It happens in Cranfield

Full council February

2012-02-14T07:56:00.000Z

Full council tomorrow night is at the university. We are grateful to Cran U for the facilities and we hope to hold one meeting a year there to mark the fact that we represent both the village of Cranfield and Wharley End and its student population.

We will be looking again at street names for Home Farm and there is a speaker from CBC about the issue of broadband in the village.

Agenda for full council at the University

2012-02-14T07:53:00.000Z

MEETING OF THE FULL PARISH COUNCIL 8.00pm

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE that a meeting of the above named Parish Council and its Committees will be held at Cranfield University, Mitchell Hall, Cardington Room/Senior Lounge

on Wednesday, 15th February 2012 at 7.30pm

All members of the Council are hereby summoned to attend for the purpose of resolving upon the business to be transacted at the meeting/s as set out hereunder.

…………………………………….

Clerk of the Council

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

7.30pm – James Cushing (CBC) - Broadband

8pm Meeting of the Full Parish Council

^1.To receive apologies for absence

^2.To receive declarations of personal and/or prejudicial interests in any matter

^3.To confirm the minutes of the last meeting[s] [copy herewith]

^4.Clerks Report

^5.Health & Safety

^6.Reports from Committees

6.1. General Purposes Committee

6.2. Burial Grounds Committee

6.3. Environment Committee

6.4. Planning Committee

^7.Correspondence

^8.Financial matters and accounts for payment

^9.Reports from unitary councillors (and any other representative)

^10.Highway matters

Amey and Crane Way

2012-02-14T07:50:00.002Z

Off to a meeting with Amey in Crane Way this morning to find out why they put in bollards without previous agreement and shifted people's drop kerbs around without consultation. We need some notification when they are planning to do work in the village. Maybe there is some but its not obvious.

Home Farm access worries grow

2012-02-13T02:25:00.000Z

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Path-row-leads-to-ghost-town-fears-for-estate-11022012.htm
Some local coverage arising from issues around pedestrian access from Home Farm to central Cranfield. The whole choice of this location rests on its pedestrian integration with the rest of the village.

What's in a name?

2012-02-09T16:11:00.000Z

Central Beds have gone back to the drawing board (or the computer screen these days) regarding the plan to borrow Lodge Road as a street name for the Home farm Development. That's scrubbed, Lodge Road is back to being just Lodge Road and we have to think of how to name the spine road. I'd go for Thillans - currently allocated to the Goodman land section. We could adopt the unused Crow Lane for that. We're discussing it on 15 February.

Tree grief

2012-02-09T16:03:00.000Z

The Parish Council is getting some grief about trees that have been cut down at the entrance to the Recreation Ground.

It might seem grim but this work was only approved after a pretty careful inspection of all the mature trees in the parish. Many of them were old, dangerous, dying or all three.

Ok just like the parish council I hear, noises off. The action we have taken reflects our awareness of the need for constant maintenance of our tree population. They might look pretty but if your five year old grand daughter was under a falling trunk you might feel differently. Damned if we do and double damned if we don't

Stakeholder

2012-02-07T08:26:00.000Z

Always sounds a bit rum 'stakeholder'. Maybe the committee member designated to deal with Dracula perhaps? But its just the means by which Central Beds Council, developer Persimmon and local representatives deal with issues around the Home Farm development.

Last night's stakeholder shed no light on the key issue - if Persimmon do not strike a deal with Denison who own a key tranche of land the developer cannot deliver a section 138 provision (footpath access to Court road) and therefore no house can be occupied. If that does happen, CBC will have to move against it through an enforcement notice. As Sir Alex Ferguson would say in his pithy made-in-Govan way, squeaky bum time.

No huge enlightenment on how Lodge Road has been rerouted into the development. One suggestion is that the remaining part would become Lodge Lane? One parishioner present objected vocally. Persimmon are denying responsibility for name choosing while Hannah Pattinson, planning officer is pursuing.

CBC Councillor Sue Clark pressed Martin Wright (Persimmon) on whether the wheel washing was actually taking place although her CBC colleague Alan Bastable felt Lodge Road had looked better recently. I haven't cycled it since last week due to weather and other commitments.

School land is unresolved but I did get a confirmation that under the local development framework (which allocates 135 houses to central motors and 22 to the university 'derelict houses' site at Lodge Road) there is an additional plot of land allocated for a lower school near Central Motors. This will not have houses if a school is not constructed there.

If the school playing field on Home Farm is not used for educational purposes it could, however, be built on.

What's in a name?

2012-02-06T16:07:00.003Z

Indeed what is in a name? The Parish Council was asked to suggest street names for Home farm some time ago. There were some nice ones including Ramsey Abbey Close and Thillans - relating to old landownership. Now Central Beds have come back and it would appear Persimmon are planning to take the existing Lodge Road name into the development.

Presumably the remaining Lodge Road from Pipers Lodge down to Ivy Cottage still stays as Lodge Road leading to endless confusion and an untidy look on the map. CBC say they have already sent these new addresses out to the Royal Mail. What?

Land is what we need

2012-02-05T11:49:00.000Z

Land is what we are short of in Cranfield. If you get planning permission for houses it makes you a millionaire. So people hang on to it even if just grows grass.

Current needs are allotments, enlargement of the cemetery, sports pitches for the colts, playgroup site (possible accommodated by Home farm), surgery and really vital accessible land for the Lower School. Of course the Home Farm planning permission 'solved' that by creating a playing field a quarter of a mile from the school across a busy road. It's no surprise that the Lower School is still looking for space to expand.

I've already pointed out in Cranfield Express that the footprint of Holywell school is huge and the buildings occupy at just one third of it. So why not put the Lower School in there? The two schools are both Church of England and the C of E retains the land. Seems a no-brainer to me.

Covanta

2012-01-07T15:20:00.000Z

Watch out for a report in Beds on Sunday tomorrow about the petitions v Covanta collated by Cllr Sue Clark and presented to Parliament

Diamond Jubilee

2012-01-07T15:18:00.000Z

Claire Jenkins from Cranfield Guides emailed me to ask about local plans to mark the Diamond Jubilee in the village. Claire wants to get guides involved and is keen to work with the parish council and other interested local organisations and individuals.

I have asked for this to be discussed at the PC on Wednesday 1 February - feel free to come along (Holywell School, 8 pm). In the meantime please contact Claire on agent-jenkins@tiscali.co.uk and let me have your ideas and thoughts as well. broadgreen68@btinternet.com

Minutes of the last Home Farm stakeholder meeting

2012-01-05T15:42:00.000Z

Lodge Road Works: Almost all road works to Lodge Road now complete, some tidying up works to still be finished off.

Discussion with regard to the possibility of a “no left turn” on Lodge Road, concluded that the scheme makes it difficult to turn left, but not impossible especially for small vehicles. The road layout situation was judged better than previous situation.

Cllr Bastable raised the issue of mud on the road. Martin Wright of Persimmon apologised on behalf of Persimmon, explained issues with regard to subcontractors not having regard of the road situation. Various discussions on the road situation followed, all agreed that the situation was improved after Persimmon hired a heavy duty road cleaning vehicle to clear back log of dirt.

Martin Wright outlined the method which will be used on site, from he believed today (28.11.11) which is a stoned area on the site for suitable drainage and a jet washer. Some concern was raised that this would not be a suitable solution, and that a purpose built wheel washer was required. There will also be once a day cleaning of the road, MW was not exactly sure of the timing of this, Cllr Matthews requested that the timing of the road cleaning by sent to members of the meeting once MW has confirmed.

Issue of deliveries arriving at site before 8am, MW confirmed that the site manager has been turning delivery vehicles away to comply with conditions.

Cllr Matthews confirmed that CBC would enforce against any further breech of conditions especially relating to mud on the road/wheel cleaning. MW stated that HP has given final warning with regard to breech of conditions, and the Enforcement Officer has been in contact with regard to this issue. It was agreed that the condition of the road will continue to be monitored and Persimmon would implement their new measures and if this was not sufficient to satisfy CBC then enforcement action would be taken.

It was discussed that the paths were also muddy, MW said he would look into the issue, cleaning would take place if necessary. Cllr Bastable read out an extract from local news letter, about the works that have been carried out with regard to mud on the road by Persimmon, and the future works that would be carried out. MW agreed that it was a fair representation of what had been undertaken and the intention to continue keeping the road clear.

Next meeting

2012-01-05T15:36:00.003Z

The full parish council will be on 18 January at 8 pm in Holywell Middle School.

