Brickhill Liberal Democrats
Welcome to the website of Brickhill Liberal Democrats. We hope that these pages explain the work which we are doing to help our local community, as well as providing other helpful information. If there is something further which you would like to know, just contact us direct and we will be pleased to help in any way that we can. Contact information is shown below.
Local Surgeries for help and advice
- Brickhill Drive Shops Saturday 4 September 10.00am
- Avon Drive Shops Saturday 18 September 10.00am
- Brickhill Drive Shops Saturday 2 October 10.00am
Call your Liberal Democrat Councillors for help and advice
Borough Councillor Charles Royden The Vicarage, Calder Rise, Brickhill. MK41 7UY
Tel: 01234 309175 Email: charlesroyden@gmail.com
Borough Councillor Wendy Rider 23 Orwell Close, Brickhill. MK41 7BQ Tel: 01234 303254 Email: wendyrider41@gmail.com
Click here for details of all Brickhill Lib Dem Councillors
Read the Latest FOCUS
New No 10 Bus for Brickhill
The new bus is now in operation from Bedford bus station and railway station to the new Woodlands Park development in Bedford.
Buses will run up to every 30 minutes during the day on Mondays to Saturdays between Bedford bus station, Bedford rail station, Park Avenue, Kimbolton Road, Larkway Top, Avon Drive, Tyne Crescent and the Woodlands Estate approach.
Waveney Avenue and parts of Avon Drive and Tyne Crescent in Brickhill will now have an even more regular bus service with route 6 buses running up to every 10 minutes and route 10 every 30 minutes.
Click here for the new route 10 timetable and map from 30 August 2010
Click here for the Falcon Avenue and Larkway Special
Phone mast for Avon Drive
Council Tax Bands
Council Tax Re-Banding- Shouldn’t Cost A Penny
We have been made aware of a number of residents being contacted by companies who are offering to look at their Council Tax band for a fee and save them money by lowering the band. A large number of people have been contacted in Brickhill, especially in the Tyne Crescent area. This is a serious concern for us as your local ward Councillors and we would like to let you know that it shouldn’t cost you a penny. The Valuation Office Agency(VOA) set the rates for all properties, valued by the VOA based on their open market value as at 1 April 1991.
The best way to get your Council Tax banding reviewed FOR FREE is to contact the VOA direct. This can be done via their website: www.voa.gov.uk or by telephone on: 0845 602 1507
We are also aware that some residents have been very disappointed after a review has taken place, exercise caution as the tax band can go up as well as down! We would also advise that you should have good reason to give money away to a company that promises something you can get yourself for free.
If you have had any experience on this matter recently then we would be interested to hear from you, please tell us using the contact details below. For more information visit our website www.puttingbrickhillfirst.com.
If you have any questions or concerns about this or any other issue, then please feel free to contact, or speak with us at our regular surgeries
Building Schools for the Future
The recent announcement concerning the loss of BSF Funding has caused much concern in Brickhill. The decision to move to a 2 tier system was based upon receiving a huge grant from the government to fund the changes with this money gone the change will not now take place.
Mayor Dave Hodgson is now to stop the closure notices which were placed on Middle Schools. While discussions continue to take place about funding, it remains a priority to support staff and work to improve standards'.
We will keep you posted as soon as we know more about what to expect.Borough Council statement .....
The Council is disappointed to receive the news that the Building Schools For The Future (BSF) Programme has been terminated. The Council when approving the three to two tier change based its decision on BSF funding being available. Given this is no longer available in its original format the Council is arranging a meeting with the Secretary of State for Education so as to gain an understanding of all the options available, in light of the review announced yesterday. The Council remains committed to improving educational standards throughout the Borough and will be considering how it moves forward to achieve this objective, as details from Government become clearer. Commenting Cllr David Sawyer, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, said: “I am extremely disappointed with the decision to cancel the Building Schools for the Future Programme (BSF). The programme represented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for vast investment to transform schooling in Bedford Borough, and it is obviously a major blow that the programme has been brought to an end before that investment was made. “I am furious on behalf of local taxpayers over the £486,000 we have been forced to spend on the project to date due to the bureaucratic arrangements of BSF. We told both the previous government and the new government that BSF was overly bureaucratic and wasteful and could be done much more cheaply. “The decision taken by the Full Council on 16th November 2009 to pursue a comprehensive programme of restructuring to a two-tier system was dependent on the receipt of BSF funding. Full Council’s decision to pursue that programme as proposed does not stand, therefore, but we will not simply shrug our shoulders and accept the current situation, in which there is real scope for improvement. “The council will work on further plans to achieve the transformation of education in Bedford Borough and the improvement in standards which is needed and which we all want to see. “The underlying fact is that Bedford Borough’s schools need investment as part of efforts to raise standards. We will fight tooth and nail for that investment for current and future generations of children and young people in Bedford Borough, and I look forward to the chance to make the case for the borough as part of the Government’s new review of capital investment in schools.”
