High Street

High Street closed before I made it up on the bike so a quick reversal and then down Bourne End Road, Astwood Road College Road and into the uni. Round Shire Lane up to Nissan and back into the campus. Thank God the rain has stopped. But loads of gravel is still jumping around on College Road.

Cranfield Cemetery visitors/friends' group

Cranfield Cemetery is a key service provided by the parish council. The council has developed and invested in it in recent years in preparation for an expected growth in population. It has also redesigned and enhanced the memorial garden.

Unsurprisingly, there is a regular engagement with the public on the state of the cemetery and the facilities, some of it quite animated. In line with many other public service providers I am, therefore, proposing a visitors’ group, which would meet with a nominated parish councillor or parish councillors. The aim would be to hear issues and deal with enquiries and simultaneously to provide feedback to those concerned enough to attend. This would not exclude contact with the parish council on an ad hoc, day to day basis.

It might meet just twice a year plus a site visit during the growing season, perhaps. Non-parish council membership would be flexible and self-selecting. The group’s views would not be binding on the parish council in any way but ideally it should be listening to what its members are saying.

If the parish council agrees to this proposal I would place an advert in the October Cranfield Express seeking expressions of interest.

Hot material

My own experience of road resurfacing in Flitwick this week was daunting. On Monday morning, having dithered over a second cup of tea I left it a bit too late. By the time I got to Steppingley Road, Flitwick it was being closed off at the Tesco roundabout for about 200 metres. This handily blocked the entrance to the station car parks (rip-off First Capital Connect and value for money Cowlgrove). I decided to head for Harlington rather than cruise the suburbs of Flitwick looking for a spot. I cannot recall any prominent notices the previous week announcing that this was all happening and I have not the faintest idea how people who parked at the station and came back before 5 pm actually got out.

Vehicles are unable to drive over hot material

We are waiting, trembling, for the impact of road resurfacing on the High Street, next week. Bedfordshire Highways say:

I am pleased to tell you of highway improvements that are due to start in your area. The resurfacing of the High Street (junction of Mill Road to Merchant Lane) will commence 23 August and is expected to take 7 working days to complete.

Works are scheduled to take place between 08:00 and 18:00 but on rare occasions may overrun due to circumstances beyond our control. The above section will be closed as a through route during these hours and will only be opened when it is safe for all road users.

Vehicles are unable to drive over hot material. Therefore, at the time resurfacing takes place in your vicinity, vehicular access to / from your property may not be available.

Pedestrian access to / from properties affected by this restriction will be maintained at all times as will access for emergency vehicles.

Staff will be positioned throughout the site to help predict these individual restrictions to you.

In order to carry out these works we must ask you to ensure that vehicles are not parked on the affected stretch of carriageway during these hours. Advance warning signs will be in place confirming the start date and expected duration although this is subject to change due to extenuating circumstances. If it is necessary to adjust these details, the warning signs will be altered accordingly.

Should you require further information regarding these works then please do not hesitate to contact us during office hours on 0300 300 8049. We apologise for any disruption this may cause and thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.

Farmers' market

Farmers market this morning. Bought 2 applies pies and a slice of carrot cake from Sue. The only stall. Anyone any ideas for what next?

News Central

I'm wondering what the future of News Central, Central Beds' quarterly newsletter is. Communities secretary Eric Pickles has asserted that there will be a crack down on what have been called 'Town Hall Pravdas' (Chicksands Daily Telegraph to give it is local variation) . It's hard to tell how much money will be saved but local government of whatever political persuasion has struggled to get a fair hearing with the local media. There is the added difficulty that the free papers do not necessarily reach everyone and there are plenty of people who are not internet junkies - unlike the parishmatters blogger! So how will people be informed both about what is being done and how they can participate?