Surgeries.
4:30-5pm,
Tuesday 1st October, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 1st October, Sports Bar, IW
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am,
Thursday 3rd October, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
1-1:30pm,
Wednesday 9th October, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm,
Thursday 17th October, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue,
Cowes.
10:30-11am,
Thursday 24th October, Coffee & Chat, All Saints Church,
Gurnard.
5-5:30pm, Wednesday 30th October, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
12-12:30pm, Thursday 31st October,
Eegon’s Café, 72 High Street, Cowes.
Brexit Preparations.
It
is very clear from the Prime Minister that he intends for the UK to leave the
European Union on 31st October.
In recent weeks government has issued advice to Businesses, EU Nationals
and residents on options. This can be
found here: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-eu-exit
In
the meantime, I’ve contacted the IW Council for advice for those with long term
medical conditions and the availability of medication, should there be any
uncertainties. I have also been
approached by EU Nationals living and working locally requesting better support
from the IW Council on support and advice. Once received this information will
feature on my website! These concerns
were echoed at Full Council, with action promised by the Council Leader.
Pavement Parking.
I
continue to receive complaints from parents/ grandparents with push chairs, and
from disabled residents regarding pavement parking in Place Road. Subsequently this has resulted in pedestrians
being forced to walk in the carriageway to pass vehicles.
If
there is not adequate space to park off road, please can residents and
visitors, please be aware of ensuring enough space is allowed for pedestrians. In
light of complaints received, this has been reported to both the police and
parking services who have been asked to take enforcement action.
Gurnard Primary
School.
I
continue to receive complaints of unsafe and anti-social parking outside
Gurnard School. In light of this, I have asked parking officers to undertake
patrols to ensure that roads are kept safe for children.
In
addition, I have also received complaints over some residents putting in place
traffic cones. I am told this is to
prevent building contractors vehicles from the school obstructing driveway
accesses. If you are experiencing
problems please contact parking.services@iow.gov.uk, as it is unlawful to position cones
on the public highway without permission and good reason. In the meantime I have requested the
intervention of planners and parking services on the volume of contractors
vehicles being parked in both Woodvale Road and Baring Road.
In
the meantime, I anticipate the new Cowes Traffic Order will go live November/
December. The timeframe is:
·
Island
Roads require 6-8 weeks to implement TRO and will ensure road markings and
signage are in place.
·
Gurnard
Primary School and local residents will be notified of changes, once these are
confirmed.
·
Gurnard
School to liaise with parents and children.
·
Civil
Parking Enforcement Officers have been asked to monitor and will take action
against non-compliance.
·
Should
this not resolve matters, the IW Council will consider implementing a no
waiting experimental order.
In
light of the new parking arrangements being implemented speaking to parents,
residents and children despite building contractors at both the school and the
Dottens development, I am told there remains available car parking capacity
within 5 minutes walking distance of the school gate…
St. Mary’s
Roundabout.
Following
residents feedback, and the lack of detail provided on proposals, I requested
an Extraordinary Council meeting to relay concerns over the 15 month scheme to
reconfigure this junction. Issues that
continue to be of concern to me, and to residents are:
·
The
lack of dialogue and early intervention by the IW Council, demonstrating the rationale
for these works, and how these fit into easing congestion at Coppins Bridge?
·
What
mitigation will be in place to reduce traffic speeds in Pallance Road, Rew
Street and Rolls Hill?
·
What
steps are being taken to promote walking and cycling to reduce traffic growth,
particularly given the junctions proximity to Hunnyhill School, the college,
hospital, employment hubs and future housing?
I
have consistently opposed these current proposals, and in light of this I
seconded the motion raising objections to the current scheme, which fell 12
votes to 16.
In
light of this decision, following my request the Council Leader has agreed to
my request for a Public Information meeting.
This will take place 7pm,
Thursday 17th October at Medina
Theatre, Newport.
Updates
can be found here: http://www.islandroads.com/182-newport-st-marys-strategic-junction-improvements-.html
Cowes Parking 200 for 2020.
Please see ideas, suggestions and questions to create and rethink extra capacity to increase car parking for residents, visitors and commuters.
·
Reconfiguration
of existing residents parking zones.
Where residents parking exists, the bays or boxes
exceed 4.8 metres (the maximum car length), whereas most vehicles actually
measure less (around just over 4 metres). By removing painted bays I estimate
the creation of 8-9% extra space within parking zones could be created.
·
Removal of
‘unnecessary’ restrictions.
There are areas where yellow lines exist that may
not be needed. In the Cowes TRO Spaces were found in Crossfield Avenue where
buses used to drop off students. Elsewhere potential spaces in Victoria
Road and Cliff Road have been found. In addition, there may also be
disabled bays unused.
