This morning, as with every Remembrance Sunday since I was elected, I attended the Service of Remembrance in the Lower Gardens.
Each year it becomes more moving as the old soldiers become older yet also become more determined to pay their respects. As their places are replaced by younger men returned from more recent conflicts. And as the crowds grow ever larger around the cenotaph.
This year though there was a difference. A demonstration by members of UKIP holding political placards during at the end of the Service.
I understand they also layed a wreath under their party colours with a similarly political note attached.
That's not jsut direspectful, it's appalling and despicable and is a mark of the people who took part. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
Remembrance Service is not, and must never be, about politics. It's far too important for that.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Closure of Ashley Road
For those of you who did not see this in the Echo. We have now heard from Network Rail that they have definite dates for the long awaited closure of Ashley Road, Boscombe, while the bridge over the railway it replaced. We have asked that, if at all possible, the closure is delayed for buses and the reopening for buses only is brought forward, even if it means a single lane ‘buses only' section and only for a week or so at either end. They have said that they will try to achieve this, but can make no promises.
Ashley Road will be completely closed at the railway bridge from Monday 19 October until Saturday 19 December.
There will be full possessions of the rail line (so no trains operating) from 01.00 on Saturday 14 November to 04.00 on Monday 16 November, and also from 01.00 on Sunday 22 November to 04.00 on Monday 23 November when the rubble from the present bridge is removed. This will, I understand, be done by road, so there will be large numbers of heavy lorries present on those weekends. All design and supervision works for the bridge replacement will be done by Network Rail or their contractors.
There will, inevitably, be a considerable amount of disruption to traffic flows during this period, but please be assured that we will do all we can to minimise the effects on local residents and businesses.
Ashley Road will be completely closed at the railway bridge from Monday 19 October until Saturday 19 December.
There will be full possessions of the rail line (so no trains operating) from 01.00 on Saturday 14 November to 04.00 on Monday 16 November, and also from 01.00 on Sunday 22 November to 04.00 on Monday 23 November when the rubble from the present bridge is removed. This will, I understand, be done by road, so there will be large numbers of heavy lorries present on those weekends. All design and supervision works for the bridge replacement will be done by Network Rail or their contractors.
There will, inevitably, be a considerable amount of disruption to traffic flows during this period, but please be assured that we will do all we can to minimise the effects on local residents and businesses.
Parking Problems
I can hear you groan now!
An update: we’re still chasing the issue of residents parking permits.
In the meantime I have been able to speak to Parking and make a temporary arrangement with them. Margaret Leslie is the parking manager, she has agreed that she residents can email her when they know that they are not going to be able to park off road during the designated times and therefore their cars may be left on the lines. She will endeavour to ensure you don’t get a ticket. I must stress that this is not an arrangement that can be used frequesntly and it is for occasions when parking on the road is completely unavoidable.
If you have workmen working at your home you should arrange with them to get their own tradesman permit which will exempt them while working at your property. Again Margaret can arrange this.
This arrangements can not be used retrospectively, so if you get a ticket I’m afraid you will still have to pay it, sorry!
Margaret can be contacted at: Margaret.Leslie@bournemouth.gov.uk
An update: we’re still chasing the issue of residents parking permits.
In the meantime I have been able to speak to Parking and make a temporary arrangement with them. Margaret Leslie is the parking manager, she has agreed that she residents can email her when they know that they are not going to be able to park off road during the designated times and therefore their cars may be left on the lines. She will endeavour to ensure you don’t get a ticket. I must stress that this is not an arrangement that can be used frequesntly and it is for occasions when parking on the road is completely unavoidable.
If you have workmen working at your home you should arrange with them to get their own tradesman permit which will exempt them while working at your property. Again Margaret can arrange this.
This arrangements can not be used retrospectively, so if you get a ticket I’m afraid you will still have to pay it, sorry!
