Old Comments

Landlines and Broadband

I was wondering if the parish council can help at all. We moved into Meadow Park in March and like all the other residents we still have no landline or broadband.

Some of the other residents have been in this position since they moved in, in October 2014, and we believe residents at the rear of the Furlongs have been waiting well over a year for a connection. We have complained to BT and we now get regular update calls from the office of the chairman, but all they do is tell us there is no news and the next update will be in a few weeks.

They rely on Openreach for all works and updates and it seems that cables and ducting still needs to be laid under and up Attwood Lane from Roman Road. They have known this since we moved in and still nothing much seems to have happened. They are now saying ducting has to be replaced as it is damaged. We have escalated it as high as we can with BT and were wondering if the Parish Council and or our Parish Councillor Andrew Round could escslate it further with BT/Openreach or our local MP.

This has gone on long enough and we snd all the other residents effected (30 plus houses on our estate alone), would appreciate any help you can give us. You will appreciate it is almost impossible to do anything in this technological age without broadband. Our eldest son starts school on September at Holmer and we even need broadband access for his school work etc.

Regards

Mike Andrews
7 Meadow Park

If anyone has a similar problem please let us know – we can’t promise to fix it but we can bring it people’s attention.

150478 460 dwellings Land to the north of the Roman Road

steve ramsdale 21-04-15

Flooding of Roman Road
The flooding comes from several sloping fields and an over capacity culvert – not just the Aylesbrook stream, putting in a pond (with no outflow) will not stop this. I don’t think the developers have a clue about the degree of the flooding problem when it occurs. The developers and the Council will need to put in major drainage works to protect the present housing and this is not on their plans.

Ref: other points
I agree with all the comments of L Harrison – why isn’t the Council and Developers concentrating on brownfield sites and the many infill sites within the City boundaries for example the old Sun Valley Foods car park next to Widemarsh Common, that stationary queues of motorists view every day as they drive from the outskirts of the city. These potential areas are much closer to employment and leisure amenities.

This development reminds me of the developments in the 1950s and 1960s when large housing estates with few or no amenities were inserted into green belt sites and which developments are heavily criticised today in planning circles. I thought we have moved on in the last 50 years where developments are much more subtle and thought through. Even in times when restrictions were much fewer this site was left alone for a reason.

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L. Harrison 19-04-15

I am concerned that this is just urban sprawl on to much needed prime agricultural land with no consideration being given to the totally inadequate infra-structure needed to support such a large development. In the past, development of this site was strongly opposed by the planners and it would be interesting to know the argument for withdrawal of the objection.

Government policy has now changed in favour of brown-site development and against development of agricultural land.

Any development should be within the old city boundary to enable people to walk or cycle to work rather than add to the horrendous traffic problems.

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Brian Sayer 20-01-2015

I have lived on The Crescent for over 20 years and although I do not object to progress on more housing being required it does seem a lot of houses especially as we do have a huge problem with flooding and water pressure. My main grievance is I have never in my 20 years here I have not seen a mobile camera in use. Many times on 3 Elms and Holmer roads. Why! The increased traffic and noise is horrific and the speeding both by cars and especially lorries in the morning and late at night. I do think it’s time for a static camera even though it is the bypass! Pedestrian crossings are also required, I power walk daily and to get across the Roman road ruins my stride!

For more info about the Bloor Development see Report by Cllr Sally Robertson

Attwood Lane Road Works

Attwood Lane Road Works – north of the Roman Road
Balfour Beatty began the road works without consultation, with no regard to the Attwood lane rat run issues and many local people are unhappy with the implementation of the scheme.

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Fenella Powell April 17, 2015

I wish for the road to be put back to how it was before, as I consider the narrowing of the road and the angle as to the curb is dangerous to motorists.

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Mark Eckley April 17, 2015

Not only is it disappointing that no thought has gone into an overall scheme for the whole of Attwood Lane but the views of local residents and motorists seem to be have completely ignored. This scheme appears to be undertaken because funds have to be spent and not, as we are led to believe, that it is for pedestrian safety. Having lived in Wentworth Park for 19 years I have never witnessed or heard of one incident involving a pedestrian at this junction.

