Dear Resident

 

 

This is the latest of my regular electronic community newsletters I have just sent to local residents I have an e-mail address for.

If you would like to receive it by e-mail, please let me know.

 

Ward Wide issues

Broadband provision – I have arranged a meeting later this month with the local BT Broadband Project Manager, the Council Broadband Project Manager and her line manager. The aim of the meeting is to clarify exactly what each Project “Phase” means and what “BT Commercial Rollout” means. I will then press to bring forward any large estate that is currently late in the Project.

 

Local Issues

Since my last Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Echo, here are just some of the issues I have progressed, sometimes with the help of the relevant Parish Council:

Elstow

a)     Retail unit on Abbey Fields next to the Health Centre – I am still working with two different people who have expressed an interest in developing a retail unit. I arranged a meeting for one of them with the Mayor and work is following on from that.

b)     Bunyans Mead tree maintenance – The residents of 71-75, Bunyans Mead had raised their concerns with me regarding the maintenance of the trees and shrubbery that back on to their properties. After consultation with the Parish Clerk and Borough Property, I approached Southill Estates. They advised it is the land is rented by 174 High Street. The family there very kindly liaised with the residents and have pruned the trees and shrubbery where needed.

c)     Condition of 17, Bunyans Mead – At the last Parish Council meeting, concern was raised about the exterior condition and general maintenance of 17, Bunyans Mead, Elstow. This includes the rubble nearby from the property. I raised this with Planning Enforcement and they have given the owner a deadline to reply with what their plans are.

d)     Turn left at Cow Bridge traffic lights – At the moment, when the traffic is leaving West End, the lights are shown as red to traffic coming from Ampthill Road that wishes to turn left into West End. I am discussing with the relevant Director and Cllr Royden my proposal that for the traffic coming from Ampthill Road that wishes to turn left into West End, the lights should be green when the traffic is leaving West End.

e)     Street lights not working – I have successfully asked for a street light at the back of Wadsworth Court to be repaired. I have asked for one in Little Townsend Close to be repaired.

f)      Potholes – The potholes in South Avenue have been filled in. I have also asked for potholes in Hillesden Avenue and Church End to be filled in.

g)     Field between 20, Romsey Way and Elstow Lodge – Residents of Romsey Way have reported Environmental Health issues arising from this field. I have asked the Borough’s Environmental Health and Environmental Enforcement teams to investigate.

 

Stewartby

a)     Speeding on Stewartby Way – At my request, the Borough Council is installing Average Speed Cameras on Stewartby Way sometime soon. This will take the average speed of all vehicles travelling between two points (to be agreed) on Stewartby Way. Any speeding vehicles will be prosecuted. We are now at the final stages of this. Bidwells, O&Hs land agent, have asked the Borough for a larger map for the one piece of their land that the equipment is going on, just to confirm the dimensions etc.

b)     Double glazed windows for the Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes – None of the sources of grants in the package put together by the fund-raising consultant appointed by the Trust are apparently 100% ideal for this sort of work. This is a great shame as this work is much needed by the residents. I had asked the Chair of the Trustees for a meeting with the grants consultant with no response. I had asked the Borough Conservation officer to raise the lack of a response at an officer to officer level, but he got no response either. I have re-chased the Chair of the Trustees for a response, but am not hopeful of one. I will continue chasing the Trust and will be exploring avenues to get a response.

c)     Travellers Site – There are ongoing issues from the site affecting residents in the Parish and in Houghton Conquest. A site meeting took place with two Borough Officers and representatives of the site tenants. At my request, an extensive clean of the site took place on 3rd April 2014 with the help of some site residents. I will be arranging another meeting for non-site residents soon.

d)     Stewartby Park – Concern was raised at the last Parish Council meeting about the work being done near Kitchener Place, despite the development not having its final planning permission conditions signed-off. After conversations with Planning, I can confirm that any developer can start preparatory work on a development prior to planning permission, but it is completely at their own risk.

 

My Borough Council Ward Fund for 2013/14

Ward Fund

My Borough Council Ward Fund amount for 2014/15 has still to be agreed, but here are some ideas for it. Please let me have your feedback on these and any other ideas you have. They are in my personal order of priority within each Parish:

Elstow

–        Contribution to Wadsworth Court preventative measures (and a contribution from Parish Council) – £xxx.

–        Contribution to any works arising from Wilstead Road speed survey – £xxx.

–        Contribution to refurbishment of John Bunyan birthplace sign and Festival of Britain stone (if full cost not met by Rural Affairs grant and a contribution from Parish Council) – £xxx.

–        Contribution to Abbey Fields speed survey (and a contribution from Parish Council) – £xxx.

–        Replacement of broken fence panel in Croyland Drive – £xxx

Stewartby

–        Average Speed Cameras Scheme in Stewartby Way (Licence with O&H) – £225.

–        Contribution towards a flashing speed sign that the Parish Council may be purchasing – £xxx.

–        Replacement of pavement slabs outside Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes – £xxx

 

Best wishes

Cllr Tim Hill

Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Borough Councillor for Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick

tel day: 0131 448 4270

tel eve: 01234 857180
email: tim.hill@bedford.gov.uk

 

A stronger economy, a fairer society, enabling everyone to get on in life.

 

 

 

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