Crane Way

2012-01-05T15:36:00.000Z

We have been chasing Amey about various modifications they made to Crane Way last year. They have either declined to respond or passed our comments on to the "Watchman in chief'. Who has not responded. The pursuit is getting hotter.

On that score where is the consultation on the traffic calming? Is it finished on January 18 or starting? Sorry to be so in the dark

Village Hall

2012-01-05T15:32:00.000Z

Representatives from the Village Hall management committee attended out last meeting before Christmas. They have sought additional funds (allowed for in our current annual budget) for painting the steel braces on the roof trusses. I proposed that we agree the £3,400 (approx) cost and members have authorised this.
There are offers on the former caretaker's house and with these funds the VHMC are hoping to open the hall in time for the Diamond Jubilee in June. We wish them good luck in their venture.

Home farm

2012-01-05T15:24:00.000Z

I didn't want to start the year with Home Farm but I'll sort the good news first. Cranfield's Battle of Passchendale, Lodge Road knee deep in mud, seems to have ended for the moment. Lodge Road is reasonably clear and Lodge Road residents are not raising any issues. If there are still problems I'm keen to hear.

However, I'm sure you knew there a however coming, I was amazed that options regarding the proposed community hall are only surfacing now. We knew that we could run it ourselves or devolve to a management company (selected by Persimmon) which would mean levying a charge on residents in home farm.

Now we learn we can also opt to either build it ourselves on Home farm or on another site, with money provided by the developer.

Choice is great. I'm all for it. But these additional choices were never made known to us by Persimmon/CBC-MBDC in the past. Two years ago we were rushed into agreeing a spec by Persimmon because it all had to be done and dusted. That urgency seems less understandable now.

£270 million for a rail link between Oxford and Bedford

2011-12-09T15:27:00.000Z

The title above was an eyecatching detail in the chancellor's autumn statement. Parish Matters wont go into the macro economics of structural deficits and yields on government debt but anything that improves the Bletchley-Bedford Cinderella line extending it to Oxford has got to be good news for our local economy, cars off the road and just plain days out. After that they can put in the jigsaw piece between Bedford and cambridge

Village hall

2011-12-04T14:15:00.000Z

I attended the AGM of the village hall management committee on Wednesday. Earlier reports that the house had been sold have been dashed due to the buyer withdrawing in the light of a survey. This is hugely disappointing as a sale at a decent price is needed to progress the project. We have now missed the centenary tear

Dr Reddy

2011-12-04T14:11:00.000Z

With hundreds of others I crammed into the parish church for the funeral service of Dr 'Gina' Reddy on Friday. It was a moving and poignant occasion and the affection the village felt for her was clear. That affection was also felt by her, it was clear, from her wish to be buried in Cranfield cemetery. She died tragically early before the fruitful retirement which she richly deserved. Our thoughts are with Dominic and Anita.

Home Farm mudbath

2011-11-17T15:18:00.000Z

Some encouraging news has come through about road cleaning in Lodge Road:

We recently applied a ‘back to black’ machine that cleans roads literally back to their original position. We have also increased the frequency of Persimmon road sweeps. We have a meeting with the utilities company this-afternoon to try and get the water on as quickly as possible so that we can carry out wheel cleaning on site.

Parish Council

2011-11-17T10:36:00.000Z

Other headlines

Traffic calming - backed proposals for fewer raised tables, some wider raised tables/platforms, single roundabout at Crane way, new Coop corner and no pelican crossing at the cross keys. Now it goes out to consultation. I'll be flagging up where you can respond.

Colts - keen to develop better changing facilities in the recreation ground. Colts do more for young people in this village than anyone else. I hope we can meet their needs.

Diocese of St Albans is considering our enquiry about buying land for a cemetery extension.

The village caretaker's house is sold. Really sold. Like for money. Should ensure renovation of the hall goes ahead.

Clock chimes

2011-11-17T10:25:00.000Z

As parish council representative at the war memorial on Sunday I was both horrified and mortified that the clock chimes which we are responsible for were not functioning at 11 am on Sunday - a key moment in the annual calendar. We understand the church has been routinely switching off the chimes for bell ringing on a Thursday evening and these have not been switched on again until after church on Sunday - two and a half days. Given the efforts we made four years ago to ensure that the chimes were not silenced at any time this is amazing.

We have agreed the following actions regarding the failure of the church clock to chime on Sunday and during the 2 mins silence on Friday.

1. We write to the Royal British Legion apologising for this lapse in a piece of equipment we are responsible for and promising that we will ensure this does not happen again.
2. We request by letter and email that the church with immediate effect switches the chimes back on after bell-ringing on Thursday and leaves them on until bell-ringing on Sunday morning. They should then be switched on again immediately after the morning service. 3. We ask the clerk to put a letter into Cranfield Express (deadline end of this week) explaining our actions and the circumstances.

Church chimes

2011-11-14T20:59:00.000Z

I am informed that the church authorities routinely switch off the chimes from Thursday night bell ringing until after church Sunday. Still checking this but we will be discussing this on Wednesday evening. We fought a major legal battle in 2007 to ring the chimes 24/7. More soon.

Lodge Road

2011-11-14T10:04:00.000Z

Is it a public thoroughfare or the works entrance to the Home Farm Building site? I'm still trying to crack this one. More info on Thursday night at the Home farm stakeholder meeting.

Clock chimes off? Not on my watch

2011-11-14T10:02:00.000Z

Ceremony at the War memorial yesterday but someone switched the church clock chimes off and didn't put them back on? So no tolling of the 11th hour. Investigations are continuing. We'll keep you posted

Road cleaning

2011-11-11T16:38:00.000Z

I understand there was a road cleaner on Lodge Road this morning doing a passable job.

Confining a building site

2011-11-10T14:51:00.001Z

Email sent this morning. Forwarded to Cranfield PC and Persimmon.
It has to be remembered that this isn't just about the residents in in Lodge Road. There's the school buses, Theo who is blind, me cycling and loads of other Cranfield residents who use Lodge Road as thoroughfare through to Court Road, by foot, on bikes with stabilisers and with push chairs. I hope we don't have to wait til the stakeholder meeting on 17 November for some resolution.

Thank you Laurence

I walked the road this morning. Bearing in mind background on the technical side of road construction you would find, if tested, that the stopping distance for vehicles in the slippery conditions caused by the wet mud coating will have at least doubled. The risk to pedestrians, aside from skidding vehicles is proportionally increased and can be equated to walking on black ice. Bearing in mind that there are a lot of unsteady and elderly residents on Lodge Road and in the village it is totally unacceptable and is in Health and Safety a Significant Risk. There are additional enviromental risks of uncontrolled and potentially contaminated materials in the public domain and water courses. The erection of warning signs do not reduce risk or more importantly liability. Hastily erected hand written signs don't count.

I would also point out that as you have informed the local authority and the main contractor,Persimmon Homes, who cannot swerve their liabilities as it is their site and all works / subcontractors on the site whether directly or indirectly employed come under responsibility and liabilty, should there be a serious incident on the public highway ie Lodge Road or the surrounding highways then the police will investigate using what is called the "Death Manual" It is obvious that the existing road conditions would be found to be a significant " factor in most cases" which means that local and senior managers up to director level are liable to private prosecution from the Local Authority, to Highways management , Persimmon and all the contactors and sub contractors involved in the site. The HSE take a very dim veiw and will also prosecute.

To remove the risk which is possible and therefore legally required the source of the problem has to be removed / rectified.

In this case it requires several changes to working procedures and practises of which the installation and maintainance of a powerful water recycling wheel wash combined with a jetting roadsweeper.

The comment is right "" the building site should stay within the confines of its fenced restraints and not allowed to spread and affect the lives of the residents of Lodge Road and Cranfield"""

Cash for access

2011-11-08T10:03:00.000Z

http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Tories-under-fire-over-fundraising-dinner-04112011.htm

One commentator on the Beds on Sunday article states;

The Keech Hospice may want to review the Charity Commission's rules on joint fundraising with political parties: "Entering into a joint fundraising venture with a political party will almost certainly result in the charity giving support to that party, politician or political candidate. This would breach charity law."

I have to admit I hadn't thought of this issue up to now.

Lodge Road

2011-11-08T08:30:00.000Z

Anger has been building in Lodge Road among residents who find the road often unwashed and, even when it is washed, still a mess due to the lorries carrying mud on and off the Home Farm site. One resident rang me this morning in some distress, living on Lodge Road he says, is like living on a building site.

Last week the Parish Council agreed to call for a Persimmon/TW/CBC site meeting to look at the state of the road and the desperate need for a proper wheel wash for those vehicles. I'm trying to speed up that process.

