The bad weather and its effect on the roads
Leave the first response March 13, 2010 / Posted in GeneralThings that affect us all
Despite the Boundary Committee recommending to the government that the best way of governing Norfolk in the future is by way of ‘The Single County Unitary Council’. The government has decided to implement the original City of Norwich single council proposal which would leave the rest of Norfolk as two/three tier administration, which is economically a backward step for Norfolk as a whole. Leaving all services in Norwich to be run by Norwich with their history of poor management. These points plus the Norwich case being an expensive and questionable option have been made to no avail. Thus after all the aggravation and expense we have ended up with a solely political solution
When campaigning I did not come across anybody who wanted to be involved in the Norwich solution as everybody fears that over time Norwich will seek to extend its boundaries into the suburbs to gain greater economies of scale and influence. This is also bad news for the rest of the county as one can see Norwich being the centre of investment in the County and the outlying districts will come off worst.
The decision is still subject to a possible judicial review and even the governments own advisors say that there is a good prospect of a successful legal challenge. Additionally there is a severe time constraint on the government in its attempt to get the order through parliament and finally the Lords may just ‘throw a spoke in the wheel’
The Northern Distributor Route has taken a major step forward
Government backing for the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) to the A140 and the release of £21m for the improvement of the Postwick junction, where the NDR joins the A47, has been warmly welcomed
This is great news for Norfolk and especially for businesses and residents to the north and east of Norwich. The release of the £21m for the Postwick Hub will, subject to planning consents*, allow work on this critical improvement to start early in the New Year.
The Northern Distributor Road will bring much needed traffic relief to our communities, deliver access improvements to a wide area of north and north-east Norfolk, and open up exciting opportunities for further public transport improvements, such as Bus Rapid Transit and enhanced cycling and walking routes, for Norwich.
It also means that the greater Norwich area will be much better placed to cope with the major growth in housing and employment that is anticipated in the years ahead.
Although ‘programme entry**’ is for the NDR as far as the A140 Norwich to Cromer Road, NCC will continue to progress proposals for the scheme to the A1067 Norwich to Fakenham Road.”
Our Parish Councils work hard to represent the concerns of their local communities. As your County Council member I attend Parish Councils and then represent their views at the County Council. Some recent issues have included:
Every where I have been has been pleased with The County Councils efforts in keeping the main roads open and passable during the extended bout of bad weather. But now repair of potholes is a major issue on which the transport maintenance department are working hard.
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Frettenham |
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· Affordable school transport for children attending Broadland High School where this is their choice, but not their allocated school, is now being provided and the bus is full · I fully support FAD, Frettenham against the development of housing on the old gas yard site. As this development is not sustainable in a community like ours · The recent bad weather has highlighted the problems on Hall road and it now gets attention from the gritting team |
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Hainford |
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· A key topic is the new Mineral, Extraction and Waste Plan – Public consultation has started, and Lafarge visited the parish Council meeting to explain the background to their request for more workings. The PC being concerned about the problems of heavy traffic on Waterloo lane.
The Pc is also concerned about speeding on Waterloo rd, which seems to be from camera evidence, the worst road in the division, Newton Rd. is also being monitored. · The need for 30mph limit on Spixworth Rd. is also being revisited.
The reflective traffic bollards near the school will remain for the time being although they were due to be removed |
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Hevingham |
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· I have advised the Highways Dept that the promised No Entry sign for the lay-by near the church has not yet been implemented. I have also asked that the lorry exit route from the new lay-by is reviewed · I’ve asked the Cabinet member responsible for transport and roads to have a look at the issue of the crossing on the A140. If all schools that have students using buses here identify this as a key crossing for the bus stops, this will help the case.
The cabinet member indicates that the site remains in the top 20 for review , but finding a cost effective and safe solution will be difficult, I will keep on the case
Westgate Street, the Parish Council have been asked to get local residents views on the possibility of a one way system, but this has been rejected as it could also speed up traffic · West gate rd. The residents are concerned about the parking on the road which is a un maintained road giving access to the school together with being a public footpath. Some sensitive discussions are required with the school and parents · The school in conjunction with the county Council is going to update its travel plan as while NCC has proposed new footways around the green the PC wants parking improved. The school thinks that this would help the general safety of the area and the use of the proposed footpath. · New rd. is a problem and the council will be cutting back the verges as soon as possible to help reduce the problem of mud on the road
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Spixworth |
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· Post Office, the unexpected closure of the Post Office continues to cause concern to many in the area. I am supporting your Parish Clerk in lobbying the national Post Office to quickly reopen this Post Office branch – Our lobbying has proved successful and we hope to have a Post Office again by 29th March, there will be longer opening hours and better access · The footpath improvements in Lillian Road are complete · The County Council will implement flood prevention improvements at Godfrey Road, to complete at latest by end March 2011 · I have recently asked the Highways Department to look again at the junction at Buxton Road and Church Lane and the Cabinet member for transport and roads is also looking into this. Since the hedge trimming to open up visibility there have been no further reported accidents. With the positive progress on the NDR, this will eventually alleviate traffic at this junction · The planning application for the new site for engine testing at the airport had been discussed by the PC See also St Faiths’ · The proposed monitoring of HGV traffic on Crostwick Lane by trading standards is awaiting provision of funding by the County Council, which is difficult given the current financial situation |
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St Faiths |
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· In response to complaints about parking in proximity to the school and crematorium, Highways Dept advises that as people are only able to park on the school side of the road, a general self regulation of speed causes traffic to slow down. Time based flashing lights were discussed, but have not proved very successful elsewhere, however the debate continues. · I have visited the site and could see that it would appear to be beneficial if the bollards on the opposite side of the road to the school were extended further towards the village. As vehicles were parking on the unprotected verge. I have asked the parish Council for their views · The council is proposing that over a three year period most street lights in the county will be turned off from midnight to 6 am. The first lights to be involved in the division are some of those in Newton and Horsham St Faiths’. The council is consulting on the issue and you should either let us know or tell you parish Council · The Airport is applying to move its engine testing site. The PC does not object to the re-siteing but wants better than proposed noise mitigation measures, to the level of Stanstead
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Stratten Strawless |
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· Parish Road Bridge spraying has been completed in order to keep vigorous woody plant growth under control. This has been successful · Having discussed the crossing to the bus stop, outside the Hall, with the Highways Dept this is now on the list for assessment from Highways specialists, however as there have been no recorded accidents at this junction, in the last five years, this location has been allocated a lower priority · The PC is concerned over the extent of the proposed sewage works, not extending far enough in Shorthorn road |
Day Care Centres
Possible changes to Day Centre provision for the elderly across Norfolk are causing a great deal of concern.
This is not a cost cutting proposal, but one that will help to focus on providing good services for the increasing number of us that succumb to dementia, and those of us who become very frail and our families and loved ones who support us through these difficult times.
These changes will also continue to provide appropriate care via the voluntary sector for those with other needs.
Transport for our college students
Naturally as I represent a rural division I am pleased that the Cabinet has decided to continue to support transport subsidies for our post 16 students to use public transport to get to college.
