My Son’s Graduation Day:

It was my son’s Graduation Ceremony at Salford University on 20^th July 17. He achieved a 2.1 in Business, Finance and Accounting. To say I am very, very proud of him is a totally inadequate description.

 

Mayor Dave’s Village Tour:

Mayor Dave Hodgson’s 2017 summer village tour across Bedford Borough is underway. Dave has held a village tour every summer since he was first elected in October 2009, and this year’s tour will see him holding walk-up street surgeries in 58 different villages across the Borough. Dave will be in our Ward on Monday evening – 7^th August. All of you will have had by then, leaflets advising of where we will be and at what time.

 

List of Reliable Trades People:

In my last Echo, I pointed out that there are many single and vulnerable people in my Ward, many of them elderly. I said I would like to put together a list of local tradespeople that local residents have found to be reliable and inexpensive, with their contact details. The details would be put into a FOCUS Special for distribution throughout my Ward for people to keep and use. Several residents replied with nominations and I’d like to record my thanks to those who did, but I didn’t get as many as I hoped. So I thought I would give it one more attempt. If you have used a local firm for any job and you found them reliable and inexpensive, please let me have their details for use in the FOCUS Special.

 

Local Issues: Since my last Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Echo, here are some of the local issues I have progressed, in some cases with the valued help and support of the relevant Parish Council.
Elstow

Local Shop by the Health Centre – I have put several local residents who have recently expressed an interest in buying the retail units, in touch with the developer.

 

Super Fast Broadband in Sandleford Drive and part of Croyland Drive – I arranged a Residents Meeting with two senior managers from BT Group at Borough Hall. I’m very pleased to report that following months and months of campaigning, commissioning is now planned for Aug 17 and residents will be able to order Super Fast Broadband from a provider as from Sep 17. I will be sharing further details with all affected residents as soon as possible.

 

Road Markings – I hosted a productive site meeting with a Borough Highways Officer, two Parish Councillors and a concerned local resident. This was on the High Street/Wigram Close and High Street/Wigram Close junctions. In order to make these junctions safer, it was agreed that a consultation will be done on a give way road marking at Thomas James Close and double yellow lines going into Wigram Close. My thanks to those who attended the meeting. The installation of double yellow lines at the turning circle by 15, West End and in the Emergency Vehicles area by 59, Bunyans Mead is programmed for this year.

 

Proposal for a new development – The Southill Estate Property Manager has advised me that the Estate will soon be submitting a development proposal for the land to the south of the by-pass and east of the A6. I have asked him for more details and a map.

 

Parking on West End near Red Lion – Residents have been raising their concerns regarding some parking issues in this area. Highways and Environmental Enforcement have both visited the site. Highways and the Traffic Police have both sent formal enforcement letters.

 

Adoption of Hexham Close and footpath fronting 101-115, Abbey Fields – The Aragon Housing Association Legal Team has advised they will adopt Hexham Close once the ownership of the entrance area is clarified. The Aragon Housing Association Legal Team has advised it believes 101-115, Abbey Fields is not registered as their land to adopt. Borough Highways is reviewing.

 

Fly-tipping in Elstow Brook – A resident raised their concerns with me about two shopping trolleys that had been dumped in the Brook. I arranged for their prompt removal.

 

Moot Hall fencing – These works will be completed by the end of July.

 

Abandoned cars – I am pleased to report that the car abandoned by the Elstow Hardwick cottages and the car abandoned in the B530 lay-by near the by-pass bridge have both now been removed.

 

Advice Surgeries – I have held Advice Surgeries in Croyland Drive on 17 Jun 17 and in Halesowen Drive on 22 Jul 17. My thanks to the residents who raised their issues with me.

 

Stewartby

Application to demolish the four chimneys and the kilns – A Planning Officer has contacted me to advise that the application is scheduled to be considered at Planning Committee meeting on 21 Aug 17. His current thinking is to recommend refusal, but due to the high profile of the application, he is putting it up for Planning Committee consideration rather than a delegated refusal. Whenever it takes place, I intend to speak to the Planning Committee, asking it to support a refusal. I am also in the process of arranging a meeting for me and the Parish Chair with the developer’s representative.

 

Incinerator – I am concerned that the Incinerator Community Liaison Partnership has agreed to support the Marsh Leys exit as the recommended main exit for all incinerator vehicles. Apparently, the CLP wanted to ensure vehicles were kept away from Marston Moretaine. Coming off at Marsh Leys, I believe the vehicles may be tempted to use the Broadmead Road turning.

 

Stewartby Way verge beyond the railway bridge – The contractors have done the initial re-seeding of the verge they damaged during their works.

 

Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes double glazing of 25-78 – I chased the Bursar on the progress of this. She advised that a planning application is being finalised before its submission. I have asked her for a copy of it before it is submitted to review it so it has the best chance of success.

 

Speedwatch sessions – I arranged a Speedwatch session with my local volunteers on 13 Jul 17 near Kimberley College. I am very disappointed to report that in an hour, we logged 27 vehicles as breaking the speed limit.

 

Travellers by Stewartby Lake – Following the prompt removal of the travellers, I successfully pressed O&H to install earth bunding at the entrance to the site.

 

Sub-station behind Broadmead Lower – The Head contacted me expressing her concerns about the poor condition of the sub-station’s fencing. I submitted an on-line request for UK Power Networks to repair the fencing. The Head advised a representative came the next day!

 

Kempston Hardwick

Resurfacing of Manor Road – It is now finished and I will be pressing for the early installation of the 30mph scheme.

 

Brickmakers Arms Planning Application for two generators – The original application has been withdrawn on planning officers’ advice. A new one will be submitted with improved noise management and tree planting. I am arranging a meeting with the applicants.

 

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