This morning I noticed a thread on WLB about a very poor pothole repair in Ivel Gardens by resident Jeremy Wallace who also posted the pics below. I contacted CBC immediately (7am – my earliest e.mail yet!) and they promised to look into it. It was great to get an e.mail just over an hour later informing me that this was a temporary repair as parked cars prevented the work being done. It will now be completed next week and ‘No parking’ cones will be placed on the road to ensure they have full access. Other people were also mentioning other roads with issues so I have asked them to…
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SPEEDING ON BADEN POWELL WAY, KINGS REACH.
I wanted to update residents on my progress on speeding in Baden Powell Way after several useful communications with CBC. The main issue preventing the installation of any speed restrictions is that Baden Powell Way is currently still owned by the developers and has yet to be adopted by CBC. Adoption of the road is imminent but linked to the new 1500 home development to the East of the road. I have made enquiries about the timescale and deterrents that might be implemented until the road is adopted and I am meeting with the Highways Officer next week to discuss this further. Given the speed of cars detected in the…
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THE BAULK ONE WAY SYSTEM
The temporary one way system on The Baulk has been in place since the bridge repairs and is a mish-mash of sandbags and temporary signs that are confusing and often result in people going the wrong way. I have now confirmed with CBC that works will begin in June to make this one way system permanent. Attached are the plans although the island at Drove Rd/The Baulk will be slightly reduced in the revised (Final) drawings next week to facilitate turning movements for the end property access. This is much needed progress for The Baulk residents and the town as a whole.
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Traffic lights outside the Yorkshire Grey, London Road repaired.
One of the traffic lights outside the Yorkshire Grey has been broken for quite a while, despite being previously reported by a resident. I suspect they broke again soon after a repair. I reported this to Central Bedfordshire Council and it was repaired by Tuesday evening. They seem to have remained working since then.
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WE WON – THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTES!
Firstly, I just wanted to say a massive thank you to every single one of you that voted for me on May 2nd. I have been incredibly touched by your congratulatory e.mails, messages, tweets, likes and very kind comments so thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I said many times on the doorstep that we expected it would be very close and in the end just 211 votes separated the top three candidates. As a result my first ever count was a very nerve-wracking experience indeed and I’m relieved we knew the result so early in the day as many other wards took much longer. An…
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HOW DOES BIGGLESWADE GET FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE?
When a town like Biggleswade needs money for infrastructure it often looks to promote new development in order to foot the bill. All new builds are subject to a Section 106 levy (often shortened to S106). These funds are paid by the developer to the council to fund any works required to local infrastructure as a result of the new homes. This can include schools, doctors, playing fields, roads cemetery and allotment improvements, leisure facilities…almost anything in the community that’s a ‘capital project’ – so new or improved buildings or facilities. WHAT COMES FIRST, THE BUILDING OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE? For most large planning applications there will be a milestone that…
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ACCESS FOR ALL ON KINGS REACH
While canvassing on Kings Reach I met Phil Button who has been campaigning tirelessly for improved accessibility on the Kings Reach estate. The issues he raises don’t only impact on those with mobility issues, but also anyone with a pushchair or sight problems. There are a number of streets, such as Maunder Avenue, where there is simply no pavement and I found myself walking in the road for fear of upsetting any householders (I wasn’t sure if it was part of their front garden!) but I can easily see how it would become a rutted and a trip hazard in the summer and a muddy quagmire in the winter. If…
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UPDATES ON ACTIONS FROM THE EASTER WEEKEND
After a very busy Easter weekend canvassing I thought I’d provide an update on things I’ve been doing so far plus a further update on previous actions. ST. MARGARETS GARDENS: The pavement and road here is full of craters and very uneven. This is a huge concern for anyone using it and particularly the largely elderly population of this road. Central Beds have now agreed to send someone to assess this for repair. BUS STATION SIGNAGE: Several people mentioned to me about the lack of signage in the town centre making it impossible for drivers new to our town to locate the bus station. I have contacted the town council…
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HOW CAN AN INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR IMPROVE POLICING IN BIGGLESWADE?
I’m delighted to see the Biggleswade PCSO’s are planning to meet residents in the town this weekend as one of my key aims if I’m elected is to work for an increase in visible policing. Visible policing will act as a deterrent to prevent crime. This proactive, rather than reactive, approach will reduce the number of criminals are coming into Biggleswade to conduct crimes. Our lack of policing means Biggleswade is viewed as an ‘easy target’ and this needs to change. POLICE STATION CLOSURE Back in 2014 an announcement was made that, alongside other Beds stations, Biggleswade police station was to close in order to save money on police…
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HOW COULD WE IMPROVE BIGGLESWADE TOWN CENTRE?
Even with its amazing potential, some lovely historical buildings and very friendly people our town centre is in decline. The sudden closure of the Stratton House Hotel, a cornerstone of the town, came as a shock to many and yet there are so many other businesses on the brink. Talking to business owners the retail park and vastly reduced footfall in the town (attributed to the parking charges) are often cited as reasons that are contributing to the problem. I have been talking to local businesses about these issues and how we might address them. The rise in internet shopping has seen the decline in high streets everywhere but some…