I have noted the mess myself stretching all the way down the Salford Road, not just in Lodge Road. To my knowledge CBC has not responded to emails I have sent about this recently

Cash for access

2011-11-06T13:03:00.000Z

This is a copy of my letter to Baroness Warsi, co-chair of the Conservative Party regarding the Event involving Michael Gove at Woburn Safari Park on 18 November.

I am writing in connection with a public event organised by Mid Beds Conservative Association on 18 November at Woburn Safari Park.

It is also the Association's annual dinner and fundraiser with Michael Gove in his role as secretary of state for education, which I heard about via an email to our Parish Council clerk (see below).

This is the first time I have encountered the local Conservative Association using civic communication channels to invite members of the public to a party function. This is highly inappropriate, similar to an MP using their House of Commons postage for party matters.

If Mr Gove has time to come to Bedfordshire to meet the public and answers questions I don't think the local Conservative Association should be charging the public for the right to hear him. Cash for access to ministers is an unfortunate trend in national politics. I speak as a Labour Party member and I have noted the same trends with the last government. I object to it wherever it occurs and when it turns up in Bedfordshire and in my parish council emails I am obliged to challenge it.

I would welcome a response from you that recognises that MBCA's marketing of the event and Mr Gove is wrong, it will not happen again and a assurance that this is not happening elsewhere.

Our Parish Council voted to complain to MBCA regarding this email. I have also been quoted in the local media voicing my own objections.

It is vital that governments, of whatever political colour, make it clear that ministers are not available on payment of a fee.

Yours sincerely

PCllr Laurence Pollock

8 Broad Green

Cranfield

Bedford MK43 0JQ

Cash for access to government ministers?

2011-11-04T05:46:00.001Z

The Parish Council is planning to write a complaint to Mid Beds Conservative Association who are using access to the secretary of state for education Michael Gove as local fundraiser for their party.

To my amazement this invitation - see below - to a MBCA event at £50 a head, half going to Keech and half to the Party was circulated through local parish councils. This is totally inappropriate. Those emails lists are for civic, non party-political information.

After Fox and Werrity (and new Labour wasn't without its cash for access and favours scandals) don't they ever learn?

I will also be writing to Baroness Warsi, co-chair of the Conservative Party making my own personal complaint. Is Mr Gove generally for hire for weddings, christenings and barmitzvahs?

From: Admin [mailto:admin@midbedsconservatives.com]
Sent: 31 October 2011 09:42
To: Admin
Subject: Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Dinner 18th November 2011

Mid Beds Conservative Association

Annual Dinner

Friday 18th November 2011

Your chance to meet with guest speaker

Rt Hon Michael Gove MP

Secretary of State for Education

Speech and questions from the floor

Woburn Safari Lodge

Woburn Park, Woburn, Beds MK17 9QN

Heads & Tails

Tombola

Tickets £50.00

Please call or email

01462 811992 or admin@midbedsconservatives.com

Proceeds to be divided equally between

Keech Hospice Care & MBCA

7.30pm    Guests arrive                            Dress   Lounge suit

8.00pm    Dinner

9.30pm    Speaker and Questions

10.30pm Coffee

11.30pm Carriages

Mid Beds Conservatives Association

St Michael's Close

High Street

Shefford

Beds

SG17 5DD

Traffic calming disappointment

2011-11-04T05:31:00.000Z

The revised traffic calming cuts down the number of raised tables. It seems like there is a consensus on that one. But the lack of a pelican or light controlled crossing at the Cross Keys is a major set back. Alan Morris puts it very well:

It's disappointing that the proposal to covert the pedestrian crossing, outside the Cross Keys in Cranfield, to be light controlled has been removed from the traffic calming plan.

The reason that the Parish Council originally supported this idea was to provide one crossing in the village which would allow those members of the village who are visually impaired (one of whom is a Parish Councillor) to be made aware that it is safe to step off the curb.

Modern cars, particularly hybrid cars in electric drive mode, are very quiet so a blind person would not be in a position to know that a car was near and would not be able to stop if one ventured onto the crossing.

I am aware that transport officers take the view that motorist understand pedestrians have right of way and thus will always yield to a person standing at a crossing. This is a kindly view of the British driver, touching in it's sentiment but utterly unrealistic - I'm just glad that I'm not visually impaired and don't run the risk of being impaled by a motorist who is late for an appointment and does not wish to lose more time by stopping at crossing!

Check out the police

2011-10-27T10:22:00.000+01:00

If you are reading this, you are on line. And you could join sign up to facebook (I can feel the shudders). But there are big pluses like keeping up with Bedfordshire Police's facebook presence. You don't have to be a hoodie - even parish councillors and the police are doing it now. See the postings below copied from Beds police facebook page: They will respond to questions and you can sound off.

Bedfordshire Police

Government organisation

Bedfordshire Police ·

Everyone (Most recent)

Wall

Chrissy Thumper Fernandes
Can you please tell me what was happening around the Pearcey Rd Area of Bedford yestersay afternoon? Had an Officer call at my door but by the time I got downstairs he said "Not to worry and went running off" There were lots of officers and a lot of activity in the area. But I have had no explanation as to why they were knocking on my door. Thanks
· · 12 minutes ago ·
Bedfordshire Police Hello Chrissy, Officers attended the area in search of a wanted person who was subsequently arrested. Thanks.
10 minutes ago ·
Chrissy Thumper Fernandes OK, thanks. still doesn't explain why they knocked on my door...it did take me some time to get downstairs as I am disabled, and having 3 children in the house was quite concerning.
9 minutes ago ·
Bedfordshire Police
Officers from the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team are keen to trace witnesses to a robbery which happened in Harefield Road, Luton on Monday evening (October 24).
· · Share · 23 minutes ago ·
Mari Lulu This is terrible! It happened to a friend of mine years ago while she stopped at a traffic light...since the day she told me what happened to her I always lock my doors whilst driving. I know it is not good in case of an accident, but I can't help it...I am terrified at the thought that someone can get in my car and hurt me
8 minutes ago ·
Donna Major Clark Very scary as i live not too far hope you catch the scumbags responsible!
7 minutes ago · · 1 person
Graham Anthony
I was told today that someone had heard on a Local Radio station that the Junction with the Packhorse pub in Kensworth and the A5 has become the Largest "Crash for Cash" spot in the U.K. ? Is this correct if so I just wondered why nothing has been in the Local Newspapers Warning people ?.....
· · 7 hours ago ·
Charlene Graham
what was all the police cars doing today at around 15.35pm at darwin road and surrounding areas in bedford?? we counted 12 police cars parked on various streets round that area and a further few driving past on our way home through harrowden road bedford.
· · 12 hours ago ·
Rachel Grierson likes this.
Bedfordshire Police Hello Charlene, Officers attended the area in search of a wanted person who was subsequently arrested.
16 minutes ago ·

Village hall

2011-10-27T10:14:00.000+01:00

Meeting of the village hall management committee last night. While the roofing is going ahead (Phase 1) the difficulty in selling the former caretaker's house is a blow and could affect resources available for overall works. The AGM of the Management Committee is on Wednesday 30 November at St Peter and St Paul Church. The committee needs as many volunteers to service and fresh ideas as possible.

Lodge Road disturbances

2011-10-27T10:11:00.000+01:00

Lodge Roaders still being affected by working starting early on Home Farm and lorries 'parking up'. Martin seems to be on the case. See below.

Dear Laurence,

Thank-you for your note. Hannah has already raised this point with us previously and I did address the concerns immediately with our construction teams. I am disappointed that this is still not being adhered and will discuss this again with the relevant people.

Kind regards,

Martin Wright

Senior Land Manager

Persimmon Homes

From: Laurence Pollock [mailto:broadgreen68@btinternet.com]
Sent: 25 October 2011 10:14
To: Wright, Martin
Cc: Hannah.Pattinson@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk; Rosie Davey-Hunt; D.BALL; Alan Bastable; sue.clark@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Subject: Lodge Road

Martin, I have learned with concern that there has been infringement of the planning consent regulations in Lodge Road. A resident has told me that construction work was going on at 7.15 last Thursday and lorries have been parking up onLodge Road. I carried out a visit this morning and several lorries were parked up on Lodge Road at 7.40. I understand the resident has asked them not to continue this practice and I am sure you will want to emphasise that. I also noted that a fence construction company was also working on site at 7.40.

Now that construction has started again we are hoping this can be done in a way that inconveniences residents as little as possible.

