Borough Councillor Report for March 2022

Borough Councillors Report Turvey Parish Council March 2022

Turvey Footpaths May Road and Grove Road

Despite many requests over the past two years for essential repairs to footpaths on May Road and Grove Road – particularly in the Grove Road Squares – no work has been undertaken. I sent a video over a year ago showing the unsafe state of these footpaths. I was astounded when this morning the Mayor posted on Twitter – yet another photo opportunity – showing off a new pavement cleaning machine for the newly laid pavements in the town centre high street!

This was my response. https://twitter.com/JimWeir92567466/status/1509442995640315905?s=20&t=WmlbL3AGzahKyTPxueHVhg

Anglian Water Road Works Station End

Spoke to the Construction Manager today to ask for sight of a schedule of works with timescales etc. Whilst their licence for the work runs for 6 weeks, they would hope to finish in the next three weeks. The issue in Station Road will be the major disruption to parking for residents, I had asked that someone from his team talks to residents and explain what will be happening. I know that from Monday 4^th April three phase traffic lights will be in place to allow safer and better access to Station Road. I hope to have the schedule before tonight’s (31^st) meeting. This just in;

Thank you for your email to Andrew this morning. Further to my voicemail, I am emailing to share an update on our works in Turvey, this is a main reinforcement project for the water main which supports the fire service.

We began this work on Bedford Rd on the 14^th March. Since beginning, we have laid a significant amount of water main and backfilled and reinstated a good portion of the area. The work on Bedford Rd will be complete before the end of April. There will be a small further piece of work on this road in the coming months, at this point we don’t have timescales, but we anticipate this will cause very little disruption to residents.

With regards to the work on Station Rd, we will be deploying three-way traffic lights next week and intend to begin the excavation and main laying during week commencing the 11^th April. During this time the work will be completed in 40-50m sections, with the section having one lane closed using priority boards. We have opted to use priority boards rather than traffic lights to try and minimise disruption for residents. Residents will be able to access their drives, if they live within the section being worked on, we will place driveway boards so they can easily access their homes. There may be very short periods (such as when we are in the process of digging or reinstating) when they won’t be able to use their drives, but our teams on site will let any affected resident know before access is restricted.

We will be working on Station Rd for a maximum of 6 weeks, but we are hoping to be finished more quickly. This means that we will be off site by the 20^th May at the latest. Before starting our work on site, we will be writing to all residents of Station Rd to confirm this work and the timescales, the letter will arrive with residents next week.

Travellers Encampment Stagsden

The encampment that was removed from the layby on the A6 close to Sharnbrook has now ended up located in a layby on the road between Stagsden and Astwood. This is just inside the Borough boundary and consisted of three caravans, the fourth having been damaged and abandoned in the A6 layby. After receiving a report from a member of the public that the people in the encampment have again placed traffic cones across the entrance to the layby, to prevent members of the public from using the layby. We instructed our enforcement agents to issue a common law notice requiring the encampment to vacate the layby. The Boroughs enforcement agents evicted the encampment from the layby on the 24^th March using common law powers. They report the encampment was last seen heading in the direction of Buckinghamshire, so they may well have now left the Borough.

Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge (Kempston – Great Denham)

The original s106 which controlled the infrastructure like provision of a golf course. Within this document was the provision of a Pedestrian and Cycle bridge. The cost of this was – at the time – estimated to be £440k. When as chair of the parish council I put forward a proposal that we already had a bridge at Kempston Mill so why not use some of the money to refresh that and the rest to improve the footpaths leading to and from the “stepped bridge” which took you over the Ouse back channel. This would then improve access to Kempston for parents with prams and buggies as well as those with mobility issues, it would also add to sustainability. This was ignored and the project was kicked into the long grass. On the 30^th November 2021 an s106 variation order was agreed and signed between Bedford Borough Council and David Wilson Homes. This gave the sum of £688k to the Borough in lieu of the bridge.

The fact that this was being discussed and actioned without reference to either the PC or me as Ward Cllr must be deplored. When the financial crisis hit the developer DWH was allowed to reduce their cost of the development by £13m! This meant a reduction in social housing and other infrastructure buildings like a library, ecumenical centre, public works of art and some reconfiguration on housing density. The bridge over the Great Ouse would of course have been a further connection to Kempston and was planned to bridge the Country Park to Hillgrounds. So, the benefit would have served both communities equally.

When asked about what the intention was for the money this was the response

It is not our intention to use this money to repairs to the existing bridge, which are being funded from other budgets, but to secure a new facility better suited to the needs of all user groups.

