Issue 7   December 2004

    

Christmas Greetings to All our Readers

 

SAFETY CALL FOR MELTON ROAD

For many years now residents, the Parish Council and your Rushcliffe Borough Councillor, Roy Butler have appealed to Notts County Council Highways authority to alleviate the problem of fast and speeding traffic causing difficulty and danger to those who live and work in the Melton Road area of the village. Constantly the council are told by the Highways Authority that there have been insufficient fatal accidents to justify reducing the 60mph limit to 40mph.

Residents and delivery drivers report every day there are frightening experiences and inappropriate overtaking by fast-moving traffic. In four places overtaking is even encouraged by unsuitably placed over-take road markings.

Now is the time: The Parish Council feel the time has come to try again tom persuade the Highway Authority to provide the same consideration and protection as provided on the A60 at Bradmore, the A606 at Tollerton and the A606 at Hickling pastures etc. There are 55 properties, 3 farms, an industrial estate, a busy garden centre, a petrol service station and shop on the stretch in question on the A606. Houses are located on both sides of the road, unlike the situation in Tollerton on the Melton Road which has the benefit of a 40mph speed limit. Most road users considerably reduce their speed in 40mph zones whereas through our 60mph zones some vehicles are travelling at 80mph.

County councillor help:  County Councillor John Cottee has promised to do what he can to encourage County Highways who are responsible for this road now that it has been de-trunked, to reconsider and hopefully improve upon measures to create a safer environment for residents and road users. Residents are being asked to support the campaign and should send their comments to Councillor John Cottee, Notts County Council, County hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP or Email john.cottee@talk21.com The Parish Council are already in contact with the Police and are seeking their support for the campaign.

BUS SHELTERS BEING SOUGHT

The Parish Council have asked Notts County Council to consider provision of bus shelters for Stanton along the A606 road. The proposed sites include one at the junction of Browns Lane and one near the post box. The County Council have acknowledged the request and are to investigate the need for such provision.

NEW ‘LOCAL’ MEMBER SCHEME FOR PARISH PLANNING

In an effort to improve the ‘local’ aspect of consideration of planning applications received by the Parish Council from Rushcliffe Borough Council and involving local addresses, the Parish Council have accepted a proposal put forward by Vice Chairman, Councillor Dennis Hackett, to change the method they use on dealing with them. Any application on which the parish are asked to comment involving Melton Road and adjacent areas and browns lane will go to Councillors Baines, Jackson and Healy and all others to Councillors Goodman, Hackett and McKee with the Chairman, Councillor Baines seeing all of them. It has also been agreed that any matters involving footpath diversions etc. should be seen by all members of the council and not just one of the new groups now established.

BOROUGH LAUNCHES ITS NEW WEB SITE

A new web site has been launched by the Borough Council and is available at the same address as before www.rushcliffe.gov.uk  It offers a much wider range of services and for the first time customers are able to pay their bills and report incidents such as fly-tipping, abandoned cars and graffiti.

CHRISTMAS CRIME CRACKER APPEAL TARGETS THIEVES

Stanton on the Wolds residents are being urged to note the latest weapon in Rushcliffe’s war against criminals which was unleashed last month – on the back end of a bus !  As part of the Rushcliffe Crime Cracker Campaign a new bus advert advises drivers not to give car thieves an easy time by leaving valuables on display when they park. Another advert on the side of local buses encourages residents to fit burglar alarms. The campaign was launched by the Rushcliffe Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership to encourage local people to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to take simple steps to prevent themselves becoming crime victims.

Inspector Norman England, Local Area Commander for Rushcliffe West said; “Having presents stolen from your car or home in the run up to Christmas is one of the worst things that can happen. But most of these crimes can be easily prevented if people take a few simple steps. It’s amazing how many drivers leave expensive items on show, if only a few of them heed our warnings it will be money well spent.”

A VILLAGE CRICKET CLUB………?

