We contacted the council in March (see blog in March) about the issue of a controlled crossing on Marzahn Way. The pedestrian route from Page Lane requires people to cross Marzahn Way near a very busy island.
The council have replied stating that they do not have plans for crossing facilities at that point and suggest that residents walk up Denton Street and access the crossing at Marzahn Way/Albert Road junction - this obviously means walking a longer distance.
I have suggested to residents in the area that if they want to pursue the matter that they need as individuals to write in to the council and also to get a petition up. I said I'd assist if necessary.
Saturday, 14 June 2008
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
HGV's very latest!!
Had a meeting yesterday with police (CPO Jamie Simmons) - I was wanting to follow up on what police had been doing so far.
No specific action by the police has taken place in relation to the info we've sent them. I did provide CPO with photographic evidence re one incident and the police will be following this up
Jamie has emailed the Road Policing Unit covering Warrington Widnes etc re the problems being experienced - police to have a 'floating presence' in the area ie visible sign of police car - it is hoped that this could occur at least once a week and might deter HGV drivers from using Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane.
Following meetings with some of the ward councillors - council to look at providing better and more road signs re weight restrictions.
I mentioned to Jamie about Lorry Watch schemes particularly in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. In most areas where Lorry Watch schemes have been set up the reported incidents of HGV use of weight restricted routes is followed up by Trading Standards. Halton BC does not have a trading standards section this is dealt with at Warrington. Jamie and Chris to check up whether Trading standards in Warringtion have a responsibilty for pursuing reported incidents in Widnes.
Jamie mentioned about discussions he'd had at Halton View Action Group re speeding and the possiblity of residents setting up a community Speed Watch - some residents didn't feel too happy with the idea not wanting to get involved and seeing the role as primarly a police one. Also the speed bumps issue seems to be a none goer due to lack of support from residents. Discussed possiblity of speed cameras but they are very expensive and there is a tendency for drivers to speed up after going through a camera controlled zone.
I suggested if possible we formalise a Lorry Watch in Barrows Green Lane and Moorfield Rd. It would be necessary to leaflet residents in the area to ask if anybody would be interested in keeping an eye on HGV movement and recording incidents which would then be forwarded to coordinators. The coordinators would then send info on to police etc. Residents would need to be able to identify HGV vehicles some simple learning input might be required here(?) - Jamie to discuss formalising a Lorry Watch scheme with his managers.
It would be important to involve hauliers as much as possible in this proccess so that they would not feel they were being hounded and so that they could work with us to improve the situation. Surrey Trading Standards operates in this way.
Jamie to contact following discussions with his managers WATCH this space!!??
No specific action by the police has taken place in relation to the info we've sent them. I did provide CPO with photographic evidence re one incident and the police will be following this up
Jamie has emailed the Road Policing Unit covering Warrington Widnes etc re the problems being experienced - police to have a 'floating presence' in the area ie visible sign of police car - it is hoped that this could occur at least once a week and might deter HGV drivers from using Moorfield Rd and Barrows Green Lane.
Following meetings with some of the ward councillors - council to look at providing better and more road signs re weight restrictions.
I mentioned to Jamie about Lorry Watch schemes particularly in Cambridgeshire and Sussex. In most areas where Lorry Watch schemes have been set up the reported incidents of HGV use of weight restricted routes is followed up by Trading Standards. Halton BC does not have a trading standards section this is dealt with at Warrington. Jamie and Chris to check up whether Trading standards in Warringtion have a responsibilty for pursuing reported incidents in Widnes.
Jamie mentioned about discussions he'd had at Halton View Action Group re speeding and the possiblity of residents setting up a community Speed Watch - some residents didn't feel too happy with the idea not wanting to get involved and seeing the role as primarly a police one. Also the speed bumps issue seems to be a none goer due to lack of support from residents. Discussed possiblity of speed cameras but they are very expensive and there is a tendency for drivers to speed up after going through a camera controlled zone.
I suggested if possible we formalise a Lorry Watch in Barrows Green Lane and Moorfield Rd. It would be necessary to leaflet residents in the area to ask if anybody would be interested in keeping an eye on HGV movement and recording incidents which would then be forwarded to coordinators. The coordinators would then send info on to police etc. Residents would need to be able to identify HGV vehicles some simple learning input might be required here(?) - Jamie to discuss formalising a Lorry Watch scheme with his managers.
It would be important to involve hauliers as much as possible in this proccess so that they would not feel they were being hounded and so that they could work with us to improve the situation. Surrey Trading Standards operates in this way.
Jamie to contact following discussions with his managers WATCH this space!!??
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
HGV - Latest!
I have recently received an email from community support officer Chris Blakemore who says that the police are considering pressing for speed bumps on Barrows Green Lane to combat HGV's and speeding.
Whether this is going to happen will depend on whether there would be sufficient support for the proposal from residents.
I have looked at some evidence re the effectiveness of traffic calming on stopping HGV's using certain routes and it doesn't indicate that such measures are particularly useful. HGV's are obviously slowed down but continue to use these routes. So I would question the use of speed bumps as an answer to the problem.
The other issue would be Moorfield Rd which also has a weight restriction - whatever measures are implented for Barrows Green Lane would also need to be used in Moorfield Rd in order that traffic is not diverted to that road.
I'm hoping to see the CSO's in the next few days - I want to know how they view the effectiveness of their recent actions, eg contacting hauliers that have been using Barrows Green Lane - our surveys indicate that problems continue. Also will be discussing any other ideas they have re dealing with the problem. I've been looking at what other local authorities are doing and want to discuss this with the police
It looks like all the recent activities of local residents are paying off - it certainly seems that we're getting some action at last, lets just hope it's effective!
