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 who have already been in touch with Central Beds about this. They have let me know who they’ve spoken to and I am chasing them to see what action will be taken.
CHAMBERS WAY: I contacted Central Beds to ask for a reduction in speed down this road (from 30mph to 20mph), due to the proximity of the park, as well as parking restrictions around the Lilac Grove junction. Central Beds responded to say that a previous speed monitoring survey had showed low speeds on this road and that parking restrictions had been put in place some time ago so they have no plans to make any further changes. Clearly this is not in line with what residents are now experiencing so I have gone back to Central Beds to ask when the speed survey was completed as traffic flow has increased significantly over the last couple of years with new developments in and around Biggleswade. I have also asked for details of what parking restrictions have previously been implemented as I can’t see any that address the concerns over the Lilac Grove junction. I will post an update when I get a response.
SAXON DRIVE: After concerns about high traffic speeds and a lack of crossings on Saxon Drive I contacted Central Beds to see if it might be possible to address these issues. Central Beds are keen to investigate if this might be possible through S106 funds from the new 1500 home development to the East of Saxon Drive. This will need resident involvement through a petition and if anyone is keen to work with me to take this forward please get in touch.
POCKET PARK: I spoke to the town council who worked with police and the person sleeping in the pocket park has now moved on. However, I am aware of another tent appearing nearby and I will report this.
DRUG ISSUES: More drug dealing and taking problems have been brought to my attention and this is very timely as Beds police are giving these issues priority billing at the moment. I have passed on all of the intelligence to the relevant parties and I’m hoping action will be taken sooner rather than later.
KINGS REACH BUS ROAD – VENUS AVENUE: I was asked to investigate if the recently opened ‘bus only’ access road at Kings Reach was always going to be bus only and also to confirm or refute the rumour of ANPR cameras monitoring the route. I can confirm this was always planned to be a bus only route and will stay as one for the foreseeable future. ANPR cameras are monitoring the road so fines will be issued for violations.
OTHER THINGS: I have also addressed other issues such as hedges blocking pavements, inconsiderate parking on several roads, getting a road sign removed from someones garden, broken traffic lights, a bus shelter request and trying to get staggered railings installed at the end of Abbots Walk to prevent people walking or cycling through quickly and straight into the road.
If you have anything you want me to look into please get in touch.
Given there is an election on 2nd May, the following details are known as an election ‘imprint’ and are added to ensure people realise I am a candidate and all is transparent:
Promoted by Hayley Whitaker, 3 Sutton Road, Eyeworth, SG19 2TP.