Are there any residents in the village who can recall Stanton boasting a cricket club and, if so, when the club operated and where. Records of Kinoulton Cricket club, this year celebrating its 80^th anniversary, indicate that in 1947 and 1948 soon after the Second World War, they played Stanton on the Wolds as one of their ‘local derby’ games and when their players travelled ‘on their bicycles’ to get to our village. Please contact us to let us know if you have any way we can confirm  there was a cricket club here in the village. The editor’s office is reached on 937 6506

BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN MOVES A STEP NEARER

Developers will have to show a high level of commitment to improving the environment before being given permission to build any new homes in Rushcliffe. Revisions to the Borough Council’s new Local Plan have been agreed by Councillors and a copy of the revisions has been placed on deposit until the 24^th December. But, despite local objections, plans for 1,200 new houses at Edwalton are recommended to be included. Mike Harbron, Local Plans Manager said; “It’s understandable that people would be unhappy about seeing green fields developed for new homes and jobs, but we will be requiring the best standards of design, local open space and other facilities.” He says the Edwalton site gives easy access to West Bridgford and Nottingham and they will not allow any development to take place that prioritises car use over public transport.

Copies of the Plan are available from the Council’s web site at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk  by calling into the Civic Centre or on request by post (£2.50p delivery charge). The Plan will be debated at a public inquiry which begins on the 11^th January at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrpont and is expected to last up to three months.

WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVES LIVES

Residents in Stanton on the Wolds have been urged by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to push the button to test their smoke alarms. The Brigade are backing the Rushcliffe Crime Cracker Campaign which has a number of community safety messages. John Buckley, station manager at West Bridgford Fire Station, estimates that smoke alarm ownership is around 80% in Rushcliffe, meaning 20% of households still have not got the message. He said; “In the last 5 years there has not been a serious injury or fatality across Nottinghamshire where a smoke alarm has been correctly fitted and working. Worryingly, where people have bothered to fir them, we often find flat batteries or no batteries.” Mr Buckely added; “You should fit one on each floor, test them weekly and fit a new battery every year. Make sure you always have spare batteries available.”

Smoke alarms can be bought for a few pounds in most DIY stores or ring the fire station on 0115 923 4801 for help and advice and a free home safety check.

Bits and bobs

Rushcliffe Borough Council have rejected a Parish Council request for permission to attend and take part in development control meetings at the Civic Centre. They say meetings would become too unwieldy if this was allowed. Stanton wanted the chance to personally comment on important local plans.

New borrowers are being sought in Stanton  by the WRVS books service. The scheme’s local contact is Mrs Ferrer on Stanton Lane who can be contacted on 937 2838

Keyworth South Wolds School was oversubscribed for year 7 for this September. Anyone due to join in September next year is being advised to get their applications in quickly.

The Parish Council at Stanton have agreed to support a new project by Rushcliffe’s REACT 21 Group in giving more emphasis on the well-being of trees in the area. Councillors Mrs Margaret Healy and Alan Jackson attended the launch of the event at Ruddington on the 20^th November.

No action is being taken by the Parish Council on an approach by the Notts branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England to join their ranks. Members felt benefits would not justify the subscription fee.

The ‘Riding for the Disabled Association Group ‘ at Lings Lane, Keyworth is in desperate need of more helpers. Volunteers would be asked to give just two hours of their time to help on a Thursday morning. Contact Carole on 01509 880092 or Gwyneth on 0115 937 2272.

Keyworth's annual Village Quiz organised by Keyworth Parish Council begins again on the 7^th February in Keyworth Village Hall.

JUST IN CASE: Councillor Bryan Baines, chairman of the parish, has agreed his name can go forward again as the Notts County Council Snow Warden for the village. AND it snowed on November 18^th !

PLANNING DECISIONS BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL

The following is a list of recent planning applications for Stanton dealt with by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

04/01290/FUL Mr Rampton: insert dormer to front elevation, detached garage to front of property at 196 Melton Road. Grant permission.

04/01494/COU Mr Stoppiello & Mr Akbari: use of part of site for sale of used cars at Wolds Service Station, 198 Melton Road. Decision awaited from Borough.

YOUR LOCAL CHURCHES

Stanton on the Wolds Parish Church: Rev Trevor Sisson, tel 0115 937 2017.

Catholic Church, Willowbrook: Fr Gregory Tobin, tel 0115 981 4271.

Methodists: Rev Peter Green, tel 0115 921 2146.

Baptists: Rev Neil Brighton, tel 0115 914 7449.

United Reformed: Rev Chris Ford, tel 0115 937 5086.

Thought of the month

Adversity reveals genius

Prosperity conceals it