Best wishes
Laurence

Laurence Pollock
Parish Councillor
8 Broad Green
Cranfield

bus services

2011-10-21T12:32:00.000+01:00

Well done to the Bedford Area Bus Users' Society Society for highlighting the cuts Central Beds is making to public transport. As I reported in the previous post the council officials at the transport consultation event attended by Alan Morris and myself described our input as a 'Wish list'. Not encouraging.

We need to get beyond wishes.

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?PBID=5e282046-f9ed-4368-9df8-78956bc97001&refresh=

Bus planning

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000+01:00

I went to a Central Beds consultation on the local area transport plan with Alan Morris. Please note that the Central Beds officers described it as a 'wish list'. I don't know if there are any bus fairies around but here goes anyway.

Alan reports:

A meeting took place at Eversholt Hall on Thursday 6th October attended by Parish Councillors Alan Morris and Laurence Pollock, Central Beds Councillor Alan Bastable together with councilors from Marston, Millbrook and Ridgmont. The meeting was hosted by Jim Tombe with presentations given by Manouchehr Nahvi both Officers from Central Beds Council. The purpose of the meeting as explained by Jim Tombe was to discuss the transport ‘wishes’ of the villages in the western end of CBC. The formal minutes of the meeting are attached to this email.

On behalf of Cranfield Village the following points were emphasised:
1. That the bus services linking Cranfield with Bedford and locations in the Central Beds area are being seriously reduced due to cuts in the financial support given to bus operators. It was made clear that this deteriorating situation was unacceptable and that any new transport plan should endeavour to rectify this as a priority matter.

2. In dealing with future bus services the Cranfield representatives encouraged CBC to look for ways forward that matched the needs of the village communities through the employment of imaginative solutions. It was pointed out that discussions had been opened by Cranfield Parish Council with Milton Keynes and Arriva for creating an effective service linking Cranfield to MK which would come into effect next year and might involve the creation of an express commuter service to MK station. This could be considered by CBC for an express service from Cranfield via Marston to Flitwich station.

3. The importance of creating a cycle and pedestrian link between Cranfield Village and Cranfield University to allow students and staff to cycle or walk to work was explained.

Holes in the ground

2011-10-21T11:50:00.000+01:00

I have been informed that we have an infestation of fieldmice in the cemetery who are drilling lots of unsightly holes in the grass. Last year it was moles. Then the current outbreak was attributed to voles. Now we have mice.

Open Evening

2011-10-21T11:48:00.000+01:00

The open evening on October 12 was well attended by both parish councillors and members of the public. Thanks to Central Beds councillor Sue Clarke for rearranging a commitment to come. It was good to have input about the links between the parish and the unitary authority.

We are also grateful to Peter Haddon and Colleen Dinner at Holywell Middle School for facilitating the space and the materials for tea and coffee.

While it was a taster for those who might consider parish council membership there was also attendance from individuals representing organisations we work in partnership with such as the Village hall management committee and the parochial church council.

Covanta

2011-10-21T11:41:00.000+01:00

Old news now I know but as its green bin weekend I've been thinking about one of the implications of Covanta. The bid to cut landfill has actually boosted recycling and a lot of people go to a lot of trouble to separate out their plastics, paper etc from food and other waste and this all gets reused in some way or another. Its only Friday and our green bin's stuffed but there was hardly anything in the residual bin the previous Monday (thanks to the brown waste food bin and our compost bin outside plus the green stuff).

But Covanta can't really make a profit unless it burns everything. So that whole culture of careful reuse is all going to be dumped.

Of course there are other objections to Covanta like hundreds of lorries a day.

CBC Children's centre consultation

2011-10-19T15:40:00.001+01:00

Use this link to read the CBC consultation on children's centres and to respond.

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/images/110927%20CC%20Consultation%20Document%20v9%20Final_tcm5-42097.pdf

Children's centres

2011-10-19T15:39:00.000+01:00

We'll be talking about Central Beds plans to cuts back Sure Start children's services in the village - after shelving plans for a permanent centre last winter. As usual options take the form of

'Do you want to be
A Hung?
B Drawn?
C Quartered?'

The option 'None of the above is not available.'

My draft proposals to the Parish Council for our response are as follows:

A new consultation on the location of Sure Start Children’s Centres in Central Beds means the end of at least some or possibly all services in the village.

Sure Start offers children a better start in life through early education, health and family support. It has been running for the last decade.

There are sessions at Cranfield Lower School, the Methodist Church and the Scout Hut five days a week. These include baby and crawler, baby clinic, story and rhyme, creative play, toy library, new parents and Cranberry stay and play.

Proposals for a permanent centre at the lower school were pulled by Central Beds last December, after staff and governors had spent 18 months in preparation.

CBC says that Government guidance issued to Councils last year stated that while children’s centres were a universal service there should be a targeted approach to vulnerable children and families.

‘There is a need for a more focused approach to early intervention in Central Bedfordshire which targets areas of greatest need.’

In consequence it proposes three options

1. Services ‘clustered’ rounds Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Flitwick, Sandy, Biggleswade, Shefford and Stotfold & Arlesey.

Outcome: Reduced services to Cranfield

2. Close eight centres including Cranfield in areas of ‘less need’ and transfer these resources to the remaining 14 centres.

Outcome: No services in Cranfield

3. Close 13 centres in areas of less need and transfer these resources to Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard, Sandy and Flitwick.

Outcome: No services in Cranfield

Cranfield is being downgraded on some crude average of income and lifestyle but it is a large village with a growing population and should not be told it is losing out to other communities. We were told last December that money for the new centre was being transferred to Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable and I don’t see why we should lose even more.

I propose that we endorse none of the above options but write, stating that the consultation is flawed, lacking an option which would have preserved these services and calling for CBC to reconsider any plans to scale down services to Cranfield.

Kick walls

2011-10-11T21:08:00.000+01:00

Kick walls paid for with Lincroft 106 money now going up in the Rec, Broad Green and Wharley End

Persimmon build

2011-10-11T21:06:00.000+01:00

Message from Martin Wright at Persimmon Homes.

Good morning all,
We just wanted to let you know that we have now received approval of all
Reserved matters, and prior to commencement conditions and will be making a
start on-site today. This will initially see the construction of the
Persimmon show home and the surrounding houses.

Hopefully the contractors vehicles will fit into the local environment more easily and they might stay off the 'quiet lane'.

Open evening

2011-10-11T21:04:00.000+01:00

We are hoping to build up the parish council's profile with events like tomorrow's open evening. But the aim is to attract people even if they are not considering membership just to make people more aware of our work.

Mill Road dropped kerbs

2011-09-18T08:30:00.002+01:00

I spoke to Alan Bastable about the Mill Road drop kerb debacle. He told me parishioners would be getting a letter of apology from Amey and one of the management would be ringing the parishioner who made the original complaint. But at time of speaking (thursday evening) none of these things had happened.

I also pressed him on Mike Manning's indication of a bill of around £1,000 - but only if parishioners signed up immediately. More if they didn't. My personal view is that this is totally out of order. Alan said he was unable to take the financial issue forward so I think the PC should. A parishioner on the High St who had a DK put in a couple of years ago was charged £350 by CBC.

Home farm stakeholder

2011-09-18T08:29:00.002+01:00

I attended the stakeholder meeting on Thursday evening.

The main headlines are:

Reserved matters have all been issued but some pre-commencement conditions are still outstanding. Persimmon are gearing up for a start. There has been no resolution between Denison and Persimmon.

I checked that there is still the flexibility on a hall spec and Martin Wright confirmed this. He also insisted that the plans gave an inaccurate view of how tall the building actually was.

I queried how development could go ahead without clearance on access to Court Road. Hannah Pattinson said a Section 38 (with timetable) had to be in place but the access not actually constructed. I have to say this is an ambiguity that needs probing.

S278 works: Paul Stone from Persimmon said he felt the roundabout issue could be resolved quickly. Following the resurfacing of Lodge Road an application would be made to do the roundabout.

Persimmon were also probed on whether the new lay out for the access to Lodge Road was enforcing the No Left Turn requirement. There was no clear outcome on this.

Dropped kerbs

2011-09-16T19:27:00.000+01:00

I have been pursuing the issue of Amey strolling around Mill Road asking residents for a grand to pop a drop kerb in. None of the promised apologies yet for the peremptory way in which it was done and no confirmation of the bills - what size they will be etc. Anyway talked to another parishioner last night who had a drop kerb put in 'by the council' for £350 or thereabouts a couple of years ago. So where is the £1000 coming from?