What I believe will happen – as there is not really a need for an additional bridge – is that the funds will go into a general reserve. What should happen is that the funds are divided equally between Kempston and Great Denham for projects that those communities see as benefits that they have identified. In GD the argument still exists for better and more user-friendly footpaths leading to and from the Kempston Mill bridge. Ongoing!

Bedford Borough ignore residents’ responses to their own consultation on cycling in Town Centre

It was revealed that 54% of responders opposed or strongly opposed continuing the current ban on daytime cycling in the town centre.

However, Bedford Borough Council have decided to continue supporting the ban stating they had received support for it from businesses in the town centre and will recommend that it continues at Executive on Wednesday 2^nd March.

Budget 22/23

At Full Council on Wednesday 2^nd February, Bedford Borough Council agreed to raise Council Tax by 3.99% after rejecting the Conservative amendment to freeze Core Council Tax.

The Council Tax resolution which includes all of the Parish Council precepts, went through at Full Council on Wednesday 23^rd February and you can see that in full here: https://councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/documents/s59993/Item%2016%20Council%20Tax%20Resolution.pdf

Residents concerned by Manton Lane feeder road

Road users are claiming that the new feeder lane at Clapham Road roundabout onto Manton Lane has created an ‘new accident black spot’ and have called for urgent action.

It is claimed that the angle at which the road joins Manton Lane is too acute to see vehicles already on the roundabout.

Concerns have been raised with the Borough but they will not take action, stating the angle meets the legal requirement.

Bedford bus station has deep clean

Over the weekend of February 25-27, Bedford Borough Council commissioned a deep clean of the bus station in the town centre.

General neglect and pigeons within the building are blamed, the portfolio holder for Environment and Transport said that ‘the Council is looking to implement further pigeon prevention measures’.

There are further reports by bus users of drinkers in the bus bays and unsubstantiated reports of drug use within the station, however there has been no update on what action will be taken over the anti-social behaviour.

Extra Powers for Council to Enforce On Bedford Roads

The Government has given local authorities the chance to apply for powers to enforce against ‘moving traffic offences’. Currently, only the Police can enforce against these offences.

Bedford Borough Council is considering acquiring these powers, and wants to hear the views of local residents, businesses and interested parties.

You can see the full list of moving traffic offences along with further information including how to respond to the consultation here: www.bedford.gov.uk/mtoconsultation

You can respond via email or writing at the following: Email : highway.consultations@bedford.gov.uk

Write to : Traffic Operations, Room 109, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP

Comments should be received by 18 March 2022 and may be published.

East West Rail (EWR) update

All Councillors have been invited to a meeting with East West Rail to discuss the forthcoming line. Councillors from all parties have expressed dismay at residents not being invited and hope for more two-way communication in the process.

Bedford Borough Council Launches Fly-Tipping Information Appeal

Bedford Borough Council has invested in new, portable CCTV cameras that they are deploying at fly-tipping hotspots around Bedford Borough.

The footage will be posted on the Council’s ‘Caught on Camera’ webpage at www.bedford.gov.uk/caughtoncamera. Residents are being urged that if they recognise a vehicle or an individual, to let the Council know on that webpage to assist in their investigations.

Borough COVID-19 Latest Figures

As of the 30^th March in Bedford, there have been 60,904 cases since the start of the pandemic and there have been 1,044 registered cases in Bedford in the last 7 days.

If you would like the latest COVID snapshot (up to 27^th March) please find it below:

Bedford Borough – Covid19 Snapshot _20220330_.pdf (windows.net)

Businesses can apply for a new Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Applications for the new Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant, which has been funded by the Government, are now open on Bedford Borough Council’s website.

The Government announced that further support will be provided to businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure business sectors affected by the Omicron wave through the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

The amount eligible local businesses will receive are:

Qualifying businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less on 30 December 2021, will receive a one-off grant of £2,667.
Qualifying businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 30 December 2021, will receive a one-off grant of £4,000.
Qualifying businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or above on 30 December 2021, will receive a one-off grant of £6,000.

Visit www.bedford.gov.uk/BSG to find out more about eligibility, and to apply for this grant.

You can find out which type of businesses are excluded at: Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Omicron discretionary additional restrictions grant scheme

The Government have also provided funds for Bedford Borough to implement a discretionary grant scheme to assist qualifying businesses in the hospitality, leisure, indoor facilities and non-essential retail sectors with further assistance.

The Omicron discretionary grant scheme will pay eligible businesses a one-off grant. You may be eligible if your business:

Is located in the Bedford Borough Council area.
Did not receive funding under the main Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme.
Operates within the sectors in the table below.

Visit www.bedford.gov.uk/BSG to find out more about eligibility, and to apply for this grant.