Author: Clerk

From the Parish Council

Anti-social behaviour

September’s meeting saw the largest number of parishioners attending for many years. Over 50 villagers came to make representation regarding the recent increase in anti-social behaviour, vandalism and disruption in the village and the apparent lack of police response. The meeting was also attended by PCSO Tony Martin, to respond and to take back the views of those there, including one who spoke eloquently on behalf of the many. After the public part of the meeting, many left and had separate discussions with the PCSO.

The Parish Council has been making strong representations with the Police to try and bring about a positive solution. We have met with local officers who agreed where time and commitments allowed additional patrols would be carried out within the village and we have seen some evidence of this in the past week or two.

The parish council is determined to bring offenders to justice and has held a more formal meeting with the police and arranged for a public meeting to take place. This should have happened beforef this publication.

This was an opportunity for you to raise your concerns directly with the police and hear what they are planning to do for you We would encourage residents to continue to report all incidents to the police so that they continue to have a clear picture of what is going on and where.

Traffic in Willingham

Following a meeting with Mick George, he agreed to pay for Community Road Watch (CRW) to conduct surveys on traffic through the village. Also, he will supply 2 interactive signs indicating actual speed for the village, and will monitor his vehicles to try to divert those that can use other routes.

The traffic logger was located by CRW on Earith Road midway between the southbound Vehicle Activated Signs. The logger shows typically nearly 5000 vehicles per week day in each direction, with a morning peak at 7.30am and evening at 5.30pm, both with over 900 vehicles per hour. Speeds were around 30mph at the peaks, but averaged 35mph from Earith and 38 Mph to Earith, with a peak speed reached at this point of 93mph! More information can be found at – www.roadwatch.org.uk/cambs/willingham/

Traffic monitoring by CRW collating HCV use was carried out in 2 hour sessions once a week over 4 weeks at differing times. The results were surprisingly similar with between 40 and 50 HCVs per session. This is more than one every 3 minutes on average.

The interactive speed signs should arrive soon and with additional brackets, these can be installed on Earith Road, Rampton Road and Over Road, relocated as needed.

A Site Traffic Enforcement meeting with our district, county and parish councillors, and representatives of the Northstowe planning officers was, disappointingly,  largely unproductive. The county council cannot prosecute any offenders of the planning conditions without complete evidence of non-compliance and they cannot look for this evidence themselves. Weight limits on the B1050 are unlikely to happen, though they will explore the possibility of a night time weight limit. Also, the traffic sensor monitoring is to be restarted which should give better evidence of traffic levels and types, etc.

Highways

Tim Wotherspoon, our County Councillor, reported that the pavements in Berrycroft and Newington are too far gone to be treated with slurry seal Therefore they need to wait till an appropriate budget can be found for a full reconstruction.

Regarding the B1050 alongside the river, he said the costs of the annual repairs are now so high that it may be viable to construct an alternative. This would need national funding which may be available from a Department of Transport scheme for disintegrating fen roads.

MUGA

Proposals to utilise some Section 106 funding to provide a MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) are progressing. This will cost around £180,000 and will enhance sports facilities in the village, making it comparable with neighbouring communities.

 

GOLD AWARD for WILLINGHAM NEWS.

Well done to everyone who has made a contribution to the magazine, been part of the Editorial team, and finally the distribution team, who have kept us up to date with Village news and events.

They recently received a GOLD award for ‘The Best Village Magazine’ from Cambridge Evening News.

HCVs and TRAFFIC THROUGH the VILLAGE.

The Council has continued to gather data and liaise with County and District Councils regarding this ongoing issue.

In the past few weeks active monitoring of traffic through the village has been carried out in Station Road and Earith Road.

A logger was installed for one week, to record traffic data including; date/time/speed/direction/type of vehicle.

Separate monitoring of four two hour sessions at different times was used to record; date/time/speed/direction/colour/model & chassis type/company name.

DISTRICT COUNCIL SURGERY.

Dawn Percival our District Councillor recently held a surgery to which there was a small response. The next surgery is on 27^th

October in The Ploughman Hall from 11a.m. until 12noon. These surgeries provide an opportunity to come and share your concerns with the District Councillor so that advice and help can be given.

VILLAGE PARKING.

Inconsiderate parking in many places around the village is making it difficult for other road users and pedestrians to use the roads safely.

Recently, this has become a problem at the entrance to Saxon Way, virtually creating a ‘one lane’ road.

We would encourage you to bear in mind where you park and consider the needs of other road users.

REPORTING PROBLEMS.

Unfortunately, there have been several reports of anti-social behaviour and vandalism around the village in recent weeks.

The council would encourage parishioners to report such incidents to the Police.[see below]

Other problems can be reported directly to the District and County Councils[see below]

South Cambridgeshire District Council – Environment reporting portal:  https://www.scambs.gov.uk/services/environment

Use this to report issues or concerns with:

• Abandoned vehicles
• Air Pollution
• Dog Fouling
• Fly tipping
• Fly posting
• Graffiti
• Litter
• Street Cleaning
• Asbestos

County Council  – Highways reporting portal:

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults/

Use this to report issues or concerns with:

• Potholes
• Road/pavement surface
• Flooding
• Signs and street furniture
• Street lights
• Rights of Way
• Hedges/trees and weeds (along the highway)
• Road works
• Spillages/debris on the road
• Traffic lights

Police –  101 reporting portal (for non emergency calls):

https://www.cambs.police.uk/report/

Alternatively you can call 101 for non emergency assistance

Inconsiderate parking: http://tinyurl.com/SouthCambs-Parking

District Council News

Extra blue bin recycling?

The District Council recently posted a video on social media to highlight how residents should leave occasional extra recycling next to their blue bin. They have introduced new guidelines because their new collection vehicles have higher openings than their old trucks, so they needed to change the way they collect extra recycling.

You can view / share the video by watching it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/qRLckclhwG4

For more information, see www.scambs.gov.uk/changes-to-the-way-we-collect-extra-recycling

Residents who regularly have extra recycling can order a free additional blue bin by requesting one at www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling

Contact: refuse@scambs.gov.uk or 03450 450063