Watch this space

Home Farm Stakeholder meeting tonight

2011-09-15T08:24:00.000+01:00

Here are the minutes from the last meeting, the first for six months

Minutes of Meeting 8 : 24 March held at 6.30pm at Cranfield Methodist Church

In attendance: Martin Wright (MW), Lionel Cooper (LC), Dr Majorie Cotton (MC) Jo Moore (JM), Hannah Pattinson (HP), Trevor Dimmock (TD), Gerry O’Mara (GO), Lyn Davis (LD), Cllr Alan Bastable (AB) & Cllr Ken Matthews (KM).

		Action
1.	Apologies for Absence Janet Orchart Stephen Hobbs
2.	Minutes of Previous Meeting Agreed.
3.	Matters Arising Timetable of Works – It has been acknowledged that house foundations have appeared on site. However, Persimmon has agreed to cease works on site until all RM applications are approved. In relation to Rectory Road – MW confirmed that this will be tidied up, the stone will be removed, the works to the ponds completed and then Persimmon will make good and undertake the landscaping works. All road works are currently ceased as waiting for electrical cabling works to be undertaken. Community Building – MW agreed with the Parish Council to look at the design of the Community Building. This is likely to take 3 / 4 months. Currently looking at the height of the building in terms of creating a multi functional space and cost implications i.e. heating etc. Archaeology Update – Photographs circulated from CGMS	MW HP
4.	Submission of Reserved Matters Applications HP updated the group on the status of the various planning applications. Phase 1 residential –approved Phase 2 residential –approved Almshouses – approved Community Building –pending Pavilion – approved Landscaping – pending Outline renewal – pending S106
5.	Any Other Business Increasing concern has been raised in relation to lorry movements along Court Road and Lodge road, specifically in relation to mud & debris on the road, lack of road sweeping. MW agreed to instruct contractors that there should be no access down Court Road. MW confirmed that it was T & W Engineering on site. Once the house builders on site it is hoped that access will be taken off the High Street as terms are now agreed with the Charity Land. Concern was raised as to wheel washing and dust & dampening now the land was dry. MW has been asked to consider a Marshall on site as Lodge Road has become a particular issue, particularly in relation to verbal abuse from lorry drivers. In addition the verges have been damaged. MW to speak to contractors. In respect of Bus stops – the bus stop has been relocated slightly further away from the new roundabout. School Buses – it was suggested that the school buses could turn around adjacent to The Swan rather than using Lodge Road. It is anticipated that Safer Routes to School are looking to improve this situation. MW acknowledged that there is an issue over the Dennison Land. However, the S106 controls certain triggers which have to be met. Library – S106 secures £75,000 – CBC currently looking at not providing a new library on site but instead looking at providing the funding towards an offsite facility, potentially Hollywell School. Healthcare – the trigger in the S106 is 200 occupations. Money can only be spent in accordance with the S106 Legal Agreement. RSL Provider – MW confirmed that this has not either been finalised or tendered as yet but this exercise will be undertaken shortly. Expressions of interest have been received from BPHA, Guinness Trust, Aragon. Off Plan Sales – MW confirmed that this is likely to be available within 4 months. Show Homes should be ready in 20 weeks following commencement of development. Cycle Path – MW confirmed that Persimmon have commenced these works.	MW MW MW MW MW MW
7.	The meeting closed at 7.20 pm. Next Meeting – 19 May 2011 at Cranfield Methodist Church at 6pm

Central Beds and Persimmon

2011-09-08T11:44:00.000+01:00

Letter from Central beds in response to our enquiry about Persimmon activity on Home Farm

I write in response to your letter dated 1 August to Cllrs Matthews, Bastable and Clark in relation to the three points raised in respect of the strategic housing site known as Home Farm, Cranfield. Cllr Matthews forwarded the letter to me for comment and I would like to respond as follows:

· At this time the application remains undetermined and as such the Council is continuing to consider its merits. Should we find ourselves in a situation where Persimmon choose to appeal against non-determination then it is at this stage that a report will be produced for consideration by the Development Management Committee which will result in a resolution from the Council on what it would have done had it been entitled to determine the application.

· It is not unlawful to undertake works without planning permission it only becomes an offence when an enforcement notice is served. In this instance no enforcement notice was served because all works requiring planning permission ceased voluntarily on site and consequently it was not expedient to serve an enforcement notice. To date the only works which have been undertaken relate to those works agreed in the context of the S278 Highways Agreement and these are not works included within the planning permission. However, I would like to express gratitude to both Cranfield Parish Council and local residents for providing us with accurate information in such a timely fashion as this enabled this Council to reach a mutual agreement with Persimmon to cease works on site.

· As you may appreciate land ownership is not a prerequisite for securing all the necessary consents to fulfil the requirements of a planning permission. The Section 106 and conditions on the planning permission will enable the Council to ensure that the development is implemented in accordance with these approvals and negotiations between third parties to acquire land necessary to fulfil these obligations is not a matter which the Council would become party to.

Hannah Pattinson

Principal Planning Officer

Wootton bus chaos

2011-09-07T17:24:00.000+01:00

Reports are now coming in about the cancellation of a special bus service for sixth formers from Wootton to Cranfield. With all the chaos caused by cutting the Sunday bus service (big thank you Central Beds) and the Wootton to Cranfield route (big thank you Stagecoach) I didnt see this one coming. Actually I dont think anyone did until the students were waiting for their bus on the first day back and there was nothing there.

Rina Persaud and I did a slot on 3 Counties radio with Roberto Peroni and tried to make sense of what was going on .I can tell you it wasn't easy.

More feedback on the buses over the next day or two. There's the first parish council tonight after the summer and we are hoping to hear from a parishioner who was asked by Central Beds for £1000 to do a drop kerb otherwise they were going to stop long standing vehicle access into her drive when they resurfaced the footpath. (see previous post).

I understand Cllr Richard Turpin from Central Beds is unable to attend due to having urgent business with a number of stagecoaches on the Great North Road.

Can you believe it?

2011-09-02T16:51:00.002+01:00

Imagine some road maintenance folk turn up all hi vis and JCBs to repair your footpath. It's a bit noisy and a bit messy but hey, life goes on.

Then a couple of days in, an operative says 'you'll need a drop kerb there'.

That's because they are raising the footpath 4 inches. Its been almost flush with the road and the householder has been driving in and out of their drive since, well, forever.

So Mr LongTerm Resident rings up Central Beds and the next morning there's a guy round with paperwork saying yes, you need a dropped kerb otherwise your vehicle access won't be legal.

Well, that's really nice thanks, gulp, and how much will the work cost - are we talking hundreds of pounds?

Well, actually nearer a £1,000. No notice, no sorry, just sign here. And if you don't it will cost you more to do it later (that's because we are kindly waiving the inspection fee).

So does a drop kerb when the construction crew are already on site really cost £1,000? Or is someone having a laugh?

It's happening in Cranfield as I write this. Coming up at parish council next Wednesday.

Contact Laurence Pollock
on 07801 665961
broadgreen68@btinternet.com for more info

Care of the elderly

2011-08-19T15:30:00.001+01:00

August is a good time to release bad news - either people aren't paying attention or with rioting and financial melt down no one is paying any attention. Anyway Central Bedfordshire Council has announced plans to charge for vital Telecare services, £4 a week or over £200 a year. Telecare installs state of the art devices which can detect falls, movement or drops in the temperature and are more effective than the standard alarm pendant.

The council says it wants to ask people their opinion about this. I wonder what people will say? A 12-week consultation period finishes on Friday 4th November 2011. You can take part in the consultation by filling in the form online or down loading it from www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations

Well done

2011-08-19T14:20:00.000+01:00

A parishioner contacted me last year about an unpleasant encounter a family member had with a shotgun toting man who claimed there was no public footpath in a field near the village. There is one, without doubt, but the markers had long since disappeared. Since then Graham (not his real name) has been working with Central Beds to get the marker posts installed and conspicuous. He reported to me this week that after chasing, action is now being take to instal them.

Public rights of way need to be defended, entrenched and argued about all the time. Landowners of course hope that we will just forget about them eventually. Persistence is the answer so well done Graham for keeping at it.

Calendar girls (not)

2011-08-16T09:34:00.001+01:00

Julie Walters and Helen Mirren were nowhere in sight but the Cranfield WI were a lively lot and they gave fellow parish councillor Jill Brocklebank and myself a warm welcome last night. They must get fed up with the Calendar Girls film (now endlessly touring as a slightly nude stage production). On the parish council we get fed up with Dibley of course. We all have our crosses to bear.