·
Better use
of private off road parking, garages and former car parks.
By offering privately managed spaces (i.e driveways
and garages) to commuters, would assist taking commuter spaces off the road.
One concern for commuters is the lack of secure parking, which commuters
suggest they are prepared to pay for. I would suggest there is
considerable scope for householders to come to a private arrangement to use
unused off road parking.
There are former car parks on the road to Cowes,
that could be used for Park and Ride. These are on the main Cowes to
Newport Bus Route, and could offer secure parking for Newport, Cowes and
Southampton commuters.
There are also under-utilised car parks in town
that remain empty. Could ownership be transferred and used more
effectively? Is there scope, when closed premises, schools etc, are
better utilised outside normal ‘working’ hours?
·
Parking
Management Questions and scope for Improvements.
Is existing Long Stay/ Short Stay parking
effective?
Is there a requirement for more long stay parking
in the centre of Cowes?
Are disabled bays fit for purpose and best located
to support residents?
Can parking be improved to support businesses and
commuters without impacting on visitors and residents?
Please let me know your thoughts?
Egypt Light.
Due to the perseverance of former Town Councillor, Elliott
Hamilton the Egypt Light was last restored in 2007.
Following concerns raised by Cowes Heritage of its future as
both a Heritage Asset as well as a navigational structure, a meeting took place
with Geoff Banks to discuss options to retain the Light.
It was agreed following the meeting, to find out who owns
and is responsible for the structure, to undertake a survey of the structure
and consider options for its future. It was agreed in the first instance
to liaise with Cowes Harbour Commissioners, Trinity House, The IW Council and
Cowes Combined Yacht Clubs.
Once jurisdiction is known, a report would be drafted with the
potential for future maintenance and retention. In addition, discussion
took place about potentially forming a Trust to oversee and agree options.
If you have an interest in Egypt Light, or know of its
history, and who may have jurisdiction over the structure, please let me
know.
Garden Waste.
With
the purchase of a new vehicle to collect garden waste, the waiting list to
subscribe for this service is growing. If you would like to be contacted when
this service is available for 2020/2021, please email: waste.contract@iow.gov.uk and request to be added to the
waiting list. Further information can be found at: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Waste-and-Recycling/Household-Waste-and-Recycling-Collection/Green-Garden-Waste
Planning Updates.
·
Bucklers
View.
A modified plan has been submitted, which has taken
on board comments made concerning the need to reduce the size, scale and mass
of the proposals. I am advised that conditions are likely to be added which
includes a financial contribution to improve access to shops, soft landscaping
and a construction management plan during works. In addition, I am asking for officers to
consider data received from the questionnaire circulated in June to consider
long term parking challenges faced by residents.
·
Westview
Road.
Proposals to permit some residential use of a
mobile home was refused by Planners.
·
Ward
Avenue.
I am advised that a renewed planning application
has been received to consider holiday use for outbuildings in the garden of a
property in Ward Avenue.
·
Pedestrian
Refuge, Place Road.
Because of the delay implementing this a formal
enforcement case has been enacted to conclude these conditioned highway works.
Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront.
·
Beach
Steps.
With grateful thanks to this being picked up by Gurnard
Parish Council Chairman Cllr Terry Nolan, steps leading to the beach from the
seafront has been power-washed by the IW Council to clear algae.
According to officers steps should be monitored and
cleaned fortnightly during the summer, and monthly during the winter. Due to
this year’s indian summer, I have requested more frequent monitoring and
cleansing.
·
Fly
tipping.
Discarded rubbish was reported and cleared from
Shore Path, after this was reported.
Indications show that the bags contained litter from either from a
holiday let, or visitors. In response a
letterdrop has been undertaken to property owners nearby.
·
Gurnard
Green.
Overfilled bins were again reported to the IW
Council, following hot weekends in September. Of concern, is the fact that bins
are being filled with household rubbish, which could be as a result of holiday
homes.
On this matter, I have requested bins that are
animal proofed to prevent foxes scattering litter. In the meantime, I remain
ever appreciative of residents that continue to keep me updated concerning
this!
Dead
Animals.
Island Roads will
arrange for the removal of large and domestic dead animals from all publicly
accessible areas. Please note they do not remove small animals such as rabbits,
birds, vermin that do not pose a danger/hazard to pedestrians or road users.
If cats/kittens,
dogs, foxes, badgers and swans are killed on a highway they will be picked up.
However, rats, ferrets, birds, pheasants or squirrels will not be collected.
Cats and dogs will be taken to St. Christopher House where a member of staff
will scan the animal and contact the owner, if it is chipped.