Great News on Preserving our Green Spaces
Play facilities Brickhill Green
The new play facilities have now opened on the green along Avon Drive outside Brickhill Lower School. We are delighted with these new facilities for Brickhill. They have resulted in close co-operation between Borough, Brickhill parihs Council and Groundwork. We are delighted with the results and a large crowd came to the official opening on 21 May
No More Bricks in Brickhill Success
The Executive of Bedford Borough Council received the report on development of our Green Open Spaces on 21 April. We greatly appreciate the efforts of our Mayor Dave Hodgson, as all none of the green spaces in Brickhill have been agreed for additional housing development. Not only has Mowsbury Park been removed from the previous plans for development, we have also seen Freemans Common and Jackmans Farm taken out. This is exciting news for Brickhill and a vindication of our 'No More Bricks in Brickhill Campaign'
Linear Park
We are pleased to report that lead contractors Persimmon are due to start work on the new country park in October and work will continue on both phases. At the same time construction will start on the two football pitches along Ashemead Road.
What is that smell?
We have been asked by residents to investigate the smell which is powerfully affecting homes in Brickhill at the moment. We have been working with Borough Council officers and can confirm that it is pig muck spreading, the latest case being on fields north of Milton Ernest. We have been told by residents that it is coming from Biogen and we can confirm that this is not the case. Biogen are regulated by the Environment Agency.
There are issues relating to the spreading of manure like this and the operator has to show that they are conforming to 'Best Practicable Means,' in the code of practice issued by Defra. We are informed that there is no reason to suspect at present that this is not the case. We are continuing to investigate and will keep you posted on progress.
Helpful documents relating to this issue
Woodlands Estate
Councillors Wendy Rider and Charles Royden met with local residents
Copies of plans for changes to Ashmead Road and Bramley Way were made available to the public attending. These can now be seen by contacting the clerk of Brickhill Parish Council
Adoption of Roads. Concerns were expressed about the adoption of the roads on the estate. It was noted that this can take years to happen and there are examples in the Borough where new estates are not adopted eight years after completion. There can be protracted disputes about liability to bring roads and infrastructure up to standard, before the local authority will take over a commitment. There were concerns over the condition and design of the roads. The local authority is currently working with contractors to seek encourage the roads to be brought up to a more acceptable standard. New designs have been agreed for the junctions and work should start soon to make them safer and provide adequate markings.
Bramley Way. Residents of Bramley Way spoke about their fears over the road design. Bramley Way will soon be the main feeder road for Anjulita Court. There had been issues the previous evening when a fire engine had encountered difficulties when it had inadvertently used Bramley Way and met a dead end. The road is considered too narrow, there is not enough room for residents to park their cars on the road outside their houses. There is also an issue of noise from early deliveries to Anjulita Court. It was stated that the design for the road had met planning criteria and there was nothing which could be done to refuse permission for the road to be used. However there would be widening of the road which would make it easier for vehicles to pass. This would also allow for the provision of a pavement which residents considered essential. It was stated that early deliveries would not be a usual occurrence.
Winter Road Conditions. Residents had encountered difficulties with icy roads on the estate. Agreement had been given by the Borough Council this year to grit Ashmead Road to the second roundabout. There was a recognition that the roads had not however been gritted throughout the winter because the Council had run out of grit and only A and B Roads were gritted. Attention was now being given to a winter salt review and the possibility of providing a grit bin would be considered. It was pointed out that experience had shown that there were issues surrounding grit bins, including vandalism, throwing of salt at nearby properties etc.
Footpath & Bridle Path at side of Anjulita Court. The poor condition of the bridle path had been noted over the winter. The path was not easily used due to the mud and poor condition of the new surface. It was noted that mesh had been put down to consolidate the soil on the sloping ground and seeding would take place in the Spring.
Football pitches and Playgrounds. Residents noted that the promised facilities had not materialised. The contractors are planning tendering the play and associated landscape areas this summer with a view to installing the equipment in the autumn/winter with the landscape areas following on afterwards. The sports changing rooms and pitches will be tendered this summer with a view to starting construction of the buildings in the autumn of 2010. The pitch construction would then follow on from this during the winter spring 2010/11. The developers do not intend to commence work on the country park area before the autumn/winter 2011/12. We are working with the Borough Council to urge the contractor to start these works as soon as possible. We will seek to ensure that all planning conditions are met.
Access to the Woodlands Estate. It was asked whether there would be more than one entrance to the estate. The answer currently is no. There is a bus gate allowing access to the estate from Westrope Way, and this did allow emergency vehicles to pass. However Westrope Way had proved unsuitable for buses even with carriageway widening and would not be used.
Bus services. There was a desire by some residents to have bus service to the estate. It was stated that a regular bus service into the estate was recognised as being important. It is hoped that this can be delivered soon. Cllrs Rider and Royden are campaigning to get a smaller bus service which will operate from Anjulita Court to Bedford Town centre. This service could operate at least hourly throughout the day. It is hoped that this service will be operational in July 2010. In the meantime the shuttle bus was operating a very limited service as it is only available in the middle of the day.