We explained the eccentricities, powerlessness and history of the parish council and collectively grieved over delays in getting traffic calming and the insensitivities of large property developers (who could that be?). We finished with a cup of tea and some very nice sandwiches. Then it was back home to watch Manchester City toss Swansea aside in the premier league. Disappointing but the rest of the evening was first rate.

Coverage of Home Farm delays

2011-08-14T10:13:00.000+01:00

Beds on Sunday Home farm coverage

I was asked by Beds on Sunday to comment as an individual parish councillor on reported delays on progressing the Home Farm site (see story below). I believe the village population have been pragmatic and realistic about the arrival of new housing development. They also want to plan round the facilities and resources promised with it.

But the hold-up over the last couple of months, arising because Persimmon haven't sorted land access is frustrating and wearisome. It is vital that they show the same common sense as the village and the parish council in making the best of a difficult situation.

BoS 14 August 2011

Developers' dispute leaves land in limbo

BY ADAM THOMPSON

A major housing development site could be left as an ‘eyesore’ after talks between landowners broke down.

Persimmon Homes, which is building 400 properties at Home Farm, Cranfield, is in dispute with Denison Investment Limited over a proposed development of the land there.

Under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act developers have to provide a certain amount of facilities for the local community.

Persimmon Homes intended to build such facilities including a community hall on adjacent land owned by Denison but Bedfordshire on Sunday understands that there has been no agreement between the two parties and that talks broke down in February.

In May we reported how Central Bedfordshire Council had instructed Persimmon to stop work until it adhered to planning conditions involving trucks going through the village.

It is believed that foundations have been constructed and there are fears that the site will not be completed.

Jeff Streule from Denison has said that the two companies are in dispute and in a document submitted by the company to its stakeholders it says that ‘there is no dialogue or agreement whatsoever between the two companies.’

Steven Hird, managing director for Persimmon Homes Midlands, said: “We and Denison are both contractually obliged to provide the section 106 package for the benefit of the local community.

“We are therefore in discussion with the local authority on how best to deliver these elements of the build programme.” Cranfield Parish councillor Laurence Pollock, said: “I’m calling on Persimmon to resolve its dispute with landowners so that the development can be completed as soon as possible.

“Local people want the site built and promised vital facilities such as the community hall ready for use. At present it is just an eyesore.

“These land access issues should have been settled a long time ago.” A spokeswoman for Central Beds Council: “We are aware that both Persimmon Homes and Denison Investments have land interests in the development approved on Lodge Road, Cranfield.

“We further understand that a proportion of the community benefits secured through the section 106 legal agreement are due to be included on land owned by Denison.”

Bus cuts hit hard

2011-08-11T14:17:00.000+01:00

MPs warn that the most vulnerable are being hit by cuts in bus services. We know that in Cranfield. The report comes out in the middle of the recess (albeit the MPs are back for one day due to the riots) and sadly will soon be forgotten. The social background of train users is such that there is a fearsome row when service is poor but bus users have almost no clout.

Radio 4 Today programme

BBC

Cuts to bus services in England are a threat to the most vulnerable people in society, a report by MPs says.

It says elderly and disabled people are being stopped from working, taking part in education or accessing healthcare. The government called the funding situation "challenging" but said it was closely monitoring the situation. Local authority budget cuts have affected subsidised services - such as rural routes - and pushed up fares, says the Transport Select Committee.

From the Independent

Cuts in bus services will affect rural areas

By Peter Woodman, PA

Thursday, 11 August 2011

- LARGE
- EXTRA LARGE

The English bus industry is facing its greatest financial challenge for a generation, a report by MPs said today.

Funding changes by the Government have had an adverse impact on local bus services and the level of bus fares, the report by the House of Commons Transport Committee said.

The Government must not "wash its hands" of all responsibility for local bus services, the committee added.

The committee's report covered bus services in England, excluding London, in the light of the Government's 2010 spending review.

The report said the review had included three funding decisions which had "created the greatest financial challenge for the English bus industry for a generation".

The committee called on the Department for Transport to monitor the extent of bus service cutbacks and review service provision

Women's Institute

2011-08-10T09:27:00.000+01:00

Meanwhile back to the parish pump or should it be on the parish stump? Parish Councillor Jill Brocklebank and I are doing a presentation to Cranfield WI next Monday evening about the work we do. The WI once threw off its fusty image with Calendar girls. I don't think Jill and I can equal that but we might come up with a few humorous moments as we explain why parish councils do make a difference to your life.

No surprises

2011-08-10T09:17:00.001+01:00

I heard back from Stagecoach as follows:

On 9 Aug 2011, at 15:35, Philip Norwell wrote:

Dear Mr Pollock
Thank you for your email. I can appreciate your concern in respect of those students wishing to stay on at school later, however the change in timetable is actually designed to benefit potential customers from Cranfield who wish to travel into Kempston and Bedford. The overall journey time for these customers, who are the majority, is significantly reduced - whilst the facility to Kempston Saxon Centre is maintained.

It is still possible to travel back from Wooton following after school activities, by travelling on new route 53 to Kempston Saxon Centre and then changing onto the new number 52 back to Cranfield. Buses leave Wooton at 10 and 40 minutes past each hour, arriving at Kempston 8 minutes later. Bus 52 leaves Kempston Saxon Centre at 40 minutes past each hour arriving at Cranfield Village at 08 minutes past the hour. Therefore a student, for example, leaving Wooton at 1710 will arrive back in Cranfield at 1808, having changed at Kempston (including allowing 22 minutes for the change). I fully understand that this is not as good as the direct bus home, but those making the journey are in fact very few.

This route is entirely commercial, in that it does not receive any funding from the local authority, Central Bedfordshire; our focus is therefore to offer the majority of potential customers a more attractive service. I believe this has been achieved and would suggest you talk to the local authority about this facility if you believe it is a social need that is not being met by commercial bus operators, such as ourselves. It is they who have the responsibility to decide whether this is the case and the mechanism to address this.

In reply I stated:
Dear Mr Norwell we have recently had presentations about changes to local services from the police and education managers. In the past health providers have done the same.
Stagecoach has not had the decency even to inform local residents in Cranfield about the impending changes, let alone seek their views. We only discovered the planned changes indirectly. I am fully aware of the deregulated, profit driven nature of modern public transport and Central Beds' indifference to supporting evening and Sunday services is a matter of record.
Users might be more confident about your change-at-Kempston solution if they could rely on Stagecoach buses turning up on time, not leaving early, or arriving at all.

You can contact Laurence Pollock on 07801 665961 or broadgreen68@btinternet.com

Comment on Times and Citizen story

2011-08-09T11:31:00.000+01:00

Budge Wells is completely missing the point in his comments in the Times and Citizen. It is true that Central Beds Council is washing its hands of supporting evening and weekend public transport.

A senior councillor I spoke to from Cranfield didnt even know these changes were happening.

But the council's lead for education and young people, Mark Versallion, should be getting involved. Does he even know? Or care?

Stagecoach has redesigned a commercial service into two different routes indifferent to the impact on an important group in the local community. We need public representatives to be calling on them to change. These changes should be put on ice and looked at again - this time listening to the community.

Stop the bus madness now

2011-08-08T11:40:00.000+01:00

Stagecoach should pull back from introducing new timetables that cut bus links from Wootton to Cranfield. I have written to Stagecoach today stating:

You will be aware that the new 52 and 53 timetables, which we have had not had any warning about are set to have a major impact on the travelling public in Cranfield. I have received many emails. particularly from concerned parents of young people who regularly use service buses to travel back forth to Wootton Upper School. This is a major disruption to their education and opportunities for extra curricular activities outside school hours.

To repeat we have not had any indication that this was in store and we would have made our oppostion very clear.

I am now calling publicly for Stagecoach to suspend the implementation of these timetables to allow for further discussion. The Parish Council and Cranfield University have worked fruitfully with Milton Keynes regarding solutions to the needs of evening bus users. I believe we should have the same opportunity with regard to Bedford buses without being presented with a fait accompli.

Central Beds also needs to reassess its unwillingness to support Sunday services. This was a policy change that was never consulted on and was not included in budget cuts announced publicly in December.

Look East tomorrow

2011-08-07T21:52:00.000+01:00

Rina Persaud and I should be appearing on BBC Look East tomorrow morning and evening protesting about bus services between Wootton and Cranfield being axed without warning or even the barest information.

I will be alerting Wootton Upper school about the issue and contacting both Stagecoach, our Central Beds councillors and the CBC executive leads for both transport and education about the changes. I have had many emails from parents and family members alarmed at the impact these changes will have on young people in the village.

