20’s Plenty Near Heathlands

A typical public event with Murray Harlow towering over the others

New Church Road
L-R Rachel Hopkins (teacher – Heathlands), Jeremy Hallam (headteacher – Heathlands), Aaron Monks (winner – age 9), Cllr Anne Brown (Essex County Councillor), John Gili-Ross (Parish Council – Chair of Environment), Mrs Monks (Aaron’s Mum), Murray Harlow (Parish Council – Communications), Harry Stone (Parish Council – Vice Chair & Transport Rep), Chris Stevenson (Chairman Parish Council)

20’s Plenty Near Heathlands

Improving traffic safety in our villages and schools can take some time but West Bergholt Parish Council has shown it is worth the effort. Over a three-year period the village produced and introduced a Traffic Safety Plan. It did this working in partnership with Essex County Council, Heathlands primary school and village residents.

A series of road safety measures were agreed and Continue reading “20’s Plenty Near Heathlands”

September 14, 2016September 14, 2016

New Speeding & Parking Initiative

Following the recent Traffic Safety Group meeting, a new initiative has been launched to help reduce parking & speeding issues in and around West Bergholt. Based on a free community safety App, Trygve, users can share and receive local incident information in real time. This information can be as detailed as you want including pictures and GPS location but should always include:

Date.
Time.
Where (did it happen).
What (was the issue).

Using the App will allow the group to measure the number of incidents and identify hot spots.

Already in use in many communities in the UK, a Neighbourhood watch coordinator using it in his community has said:

The app has not only been good at creating a community, but we have also been able to help with a few incidents of anti-social behaviour and thefts, by being able to pass more information onto police. It can help map any crime trends, and make users aware of areas they may want to be more alert.

It is an easier and quicker way for the community to communicate with each other as Facebook is not as instant as this app, nor can it use GPS as accurately. I am proud to co-ordinate our group and use my skills from my job to share more safety tips.

You can download Trygve to Android or iPhone devices; there is also a mobile friendly web-version for other mobiles and devices.

September 9, 2016September 10, 2016

Traffic Safety Progress

As a result of concerns about the safety of traffic in the village expressed at a recent Parish Council meeting a group consisting of Parish Councillors, Borough Councillors and village residents has been formed and met to consider what actions we can take to improve safety on our roads in the village. The aim is to produce a plan with a strategy for actions that will be adopted by the Parish Council and lead to residents feeling more safe as they move around the village.

The Parish Council approved a Traffic Safety Plan in September 2012 with the objective of dealing with such issues mainly in the area of the school. After reviewing progress on this plan the new group hopes to have revised proposals to put to the village for consultation.

You can read the 2012 plan here but in brief the vision was:

The Parish Council has a vision for the future travel environment in the village where walking and cycling become the preferred modes of travel, that traffic levels and parking do not dominate our village and that the safety of adult and child pedestrians remains paramount.

The strategy for achieving the Aims and Objectives of this plan included:

Restricting parking.
Providing alternatives for parents.
Slowing traffic.
Improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Reinforcing the school travel plan.

Update on Measures Proposed

Measure		Progress
1.	A “Build Out” in New Church Road from the footpath to Mumford Close.	Not achieved due to objections from local residents but timed yellow line restriction from pathway instead.
2.	“Built up Tables” at each end of New Church Road and School Lane.	Not achieved due to objections but red patches painted in road.
3.	Yellow zig-zag lines outside school to be extended as far as bend.	Timed yellow line restriction added instead.
4.	Improved signage on approaches to school.	Achieved.
5.	New footpath along the edge of Poors Land.	Achieved.
6.	Car Parks at Orpen Hall, Treble Tile and Church to be made more available for use by parents.	Orpen Hall park improved and journey to school made safer at crossing with New Church Road. Use of Treble Tile agreed and operated for a time but then withdrawn due to misuse by parents.
7.	20 MPH limit in New Church Road.	Achieved with enhanced signage to follow.
8.	Designated space for disabled parking on Lexden Road.	Not achieved.
9.	A “Park and Walk” scheme organised by parents.	No known progress.
10.	Parents who drive to school to be encouraged to operate a voluntary one way system in School Lane.	No known progress.
11.	The school to review its Travel Plan.	Discussions between the school and Parish Council are ongoing.

November 27, 2014November 27, 2014

Environment & Highways – 13th November 2014

The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 13th November to consider a range of issues and decisions affecting the general environment and highways within West Bergholt. Updates on hedge cutting, handymen, weeds, village ponds, Traffic safety, pot-holes, dog bins, beacon, budget & McNally Mews. The formal report to the Parish Council is as follows:

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 13th November 2014 in John Lampon Hall

Councillors present	Harry Stone, Murray Harlow, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Rosemary James
Apologies	Rachel Howard

Andrew Savage attended part of meeting

1	Hedge cutting
	The hedge cutting and bramble mowing has been carried out and has been very well done. The CBC sweeper followed on and cleared the trimmings. Verges still need attention particularly along New Church Road.	HS
2	Village handyman
	The use of a chit book appears to be working. Unfortunately, Ivor has been called for jury service so some jobs are waiting attention at the moment.	PW
3	Overgrowth of weeds on footways
	There has been an incident in New Church Road when a resident slipped on wet vegetation on the footway and broke an arm. Need to ensure village handyman or CBC Rangers keep footways as clear as possible at this time of year when it is wet and there are fallen leaves etc.
4	Village Ponds
	The Queens Road pond has been cleared today. Arrange for Norhurst to clear away the cuttings.The Lexden Road pond will be cleared on November 23^rd and the Hall Road pond will have to be left until the new year.	JC
5.	Traffic Safety Plan
	The plan is apparently going ahead after it has been signed off for progress.	HS
6	Pot Holes
	Increase in road markings but no work carried out as yet.
7	Dog bin
	A bin is required for the Brewery site – check with Val if this has been ordered.	Val
8.	Beacon
	The beacon has not been put back in place – to check with Chris about this.	JC
	A plaque needs to be ordered to go on the beacon – Murray to organise this.	MH Agenda item
9	Areas of work in village
	Plan to produce a map showing sites of our responsibility in the village.	HS
10	Budget for next year.
	Andrew discussed preparation of budget for next year. He will forward a copy of agreed budget to sub committee	AS
11	McNally Mews
	Thanks to Chris for researching the issue raised by Ashley Yates. The request for tree and hedge planting in the area appears to be in accordance with the covenant and there seems to be no objection to be made to this request.	Agenda Item
13	AOB
	Rosemary requested information about a drainage problem caused by tree roots for a resident recently coming to the village. She will contact CBC for advice and information.	RJ
	Date of next meeting to be notified