Surely having spent money to put lights at the entrance to The Furlongs, and further expense and disruption constructing a cycle and footpath on the southern side of Roman Road, pedestrians should be encouraged to use these facilities?

The proposed narrowing of this junction will inevitably lead to more accidents as motorists try to ‘nip out’ so as not to hold up motorists behind them.

About Coldwells Care Home Planning Application

(one comment)
P143282/F – extensions and alterations to existing care home

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Richard Nash 21-11-2014
Reasons for Objecting

1.  The size of the proposed development is out of proportion in relation to neighbouring properties, in what is a quiet rural residential area. It would be overlooking the rear of, and have a major detrimental effect to the privacy of the neighbouring property.
2. Noise and smells from the newly sited kitchen would be directly to the rear of the neighbouring property.
3. There are concerns that despite a newly installed sewerage system the ground will not absorb the quantity of treated liquid without problems reoccurring. For 1 year prior to the installation the environment agency had ruled that all sewerage had to be tankered away. This meant that every week 2 x tankerloads twice a week were removed. That gave the land time to dry out. Any soil tests done would have benefited from this spell of not having 12000litres per week going into the soil.

At no time has the owner shown any interest in the effect this development may have on their neighbours or the community, and the comment made in paragraph 3.6 of the design and access statement that a meeting was held with the parish council who had no objections is simply not true. The parish council most strongly objected when the original application was made, and I am told no meeting has ever taken place since.

The owner has 5 care homes in total, and it is difficult to equate the detrimental harm to the rural environment in which we live for an apparent net gain of only 8 beds, with an enlarged footprint on the site that almost doubles what is there now.

There have already been two sizable extensions which with the last one an informative was made that if it went ahead then that would probably be the last and that the local planning authority would not encourage any further development on this site. So what has changed?

The governments guidelines about planners responding positively does not surely mean at any cost to neighbours and the neighbourhood. Parish Councils have more influence now and I trust they will support my opposition to this extension. They are most welcome to hold a site visit should they so wish.

Angie Hurcomb December 9th 2014 – I live in Coldwells Road and I take my dogs along the lane daily but our evening walks are not relaxing or enjoyable as they should be due to increased traffic making yet another rat run in the area! I find myself having to ensure my dogs are up in the hedge so I can protect them from the speed these cars, vans etc race, no consideration on their part to myself or the animals, no point in a 30mph limit either! I always carry a torch, make ourselves seen, this makes no or little difference, I find myself bracing for impact, an accident waiting to happen?! I also fear if and when Attwood/Church Way has restrictions or calming more traffic will divert this way, its too narrow…… this needs addressing sooner rather than later!!

Ronaldo Rossi – 8th October 2014 I’ve read the recent posts with interest and there appears to be support for the one way west to east suggestion made earlier, probably the only possibility of an effective solution. Another suggestion might be to make a request to the authority to formally rename Attwood Lane the ‘Northern Bypass’. Considering our ability to get anywhere is fairly slight, the irony of the request just might penetrate someone’s brain among those powers that be. I have come to the cynical realisation that the authority probably condones the shortcut as it helps the general movement of traffic in a bumbling sort of way. Oh If only a member of the local authority would buy a property in the lane.

Jacque Purdy – 6th October 2014 – I have cycled my children to school along Attwood lane during the summer months with great anxiety. The cars drive far too fast and with little consideration to young bike riders. I would definitely support a system which slows cars down and / or restricts the traffic along this lane. it is obvious that cars are cutting through the lane to miss the traffic on the Roman Rd and something should be done to address this problem before a serious accident occurs.