Margaret can be contacted at: Margaret.Leslie@bournemouth.gov.uk
Tree Removal - Littledown Estate
We’ve had this message from the Council’s Tree Officer:
Close to the footway that runs through Littledown estate near to Hartsbourne Drive there is a veteran Oak. It is likely that this tree is in excess of 300 hundred years old. Veteran trees are an important and scarce resource and require sympathetic management.
We need to carry out some remedial works to this tree to reduce the potential for large decayed limbs to break out and strike the footway or neighbouring properties. This work will involve reducing the trees crown to lessen loading on the limbs. The tree is surrounded by young Sycamore and Horse chestnut trees these young trees are very vigorous and will 'swamp' the older Oak particularly following this remedial work. In order to prevent this we will be removing a number of these young trees to create a favourable habitat for the Oak to carry on for many more decades.
Close to the footway that runs through Littledown estate near to Hartsbourne Drive there is a veteran Oak. It is likely that this tree is in excess of 300 hundred years old. Veteran trees are an important and scarce resource and require sympathetic management.
We need to carry out some remedial works to this tree to reduce the potential for large decayed limbs to break out and strike the footway or neighbouring properties. This work will involve reducing the trees crown to lessen loading on the limbs. The tree is surrounded by young Sycamore and Horse chestnut trees these young trees are very vigorous and will 'swamp' the older Oak particularly following this remedial work. In order to prevent this we will be removing a number of these young trees to create a favourable habitat for the Oak to carry on for many more decades.
Porchester School - Proposed Sports Hall
Porchester School are making a planning application for a new sports hall. It’s another of those occasions when opinion is split. We have had people contact us who are both in support of the application (largely parents and teachers) and those who are against (particularly residents of Petersfield Road who will back on to the site).
The application will come before the Planning Board on Monday 17th August at the Town Hall. The meeting starts at 5pm and the application is on in second place, which means it should be heard about 5.30 – 6pm (Although as those who attended the meeting for Southwick Road know only too well that’s a very approximate time).
I will be speaking for those residents who are against the proposal and Jane will be speaking on behalf of those who are in favour. If anyone would like to talk to us about it before the meeting then please either Jane or I know.
The application will come before the Planning Board on Monday 17th August at the Town Hall. The meeting starts at 5pm and the application is on in second place, which means it should be heard about 5.30 – 6pm (Although as those who attended the meeting for Southwick Road know only too well that’s a very approximate time).
I will be speaking for those residents who are against the proposal and Jane will be speaking on behalf of those who are in favour. If anyone would like to talk to us about it before the meeting then please either Jane or I know.
Dave Wells Application - Southwick and Warneford Road
Jane and I and around 30 residents attended the Planning Board meeting last month to oppose the application. The vote was close, but I am pleased to say that the application was overturned. Thanks so much to everyone who came along and to all of you who wrote in with objections. We expect it to go to appeal relatively soon and will of course be supplying letters to object at that point too.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wind Turbine at Tescos
A quick update for you on some plans at Tescos on Castle Lane East.
Last autumn plans were put forward for the store to erect two wind turbines on their land. The proposal was turned down by the Council’s planning department.
Tesco have now appealed against the refusal of planning permission.
We’ve had correspondence from local people both opposed to and supporting the proposal, for that reason we haven’t circulated objection letters. The reasons people are supporting the application are as you might expect largely around the turbines providing a sustainable source of energy. Those opposing are concerned about the issues of noise disturbance locally.
The details of the application are:
Reference: APP/G1250/A/09/2105900/NWF
Comments or Objections should be sent to:
The planning Inspectorate
Room 3/19a
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN
You should quote the above reference number.
As always, our advice is to make the letter as personal as possible, tell them how the application may effect you.
Because of the split opinions locally we won’t be sending out a pro forma letter for either side. If you would like any help with further information or in composing your letter then do please let either Jane or I know.
Last autumn plans were put forward for the store to erect two wind turbines on their land. The proposal was turned down by the Council’s planning department.
Tesco have now appealed against the refusal of planning permission.
We’ve had correspondence from local people both opposed to and supporting the proposal, for that reason we haven’t circulated objection letters. The reasons people are supporting the application are as you might expect largely around the turbines providing a sustainable source of energy. Those opposing are concerned about the issues of noise disturbance locally.
