.
Local Issues
Since my last Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Echo, I have amongst other local issues progressed the following raised by residents, in some cases with the help of the relevant Parish Council:
Elstow
- Proposed changes to Elstow Post Office – I have received a consultation letter from the Post Office Area Manager regarding its proposed changes to the Post Office. This is good news as you will remember it was under threat of closure around three years ago. The changes involve making it into a modern open plan retail outlet and utilising part of the adjoining cottage. Whilst the proposals are good news on its future, any changes need to be carefully designed to minimise the impact on the village heritage.
- Increasing leaf fall from Pear Tree View green area – Many residents had advised me of their concerns on the sheer amount of leaf fall clogging up private gardens and drains. I reported this to the relevant departments at Borough Hall and work has been undertaken to assess the extent of the problem and to see what might be done about it.
- Moss on Bunyans Mead public area footpaths – Many residents had raised with me their concerns on the moss spreading across these footpaths. At my request, BPHA are dealing with the issue.
- Overgrown shrubs outside Wadsworth Court – Local residents had contacted me regarding the untidy state of the shrubs and bushes outside 19-22, Wadsworth Court. I have asked the Borough Arboricultural Team to raise this issue with the landowners.
- Parking in Wadsworth Court area – Local residents had advised me of their concerns regarding the lack of availability of parking spaces for residents. I am consulting with residents to identify the scale of the concern and to ask for their suggestions on what might be done to resolve any concerns.
- Abbey Fields access road resurfacing – After much work by Cllr Charles Royden and I, the much needed resurfacing of this section of the road is in the programme for 2015.
- Inappropriate use of the public highway on Lynn Close by a business – I am working with the Borough Planning enforcement team to resolve this issue.
- Speeding on West End – After pressure from myself, the local Police’s Traffic Management Officer has agreed to install a speed measuring tool called a Databox for seven working days this month to undoubtedly provide the evidence the police need to take enforcement action.
Stewartby
- Stewartby Park Phase 1 planning application – On Tuesday 23rd December, I received a phone call from a Persimmon Homes representative advising that they had just put in the detailed planning application for Phase 1 of Stewartby Park. Nice timing! Phase 1 is the area to the east of Broadmead Road and surrounds Broadmead Lower School. The representative advised they were going to send the Parish Council Clerk and I copies of the planning application’s documentation so that it can be on the Agenda of the Parish Council meeting on 22 Jan 15 at 7.15pm at the Village Hall. I have received my copy of the documentation. I am in the process of arranging meetings with the Persimmon Homes Director and other representatives of theirs, Borough Planning and Parish Council representatives, to have informed discussions on the application. This is arguably the biggest thing to hit Stewartby since the village was first built, so we need to make sure we get our responses right i.e. That any such responses are based on planning criteria. Borough Planning have advised me that the timescale for the Borough Planning Committee giving a decision on it is likely to be 26 Mar 15. I will be doing my very best over the next few weeks to make sure that local residents are able to give their views on the application.
- Average Speed Cameras on Stewartby Way – The Police are STILL reviewing all the certifications and paperwork (e.g. location drawings, traffic orders, camera certificates etc.) before they will start enforcement!! I have chased for details of when the period ends, but with still no response so far. I am still getting e-mails from residents commenting on how effective the cameras are just by being there. I am also still working with Borough Officers and the Portfolio Holder on seeing what, if any, impact is of these speed cameras on Pillinge Road, Rousbury Road and Montgomery Close.
- Travellers Site and vehicle-related issues on Manor Road – I have arranged a meeting for local non-site residents at the Chimney Corner Pub at 5pm on 26 Jan 15. Borough officers who deal with these issues have kindly agreed to attend.
- Park Crescent No Verge Parking – As per normal process, the Borough Council are to distribute a consultation letter sometime this month with a view to implementing the scheme in Feb/Mar 15. You may remember me distributing my own consultation leaflet. Of those responding to mine, 100% supported the scheme.
- Broadmead Road speeding – Regrettably, I still have not received any response to my request to the local police to take action on vehicles speeding along Broadmead Road by the IDB building.
- Street lights on the Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes – Following resident’s concerns at the lights not coming on at the right times during the dark winter months, I worked with the Trust to resolve this issue.
Contact me
Please don’t hesitate to contact me on any local issue by any of the following means:
Cllr Tim Hill
Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Borough Councillor for Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick
Tel (day): 0131 448 4270
Tel (eve): 01234 857180
Mobile: 07910100240
Email: tim.hill@bedford.gov.uk
Web site: http://timhill.mycouncillor.org.uk/ or http://bedfordlibdems.org.uk/en/page/elstow-and-stewartby
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