Contact Laurence Pollock on 07801 665961 broadgreen68@btinternet.com

BBC Look East

2011-08-05T11:07:00.002+01:00

Look East coming this afternoon to interview Mrs Persaud and myself about the buses.

Bus row escalates

2011-08-04T21:31:00.000+01:00

From today's Times and Citizen

http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/local/bedford/students_face_bus_nightmare_1_2929630

Students face bus nightmare

PUPILS travelling from Cranfield to school in Wootton by public transport will soon be forced to make two bus journeys after Stagecoach announced plans to axe the V1 service.

The Cranfield to Bedford service is set to be withdrawn from August 21, and concerns have been expressed that anyone travelling from Cranfield to Wootton by public transport will be forced to get two buses.

The V1 route will be split into the 52 service going from Cranfield to Marston to Bedford, and the route 53 Wootton to Bedford service.

Parent Rina Persaud has criticised the decision, saying her son who attends Wootton Upper School will now have make nearly a two-hour journey to get into school.

Mrs Persaud, who lives in Cranfield, said: “I can’t believe that they are going to be cutting this service.

“A lot of pupils at Wootton live in Cranfield and I think it’s awful that an already long bus journey is going to be split into two different services.

“Wootton prides itself on extra-curricular activities and it often holds revision classes after school, which means pupils miss the school bus and have to get public transport.

“My son is in sixth form and he studies drama, which means he sometimes has to stay later. And some days he only has one period, so has to get the public bus service.”

The changes to the service mean that anyone travelling from Cranfield to Wootton will need to get a bus to Bedford and then change and get another bus from Bedford to Wootton – a journey that could take up to two hours.

Mrs Persaud added: “I have been trying to fight this, and I thought Central Beds Council may offer some help – but when I spoke to them it seemed that they weren’t that bothered.”

Deputy executive member for sustainable communities services at Central Beds, Councillor Budge Wells, said: “All children from Cranfield and Marston Moretaine areas will still be able to travel to and from Wootton Upper School by means of the school bus services that Central Bedfordshire Council provides, during normal school hours.

“The council is concerned that this service change will impact on residents wishing to travel from Cranfield to Wootton, though recognises Stagecoach’s right to make changes to its commercial bus services, which the council does not subsidise.

“While the council would like to continue to support a commercial service under threat with a subsidy, in the current financial climate we are unable to do so.”

Stagecoach was unavailable to comment at the time of going to press.

Traffic calming

2011-08-03T16:16:00.000+01:00

How many times has this story been round the block? We have new puffs of smoke from Amey about the traffic calming. This email is to a parishioner:

I am sorry that we have not been able to proceed with this in as timely a manner as we would have wished. There are a number of reasons for this not least the difficulties of the confirmation of the funding that are now fully resolved. Additionally whilst the Cranfield scheme was on ‘on hold’ design staff have been employed on other tasks and were not able to take this up immediately the funding was resolved.

We are now however at the point where the statutory consultation is shortly to be issued. This will mean that all the elements of the scheme that require statutory consultation such as speed tables etc. will be advertised for comments and also sent to the Councils statutory consultees i.e. the bus companies, transport groups, blue light authorities etc. as well as to local Councillors.

Despite a general desire for the works locally I am expecting that this process will generate some local objections and that will require me to write and present a report to Councillor Spurr at a future Traffic Management Committee meeting where any such objections will be overruled or upheld after due consideration.

It is still my intention that this scheme be delivered in its entirety, subject to any changes required following the consultation, this financial year.

Kind Regards

Nick Chapman

Transportation Manager l Bedfordshire Highways

So I would like to think these consultation plans will be available in September but who knows? If it drags on and then runs into 2012-13 the banked Section 106 money will have handily sat in someone's account for another year. Next we'll find that its five years since it became available and we have missed our chance to spend it. Ho hum.

You can contact Laurence Pollock on 07801 665961 or broadgreen68@btinternet.com

What would you do...eh?

2011-08-03T14:29:00.001+01:00

It used to be called civil defence and its what you did if a two megaton airburst was detonated at 5000 ft over Cranfield after a threat to West Berlin was mishandled by NATO. Duck and cover.

Today its known as 'local resilence' which sounds like measures to stop bored youths toppling a wonky wall in the middle of the village. But its civil defence by another name.

There's no doubt that flooding in particular is rising menace. One of the best ways of stopping it is not to build on flood plains. But that will go on I understand (thanks to my inside source at the Lodden Valley Residents Association). As for the other threats such as flu pandemic or hurricanes

mentioned by the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum in a recent mailing - well resourced and accountable emergency services might not be a bad idea. But thats off the agenda I too I believe, thanks to my inside source in government called All News Media.

You might bump into a BLLRF stall at some pleasant summer fete. Here's what they want you to do:

The Bedford and Luton Local Resilience Forum has created the What Would You Do If...? events stall to take to local fetes, family fun days and community events to prepare the residents of Bedfordshire and Luton for emergencies.

Visitors to the stall can receive advice about planning for an emergency, pick up literature with useful advice on how to start planning for an emergency in the home, complete emergency postcard, learn how to prepare an emergency kit and fill in survey about emergency planning and a chance to win an iPad 2. There is even a kid’s colouring corner, where children can complete worksheets and win a Peppa Pig fire engine.

After the events, visitors are encouraged to take photos and videos of them putting their newly acquired emergency planning advice into practice and uploading them on to http://www.facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif

Sounds like a riot. I presume there are preparations in hand for that too.

Sharing our thoughts

2011-08-03T13:59:00.000+01:00

Central Bedfordshire Together is...

made up of senior representatives from Central Bedfordshire Council, Police, Fire, Health, Business, Education, Town and Parish Councils and the Voluntary and Community Sector. Sometimes talking is a waste of time and sometimes it makes a lot of sense.

Check out CBT's latest e zine ( electronic magazine by the way - sorry if this is basic to you) available at http://www.centraltogether.org.uk/ezines/edition-4

Blind and partially sighted

2011-08-03T13:51:00.000+01:00

Sight Concern (SCB), the blind and partially sighted organisation for
Bedfordshire and Luton have a mobile facility which will visit towns
and villages offering checks for eye health and provide help and information
on all aspects of sight problems.

They are seeking a suitable parking place for a visit to Cranfield. Pcllr Jill Brocklebank is seeking ideas on their behalf email jill@tottie.demon.co.uk

Central Beds

2011-07-28T09:46:00.000+01:00

The Parish Council is writing to Central Beds Unitary councillors, Alan Bastable, Ken Matthews and Sue Clarke asking the following questions about Home Farm:

1. Reports:

1.1. PCllr L Pollock reported upon correspondence regarding the standing of the Home Farm Development application; and proposed that Cranfield Parish Council writes to all unitary councillors in addition to Ken Matthews as executive lead asking:

1.1.1. Firstly about the authority's resolution in the face of any appeal by Persimmon against non-determination.

1.1.2. Secondly at what point it became clear that Persimmon were on Home Farm unlawfully and why no action was taken.

1.1.3. Thirdly how the design brief and the S106 agreement can be delivered if Persimmon cannot take control of the land in question.

Cemetery

2011-07-28T09:38:00.001+01:00

I'm off on my bike tour to see how the weeds are coming along in the cemetery

Cuts to policing

2011-07-28T09:36:00.000+01:00

BBC - Police 'plan to cut 14% of jobs by 2015

There will be 34,000 fewer police jobs in England and Wales in March 2015 than in March 2010, research by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary suggests.

It estimated that the overall cut of 14% will include losing 16,200 officers and 16,100 civilian staff.The HMIC added there was "relatively strong evidence" falling staff numbers might lead to a rise in some offences.Home Office figures showed there are 139,110 officers in England and Wales - 4,625 fewer than March last year.The annual decrease recorded by March this year was 3.2%. The number of police staff stood at 74,010, a decrease of 7% or 5,586 compared with a year earler.

Well it's happening locally already in Cranfield 'Project 2011' will bring changes in October and former beat managers will be doing more of a 'section role'. So we will not be seeing much of them.

The PCSOs will have additional powers to give out tickets etc but they will be covering a huge area. The government says there is no relationship between crime figures and police numbers but that is flatly contradicted by HMIC (the inspectorate).

HMIC published research suggesting that a 10 per cent cut in officer numbers would lead to a three per cent increase in crime.

Village Hall

2011-07-28T09:24:00.000+01:00

Members of the "veeaitchemcee" (village hall management committee) are confident that the hall will be reopened by christmas. Work going ahead on the roof. The full works obviously still dependent on a house sale in the near future.