If anyone wants to be present at our meeting with the police please let us know.
Tel 0151 423 1692
Whether this is going to happen will depend on whether there would be sufficient support for the proposal from residents.
I have looked at some evidence re the effectiveness of traffic calming on stopping HGV's using certain routes and it doesn't indicate that such measures are particularly useful. HGV's are obviously slowed down but continue to use these routes. So I would question the use of speed bumps as an answer to the problem.
The other issue would be Moorfield Rd which also has a weight restriction - whatever measures are implented for Barrows Green Lane would also need to be used in Moorfield Rd in order that traffic is not diverted to that road.
I'm hoping to see the CSO's in the next few days - I want to know how they view the effectiveness of their recent actions, eg contacting hauliers that have been using Barrows Green Lane - our surveys indicate that problems continue. Also will be discussing any other ideas they have re dealing with the problem. I've been looking at what other local authorities are doing and want to discuss this with the police
It looks like all the recent activities of local residents are paying off - it certainly seems that we're getting some action at last, lets just hope it's effective!
If anyone wants to be present at our meeting with the police please let us know.
Tel 0151 423 1692
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Recycling Fridges and Furniture!
Following a request by an older resident in Halton View ward (see earlier blog) about recyling white goods etc I contacted the council to see whether they provided a free service for people on low incomes, including pensioners.
Retailers of course will usually take your old one for disposal but in some cases this is not possible.
Apparantly the council do not provide a free service although I understand some councils do. However the British Heart Foundation in St Helens will offer a free collection and recycling service for working white appliances and three piece suites which have the normal sefety label attached.
This service is available to anybody who has an item for disposal that's in a reasonable condition.
I've emailed Halton council's Direct Link to suggest that they let people know of this service.
To contact the British Heart Foundation in St Helens phone them on 08444994171
Retailers of course will usually take your old one for disposal but in some cases this is not possible.
Apparantly the council do not provide a free service although I understand some councils do. However the British Heart Foundation in St Helens will offer a free collection and recycling service for working white appliances and three piece suites which have the normal sefety label attached.
This service is available to anybody who has an item for disposal that's in a reasonable condition.
I've emailed Halton council's Direct Link to suggest that they let people know of this service.
To contact the British Heart Foundation in St Helens phone them on 08444994171
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Fencing and Housing Trusts!
Have been trying to help a couple of residents in Halton View in relation to fencing on their property which has been pulled down, possibly by young people. The fencing had consisted of heavy duty wire netting and has disappeared.
This persons garden has become an area for the dumping of cans etc and occasionally a meeting place for young people. The property belongs to Halton Housing Trust and they will normally only repair fencing and not replace it.
So the residents have a dilemma it hasn't been their fault; they are genuinely unable to do anything about the situation and can't afford to reinstate the fence.
I've been in touch with the Housing Trust to see if anything can be done - if any one has a similar problem please let us know.
This persons garden has become an area for the dumping of cans etc and occasionally a meeting place for young people. The property belongs to Halton Housing Trust and they will normally only repair fencing and not replace it.
So the residents have a dilemma it hasn't been their fault; they are genuinely unable to do anything about the situation and can't afford to reinstate the fence.
I've been in touch with the Housing Trust to see if anything can be done - if any one has a similar problem please let us know.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Video Survey HGV traffic Barrows Green
I'm sure you've noticed the increase in all types of traffic on Barrows Green Lane and Moorfield Rd. This seems to be due to the roadworks on the By-Pass.
To add to the evidence we've been collecting over the past six weeks on HGV movements in the area we are hopefully going to carry out a video survey on Friday 9th May for a period of approximately 6 hours to add to the information we've already collected.
This will be used in various ways to make the strongest case for the police and council to act to reduce if not completely halt HGV movements in the area.
In order to corroborate the video survey it would be useful for as many people in the area to record on forms we are using HGV movements on the 9th particularly from 0930 to 1600.
If you can help please contact 423 1692.
To add to the evidence we've been collecting over the past six weeks on HGV movements in the area we are hopefully going to carry out a video survey on Friday 9th May for a period of approximately 6 hours to add to the information we've already collected.
This will be used in various ways to make the strongest case for the police and council to act to reduce if not completely halt HGV movements in the area.
In order to corroborate the video survey it would be useful for as many people in the area to record on forms we are using HGV movements on the 9th particularly from 0930 to 1600.
If you can help please contact 423 1692.
Friday, 2 May 2008
Greens close the gap in Halton View ward!
Just want to say a big, big thanks to all the people who voted for me in the elections in Halton View ward on May 1st.
We finished a close second to Labour with only 130 votes separating us. To give you some idea of how close we are, given current voting patterns only 66 more votes at the next election from Labour voters would secure a seat in Halton View ward!!
I'm sure, on this years results, that we stand an extremely good chance of taking the seat at the next election in 2010. I'm equally sure that having Green representation on the council will be really beneficial to the area.
Again thanks for all those voting Green and for those who didn't and want to see the possibilty of real positive change in Halton please consider voting Green next time round.
We finished a close second to Labour with only 130 votes separating us. To give you some idea of how close we are, given current voting patterns only 66 more votes at the next election from Labour voters would secure a seat in Halton View ward!!
I'm sure, on this years results, that we stand an extremely good chance of taking the seat at the next election in 2010. I'm equally sure that having Green representation on the council will be really beneficial to the area.
Again thanks for all those voting Green and for those who didn't and want to see the possibilty of real positive change in Halton please consider voting Green next time round.
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