Land between Browney Path and Grenadier Close. The land at this location was poorly maintained and it was asked who owned the land. The land is currently owned by the contractor and responsibility will pass to Bedford Borough Council in due course.
Parking on pavements and verges. This issue was of concern especially to residents with disabilities. It was noted that some residents want to be able to park near their homes on the pavements and the verges. This can be made unlawful through the implementation of local traffic orders. However since the roads are currently not adopted this could not take place in the near future.
Deliveries and signage. It was reported that lorries do arrive early and signage on the estate could be improved. It was agreed to take this back to the contractors and ask for their co-operation.
Development on the fields surrounding the estate. Questions were asked about future development of the green fields. Since the meeting Mayor Dave Hodgson had withdrawn the green spaces from the local development plan, securing these open spaces for the community.
Street lights and bollards.
We have recently managed to have the bollards illuminated at the entrance to the Woodland Estate. This was in the hands of the builidng contractors and not the Borough Council, which caused a long delay. However we did eventually manage to get them connected. We are now trying to make sure every street light and traffic light in brickhill is illuminated at night and not during the day! Please help us by telling us of any lights near you which are not working.
Parking on verges
We have been contacted by many residents concerned about cars parking on verges. Residents are concerned to know about the legality of cars parking on verges and what action the Borough Council can take to prevent damage to grass verges.
Parking on grass verges has emerged as a persistent problem across the Borough Council, with complaints about the unsightly state of verges, and severe damage which often results in safety issues. Often these complaints are associated with requests for the erection of posts or repair to the verges. Verge parking can also create a hazard to other motorists, especially if the vehicle is parked on a bend, narrow road or junction. People often park on verges because there are insufficient safe and convenient parking spaces available off-street and on the road. However, grass verges are not robust enough to support the weight of cars. Not only will the movement of vehicles cause unsightly ruts and mud, but vehicles may also damage underground pipes or cables. Parking on verges may also reduce access for street cleansing; impede maintenance works; obstruct road users from entering and leaving properties; and increase costs to the council if we need to carryout repairs or other measures deemed necessary to prevent verge parking.
Verge Parking Order The Borough Council now has a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in place to prohibit the parking on verges and enabling the Parking Shop to take enforcement action. However, the TRO is only enacted when signs are erected. These signs can be erected where there is a persistent problem with verge parking. The TRO comes into effect immediately, once we have erected signs. The Parking Shop can then take enforcement action and issue fixed penalty notices. Following many complaints to us from residents, we are now seeking the views of all residents in affected areas as to whether you would like us to erect verge parking signs in your road. Once erected it will be illegal for any person to park on the grass verge and owners of cars which do so will be issued with fixed penalty tickets. We believe that we need a clear consensus from residents to take this forward and it is important that we hear your views.
Please take the time to advise us of any issues of concern to you, your family or anybody else who might visit your home and consider parking on the verge. If residents ask for the implementation of this specific parking restriction, then we will seek to have it implemented immediately and enforced.
Dangerous parking outside Schools
Thank you to those residents who have contacted us to report concerns about the dangerous parking in Dove Road. On Wednesday 10 February Mayor Dave Hodgson joined a co-ordinated operation with police and traffic wardens in Dove Road, Brickhill. The problem of dangerous parking was highlighted in the recent Community Safety Forum as one of the top issues of concern for residents. The week previously a child from St Thomas More had been hit by a car outside the school, where vehicles had been parked unlawfully. Mayor Dave Hodgson said,
'This is not just about illegal parking this is anti social behaviour of the most serious kind because it places the lives of our children in danger.’
Local PC Dave Hawkey was supported by four members of the team from the Borough Council Parking Shop who issued fixed penalty tickets for vehicles parked on yellow lines. PC Hawkey is also reporting one motorist for parking on double yellow lines and displaying a disabled parking badge which belonged to another person. Local Borough Councillor Charles Royden, Transport Potfolio Holder on Bedford Borough Council organised the operation following letters and complaints from local residents who are fed up with the dangerous parking around Brickhill Schools. Cllr Royden said, 'This is the first time that this has been done in the Borough but I promise that it won't be the last, we are going to target this anti-social behaviour outside schools to protect children and keep them safe.’
Other issues
- Brickhill Lib Dem Councillors are opposing plans for an 02 Phone mast on the pavement in Brickhill Drive outside the allotments and an increased capability in Brickhill Drive..
- New play facilities are now open on Waveney Green with tens of thousands of pounds grant funding.
- We have agreed that a free feeder bus will run from the far end of Ashmeand Road, via Anjulita Court, to connect with the No 6 bus service in Waveney Avenue. It will run once a day, leaving Ashmead Road at 10.30am, returning at 1.30pm. Longer term the No6 will serve the estate entering and leaving via Ashmead Road, running as far as the roundabout.
- We are workign with the NHS to raise the issue of providing medical facilities for Brickhill
Read more news about issues affecting Brickhill
If you have any comments please email us
Liberal Democrat Councillor Surgery. Bedford Central Library,
every Saturday, 2pm-3:30pm. All welcome, just turn up.