Round in circles

2011-07-28T09:20:00.000+01:00

It wasn’t long after the new Lodge Road roundabout was unveiled that the worried emails started piling in. Basically you couldn’t see the traffic on the main road when you were coming out of Lodge Road. A meeting was held on site last month with CBC councillors, parish councillors and residents’ representatives. Amey held discussions with road safety auditors and Bedfordshire Police who also felt the layout was unacceptable.

They have now redesigned the road markings, moving the centre of the roundabout away from Lodge Road and plan to discuss this with the Police and safety team.

Village hall

2011-07-27T07:03:00.000+01:00

Village hall management committee. Its the hall's centenary year but uts been closed for 27 months. Work on the roof and toilets is going ahead however - encouraging news. Marjorie Cotton the chair did a a good presentation at the Parish Council last week. PC chairwoman Delise Ball, did urge her though to get the hall open even on an interim basis.

I agree, especially on the centenary. The danger is the that the hall's regular users will never come back. The 'Big Bang' approach, everything done at once is attractive but buildings need to be used.

Activity on Home Farm

2011-07-26T07:40:00.000+01:00

OK it took a bit of digging (rather like that excavator of Home Farm) but I eventually got some answers. On the question of an Amey compound the answer came back:

Although (the) Amey Highways representative, when visiting the site at Home Farm, parks his vehicle (private car) within the site compound there is no Amey Highways compound on the site, nor have we given any instruction to create one.

Therefore there is no reason that we know off that would entail the excavation of soil and the use of tippers on the Home Farm site. However excavation is taking place on Lodge Road and the material is being deposited on to the site to enable the construction of the Section 278 works.

So - back to Central Beds to check out the 'compound' issue. They refer Parish Matters to Persimmon who write:

As already explained to you by a great deal of people it seems, the works on the site relate either to the S278 or the off-site drainage provision. This happens from Monday to Friday and will involve Persimmons contractors, utilising their compound on our site. As also kindly specified by the Highways engineer, this will also involve some earth movement across the site from the S278 works. All other site works ceased quite some time ago and will remain that way until the planning authority are happy for us to proceed.

It is true that S278 works have been going on for some time (I get regularly reports of the impact from residents) but I'm not sure what digging a large hole in the ground in the middle of Home Farm has to do with it. And let's not forget that Persimmon went on the site when they did not have permission. So credibility levels are not good.

However, the best way to stop people gossiping and the Parish Matters blogsgoing on about it is to resume the stakeholder meetings (second one has now been cancelled) and for a free flow of information.

The last bus to Wootton

2011-07-26T07:28:00.000+01:00

The last bus to Wootton will run on August 20. After that you can only get there from Cranfield by taking a bus to Bedford and out again.

But don’t try it on a Sunday as Bedford services in future will only run Monday to Saturday.

There has been no warning of the shock changes. Stagecoach is replacing the V1 (Monday to Saturday) and V2 (Sunday) services with two new services, 52 and 53.

The 52 will run hourly from Bedford via Kempston to Marston Moretaine and Cranfield between 06.30 and 18.30 on Monday to Saturdays only. The 53 will run from Bedford, via Hillgrounds and Kempston to Wootton every 30 minutes between 06.45 and 18.45 from Monday to Saturdays. There is an additional departure Monday to Friday at 06.15. There will also be an hourly Sunday service from 08.45 until 16.45

This means that there is no longer a direct bus link between Cranfield and Wootton at any time. Students whose timetable or after-school activities make it impossible to use the standard school buses will be hit. They will have to rely on the Mumndad Transport Company – if available.

Cranfield Parish Council and Cranfield University fought a joint campaign to save Sunday buses to Bedford, in April. But the reprieve was only temporary. They are jointly contributing part of the cost of the Milton Keynes to Cranfield evening services for a temporary period. They will then talk to Milton Keynes council about finding a long-term solution from April onwards, next year. Discussions will be held in September.

Two years ago, the village and Wharley End lost evening services to and from Bedford. As the village continues to grow its transport infrastructure is threatened. The new services separate a route that can be supported on a Sunday by Bedford Borough from one that will receive no contribution from Central Bedfordshire.

New timetables can be found at http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_13908_Venus%20V1.pdf

and http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_13909_Venus%20V1.pdf

If these changes will affect you in any way, you are welcome to contact me tel 01234 757689 email broadgreen68@btinternet.com or contact Cranfield Express at letters@cranfieldexpress.co.uk with comments.

A Stagecoach bus at the Wharley End 'terminus'

Activity on Home Farm

2011-07-08T10:30:00.000+01:00

Activity on Home Farm this morning. I'm checking to make sure this really is the compound for the highways work as Persimmon advise.

Home Farm

2011-07-07T20:43:00.000+01:00

Persimmon states in response to my earlier enquiry:

I can confirm that the only works that are continuing in Cranfield are the County Council Works (Section 278) to High Street and Lodge Road. The contractors compound for these works is located on our site which I guess may be causing the confusion?

Buses on Sunday

2011-07-07T20:41:00.000+01:00

I have received the details of new bus services agreed between Stagecoach and Bedford Borough. The V1 and V2 will disappear. The 52 will run from Cranfield to Marston and Shelton bypassing Wootton and the 53 will run to Wootton only.

The Cranfield service will not run on Sundays so as things stand we have lost our Sunday buses to Bedford. I will be alerting the University and asking that the parish council, through the clerk , contacts Marston PC which will also lose Sunday bus links. We have a shared interest here.

Home farm open for business?

2011-07-07T09:43:00.000+01:00

Home Farm seems to be busy these days, whether lawful or not. Cycling up Lodge Road on Monday and today I've spotted the mesh gates open and action inside.

I've emailed CBC planning officer Hannah Pattinson as follows on Monday

I note that despite your letter to Persimmon in May the Home Farm site accesses are open (on Court Road and Lodge Road) and there was a generator running this morning. Perhaps this has been authorised. I'd be grateful if you could confirm one way or the other.

and today

Following my email on Monday I again note that Home Farm site is open with tipper trucks active on site. As before, I am requesting information on whether this presence is now lawful and if not what action Central Bedfordshire will take.

So far, no response.

It happens in Cranfield

Full council February

Agenda for full council at the University

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

Amey and Crane Way

Home Farm access worries grow

What's in a name?

Tree grief

Stakeholder

What's in a name?

Land is what we need

Covanta

Diamond Jubilee

Minutes of the last Home Farm stakeholder meeting

Next meeting

Crane Way

Village Hall

Home farm

£270 million for a rail link between Oxford and Bedford

Village hall

Dr Reddy

Home Farm mudbath

Parish Council

Clock chimes

Church chimes

Lodge Road

Clock chimes off? Not on my watch

Road cleaning

Confining a building site

Cash for access

Lodge Road

Cash for access

Cash for access to government ministers?

Traffic calming disappointment

Check out the police

Bedfordshire Police

Wall

Bedfordshire PoliceOfficers from the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team are keen to trace witnesses to a robbery which happened in Harefield Road, Luton on Monday evening (October 24).

Charlene Grahamwhat was all the police cars doing today at around 15.35pm at darwin road and surrounding areas in bedford?? we counted 12 police cars parked on various streets round that area and a further few driving past on our way home through harrowden road bedford.

Village hall

Lodge Road disturbances

bus services

Bus planning

Holes in the ground

Open Evening

Covanta

CBC Children's centre consultation

Children's centres

Kick walls

Persimmon build

Open evening

Mill Road dropped kerbs

Home farm stakeholder

Dropped kerbs

Home Farm Stakeholder meeting tonight

Minutes of Meeting 8 : 24 March held at 6.30pm at Cranfield Methodist Church

Central Beds and Persimmon

Wootton bus chaos

Can you believe it?

Care of the elderly

Well done

Calendar girls (not)

Coverage of Home Farm delays

BoS 14 August 2011

Developers' dispute leaves land in limbo

Bus cuts hit hard

Cuts in bus services will affect rural areas

Women's Institute

No surprises

Comment on Times and Citizen story

Stop the bus madness now

Look East tomorrow

BBC Look East

Bus row escalates

Students face bus nightmare

Traffic calming

What would you do...eh?

Sharing our thoughts

Central Bedfordshire Together is...

Blind and partially sighted

Bedfordshire Police
Officers from the South Bedfordshire Robbery Team are keen to trace witnesses to a robbery which happened in Harefield Road, Luton on Monday evening (October 24).

Charlene Graham
what was all the police cars doing today at around 15.35pm at darwin road and surrounding areas in bedford?? we counted 12 police cars parked on various streets round that area and a further few driving past on our way home through harrowden road bedford.