Jon Collier – 30th September 2014 I voted no to speed bumps and I concur with a lot of what has already been said. Welcome though Cllr Robertson’s efforts were concerning the speed limit, the type of idiot who thinks they can shave a minute off their journey by diverting along Attwood Lane is not someone to pay attention to a 30 mph sign. Speed bumps will prove ineffectual and making the lane one way, as Pauline says, from west to east is likely to prove most beneficial. Failing that then restricting the lane to access only from Church Way east to roman road may prove effective. Having tackled Amey about the rat run problem before Balfour Beatty took over responsibility, I found their attitude unimaginative, disinterested and frankly patronising. Access only was dismissed as unworkable as the police would not undertake enforcement activity. The spokesman (whose details I retain) then admitted there had been no liaison with the police! Concerns about accidents were dismissed with the statistic that there have been no injury accidents on Attwood Lane for X number of years. The number of cars in Church Way with wing mirrors attached with masking tape and 3 instances in the last few years where vehicles travelling too fast have left the road and demolished neighbours fences in Attwood Lane is not warning enough for the authority that the lack of injury accidents is good fortune, nothing more. The state of the road surface is quite appalling along the length of the lane, fibreglass warning posts were simply demolished (these things cost money!!) and verges have been destroyed yet still the authority declines to act. There is some debate about the route of a northern bypass through our parish; I would contend that the authority has already given tacit approval to Attwood Lane/Church Way being a useful relief road to the mess that is Roman Road. There are simple, cheap alternatives to alleviate the misery that the current inaction has brought down on the residents of what should still be a quiet country lane. The lack of will to tackle this issue is nothing less than a disgrace.

Pauline Jenkins – 30th September 2014 Living on the lane in question the placement of 30mph signs unfortunately have not reduced the speed that vehicles travel. Speed bumps in Attwood Lane and Church Way may help to reduce the speed somewhat, but what is really needed is a one way system. This would complement the speed bumps – suggest west to east to start at the junction with Coldwells Road. The condition of Church Way/Attwood Lane is appalling and really does need something doing. The additional cars brought about by the new development on the Pomona site (potentially 70+) will not enhance the condition of the road and accidents are just waiting to happen.

Tony and Wendy Beavan – 15th September 2014 We feel that there should be speed bumps in Attwood Lane, but that is not sufficient. They should be continued along Church Way, and especially at the junction with Coldwells Road, as we have experienced several “near misses” here, when drivers come at speed from one direction or the other, without heeding the fact that there is a bend in the road. Also of concern, is the general appalling state of Attwood Lane and Church Way. Friends who visit us describe it like driving in the Third World!! The attempt at patching potholes is pathetic, and surely a waste of our money. It is also clear that there is virtually no clearing and cleaning of the verges, pathways and gutters, where dirt is so deep (along Church Way), that weeds are growing 6ins. high, and when it is wet, the pavement opposite the Coldwells Road junction is positively dangerous because of the muddy surface. Neither is there any litter clearing, except what I have personally done in the 6 months I have lived here. (4 occasions, filling a large refuse sack each time). I won’t even mention the repeated and substantial dog-fouling problem. Does no one care at all about these things? The whole area desperately needs cleaning up, the roads properly resurfacing, and some regular maintenance carried out.

R Rossi – 6th September 2014 I will vote no because Attwood Lane with speed bumps would still be a favoured choice for the rat runners than waiting in the interminable queue on the Roman Rd towards the A49 roundabout. Speed bumps would just be another trial for those who live in Attwood Lane and would not deter anyone. The developers in Attwood lane have chewed up the only half decent surface in the lane doubtless because they had to provide the necessary services to their new houses. Having lived in the lane for more than 20 years my considered opinion is and has been that the lane should be made one way west to east, this would in itself be sometimes inconvenient for residents but would cut down the numbers using the lane as a shortcut especially in the late afternoon.

When and if the developers make good their damage in a proper and acceptable manner, perhaps someone in the appropriate authority could organise and negotiate the resurfacing of the remainder of the lane up to Churchway. There will be a resident’s car increase of numbers of around 30(+) in the near future, surely we don’t have to wait until there is an accident for decisive action to be taken.