The details of the application are:
Reference: APP/G1250/A/09/2105900/NWF
Comments or Objections should be sent to:
The planning Inspectorate
Room 3/19a
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6PN
You should quote the above reference number.
As always, our advice is to make the letter as personal as possible, tell them how the application may effect you.
Because of the split opinions locally we won’t be sending out a pro forma letter for either side. If you would like any help with further information or in composing your letter then do please let either Jane or I know.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Speed Cushions Harewood Avenue
Many of you asked Jane and I to try and have the speed bumps in Harewood Avenue removed and replaced with a more back/car friendly speed control method and so we've been liaising with the highways department at the Council and also Dorset Police.
I'm afraid to say that it rather came to a standstill at a meeting with the police in April as the accident statistics demonstrated that actually accidents have reduced since the bumps were put down.
As the location of the bumps falls within the speed control zone (schools) of 20mph it was suggested by the police that if drivers were travelling at 20mph there would be no damage sustained to vehicles nor discomfort to drivers/passengers. It is unlikely the bumps will be removed as they seem to be working effectively but we will monitor their state of repair closely!
Please do let us know if you find any damage to the bumps.
I'm afraid to say that it rather came to a standstill at a meeting with the police in April as the accident statistics demonstrated that actually accidents have reduced since the bumps were put down.
As the location of the bumps falls within the speed control zone (schools) of 20mph it was suggested by the police that if drivers were travelling at 20mph there would be no damage sustained to vehicles nor discomfort to drivers/passengers. It is unlikely the bumps will be removed as they seem to be working effectively but we will monitor their state of repair closely!
Please do let us know if you find any damage to the bumps.
Free compost
The Council has been given ten tonnes of compost by one of its waste partners, to give away free as a thank you to the efforts of residents who are helping to make the green waste collection service such a success.
The compost is being made available on a first come first served basis at the Kings Park green waste collection point on Sunday 24 May from 9am to 1pm. Anyone can come along and collect two bags/containers of compost on showing their council tax bill as proof of residency. (Residents should provide their own containers).
The compost is being made available on a first come first served basis at the Kings Park green waste collection point on Sunday 24 May from 9am to 1pm. Anyone can come along and collect two bags/containers of compost on showing their council tax bill as proof of residency. (Residents should provide their own containers).
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Wooded Area Adjoining Sovereign Close and Littledown Drive
We have received letters and emails from residents regarding an area of land identified as possibly suitable for the building of residential dwellings in order to fund enhanced recreation/play areas. The list of land pockets is Borough wide and will be divided into low and high priority. At this stage we don't yet know if the Sovereign Close land will be low priority. If not we will of course be seeking a full consultation and will represent the views of residents if asked to do so.
Ovington Avenue and Holmfield Avenue yellow lines
The consultation process has now concluded and work can now start (within the next couple of weeks) to add the yellow lines to Summerfields, Ovington Gardens, Ovington Avenue and Hursley Close - to prohibit waiting Mon - Fri 11am to 12pm and 2pm to 3pm. We have knocked on every door in these roads to consult with residents and the lines are a result of this consultation. It remains our hope to find a better solution for the ward and we are working hard to do so.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Prisoners from Guantanamo Bay
Apparently Gordon Brown has agreed to accept prisoners being released from Guantanamo Bay to help President Elect Obama out of a hole.
The thing is, these people will have no link what so ever with the UK.
Presumably they have been held on Cuba becuase they were considered a threat of some kind. They deserve a proper, just, trial and if found not-guilty should be released to where they came from or to make appropriate applications to countries considereing to take them.
So why are we agreeing to take them, apparently without precondition?
The thing is, these people will have no link what so ever with the UK.
Presumably they have been held on Cuba becuase they were considered a threat of some kind. They deserve a proper, just, trial and if found not-guilty should be released to where they came from or to make appropriate applications to countries considereing to take them.
So why are we agreeing to take them, apparently without precondition?
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