Shepreth issues
Police and traffic issues update
Two recent meetings, the Neighbourhood Police Panel and the Speeding Summit, provided a forum to bring local concerns to attention.
At the July 21st Neighbourhood Police Panel, news announced included the imminent departure of PCSO Emma Garwood, who is moving on to training as a Police Constable. We do not know when we will see a replacement come in for Emma, to join PCSO Lee Nutbeam, though the question was asked. There is some concern as the number of applicants does not match the number of PCSOs leaving, on a district-wide basis. Police acknowledge the important of staying on top of anti social behaviour issues during the summer months.
The problem of overweight lorries (often from abroad) venturing across the restricted Mill Bridge at Shepreth was raised. Susan will ask if a new weight restriction sign can be placed on the approach to the bridge from Fowlmere Road.
At the Speeding Summit, we listened to a lot of reasons as to why speed limits cannot be reduced in a simple manner. For example, police and County officials want speed limits to be enforceable, so that speed limit reductions must be accompanied by ‘environmental changes’; and there is considerable expense even for minor changes, due to a variety of legal requirements. The audience of parish, district and county councillors was determined, however, to get the message across that something must be done. Reducing speed limits to 50 MPH along dangerous A roads (like the A10 at Frog End) was a view expressed by many. Great interest resulted in a demonstration of a Community Speedwatch project recently piloted in the Soham area.
Car Scheme: still up and running
Residents may have noticed in the Shepreth church newsletter an advert for a volunteer to take over the administrative job of running the Shepreth Car Scheme - a volunteer service to help elderly and disabled residents unable to drive to get to essential appointments. The admin job involves fielding phone calls and organising drivers for individual runs.
Sadly there was no response to the advert. However, residents should be reassured to know that the scheme has now been incorporated into the Royston and District Community Transport scheme. This scheme has a paid administrative post and a fleet of volunteer drivers who donate their time free of charge. Passengers contribute 45 pence per mile; the minimum charge is £3.50 per journey. The scheme also operates a wheelchair-accessible 12/16 seat minibus and a four-six seat Multi-Purpose Vehicle.
The service can be used for health care appointments, day centres, special needs clubs, social purposes and shopping. It means that you should be just as well served as you were under the old scheme.
If you require a lift - or would like to volunteer as a driver - please text or phone 01763-245228 between 9AM and 3PM Monday to Friday; an answer phone will take a message if the phone is unmanned. (Please don’t be put off by the answer phone - it does get checked regularly!) You can also email the service at rct1@totalise.co.uk.
Free bus for Shepreth students attending Melbourn Village College
Free school transport to Melbourn Village College, for students living in Shepreth, was secured two years ago when Susan and a group of Shepreth residents persuaded the County Council that the designated ‘Safe Route to School’ over the A10 junction at Frog End, was in fact unsafe. Free coach service was arranged, to continue until such time as a safe pedestrian A10 crossing is in place.
Please contact the County’s Education Transport Section on 01223-717772 to find out how to apply.
Wouldn’t it be good? With the summer holidays ahead, wouldn’t it be good if children could have the freedom to play and have fun in ways that their parents might remember doing before the days of red tape and today’s health and safety bonanza? Susan has been talking to young people in Shepreth about their wish to create BMX bike jumps on a field somewhere. She is now in contact with the County Council regarding pockets of land it may feel able to provide for this purpose. Realistically, this is unlikely to happen as soon as we’d like - but it’s a start and we’ll keep at it.
Shepreth: parking difficulties at Barron’s Green
Residents without on-site parking in Barron’s Green have been facing the prospect of nowhere to park when they arrive home from work. Parking spaces are limited and certainly the arrangement was not designed for the 21st century age of multiple cars in one household. While there is garage and parking space provided by the District Council tucked away behind the Green, residents are understandably nervous about leaving their vehicles out of view. Susan has met on site with District Council officers on several occasions to investigate possible alternative layouts. A proposed layout scheme went to a public consultation, but Susan was disappointed that not all Barron’s Green residents were included in the exercise, which offered the possibility of tandem parking. In any event, responses to that consultation were too few to warrant action. Susan has asked for a wider consultation, but it is uncertain as to whether this will go ahead. She will keep residents posted. At the end of the day, whatever the scheme (and there could be no change at all), the District Council has no power to enforce how parking spaces are used.
EDF leaves its mark in Foxton and Shepreth
Residents in Foxton and Shepreth could hardly have missed the maintenance work carried out by EDF Energy in the late winter and early spring months. While improvements to infrastructure are of course welcome, there was disappointment in EDF’s failure to leave grass verges in the same state they were found. As District Councillor for Shepreth, Susan has written to the company to express concern and request repair to grass verges.
Frog End council houses
Residents have inquired as to progress (or lack thereof) at 74-76 Frog End, where two council houses have been vacant and awaiting refurbishment since the spring of 2006. Since the Cabinet decision to refurbish the two houses as equity share properties in December 2006, Susan has regularly asked the South Cambs Housing Department for updated information to report to residents via the Parish Council. The latest reply from Mr Stephen Hills is that, “the position at the moment remains that the current Cabinet decision still stands but there are difficulties in financing this decision. Given that there will be a new Portfolio Holder after 1st May I will discuss this with them to see how they want to take it forward. Should there be any decision to review the Cabinet decision then the Parish Council will of course be involved as appropriate.”
At the Annual Council meeting in late May, Cllr Simon Edwards took up the Housing Portfolio. We now await further information as to progress at 74-76 Frog End.
WI litter picking
Residents may be aware that for years, the Shepreth WI has held an annual spring litter pick in the village, resulting in a very pleasing result for everyone who lives here. This spring the task of litter picking along the A10 and Dunsbridge Turnpike proved too onerous, due to the large amount of litter and also the weight of certain items. Sadly, the litter remains there.
Susan has contacted the District Council’s Environmental Health Department to explain that this voluntary service has been provided for a long time, but that council assistance is now required. Fingers crossed; she will keep you posted.