Please note that
dead animals will not be collected from private or unadopted roads.
If you believe
your pet has been collected by Island Roads contact Island Roads 24/7
helpdesk (01983 822440) to ask about the animals we have have found. Our team
will be able to give you details of any pets we have collected and where they
were found.
Dog Fouling.
A regular has been witnessed fouling dogs.
Following the individual being identified, I have requested that action is
taken. Many thanks to a number of
residents for reporting this to me!
Dust Storm over Magdalen Crescent.
Following grass being cut in dry conditions at the
Isle of Wight Community Club, I received complaints from Magdalen Crescent
residents affected by works. As a
consequence, I have been advised that ‘learning from this incident’, the club
is very apologetic (devastatingly so!) and further incidents are unlikely to
reoccur.
Telecom Cabinets.
I have been in dialogue with residents and
Wightfibre, following the prospect of a white cabinet being installed in Cliff
Road which is within the Cowes Conservation Area. In response, I am advised within conservation
areas darker cabinets are generally positioned, and this would be the case for
the Cliff Road cabinet.
Highways Issues.
·
Overgrown hedges have been reported, and action
taken at Cockleton Lane, Tuttons Hill and Winding Way.
·
Following an initial delay, a broken manhole cover
has been repaired and made safe in Park
Road.
·
Event signage, Advertising and Traffic Cones has
been reported and removed from Queens
Road (from Cowes Week) and Muggleton
Lane (from the Wolverton Fayre)
·
Abandoned vehicles have been reported with action
taken in Princes Street and Moorgreen Road.
·
A caterpillar infestation on Newport Road was reported, and appropriate action taken.
·
I have reported to Island Roads incidents of falls
that have taken place in Queens Road
and St Mary’s Road. Although, I am hoping both matters can be
resolved promptly I anticipate the need to visit Queens Road to file a report.
At Full Council, it was reported that nearing the end of Island Roads core investment period 463 out of 818 miles of carriageways had been resurfaced. From this, questions were raised about initial claims and expectations made of the 25 year project, and concerns over when the remaining resurfacing will conclude.
At Full Council, it was reported that nearing the end of Island Roads core investment period 463 out of 818 miles of carriageways had been resurfaced. From this, questions were raised about initial claims and expectations made of the 25 year project, and concerns over when the remaining resurfacing will conclude.
Events.
·
IWASP have organised a Tea and Technology, Scones
and Scams Event between 1 and 3pm on
Thursday, 3rd October at Newport Library which provides
residents with tools to steer clear of online scams (and scones). The event is hosted by Age UK and Trading
Standards.
·
With Winter approaching, Get free help from the
Footprint Trust with Energy & Water Bills, Benefits & Money and Grants
& Allowances from 11am-3pm, Thursday
10th October at Newport’s Riverside Centre.
·
The Blue Lamp Trust are holding a Home Safety &
Security Event 10-12:30pm, Tuesday 15th October at Cowes Library.
Also this month:
·
Meetings have taken place putting the finishing
touches to draft proposals to the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal
Path, which will be consulted upon next year. In the meantime, negotiations
continue with major landowners most notably to include access to Ministry of
Defence and English Heritage owned land at Porchfield and Osborne.
·
I have met a number of residents and businesses who
raised concerns over parking and highway arrangements for Cowes Week.
·
I attended a meeting hosted by Northwood Parish
Council and attended by IW Council Leader, Dave Stewart and Planning Portfolio
Cabinet Member, Barry Abraham. Of
concern to me was the increased annual housing number on the Island from 525 to
641, and now to 675. Following my
feedback, at this and a follow up meeting, I sense that this figure is now
considered by Council Leaders to be too high.
·
A Parklands Avenue resident with an unkempt garden
has been reported to Environmental Health, following rats being sighted
visiting. This is the second incident within three years.
·
A resident has reported to me an alleged assault by
a frisky seagull who attacks and pecks the heads on unsuspecting ramblers the
Coastal Path overlooking Gurnard Ledge. Ramblers, be warned!
·
A resident has expressed concerns to me over IW
Council allegedly withdrawing funding to the Ryde Aspire Project. This is being investigated with local Ward
Members.
·
I have received feedback regarding concerns over
the roll-out of 5G technologies. I am
advised, to date that this is not currently an issue for Islanders.
·
A Full Council, I supported proposals tabled to
support the IW Council’s Biosphere Strategy.
·
I have met supporters of the IW Tramway.
·
I undertook Licensing Training, and learnt near
enough everything there is to know about licensing reviews!
·
A request was made for costings for a potential
Free Parking Session at Cross Street Car Park.
