New play equipment opened by Mayor

I was very pleased to attend the opening of the new Ramsden Square Rec play areas yesterday!

The new equipment is a very welcome addition, and from the positive comments I got from chatting to a few residents it appears that the consultation process to get to this point was very successful.

Hopefully I'll be able to point the blog at a picture soon!

Well done to the City officers and contractors for a fabulous job. It also shows how successful residents interventions can be, a model your LibDem City Council tries to follow.

If you are worried about the bare earth there is a plan: the earth will be allowed to settle, roots/stones etc will be removed, and then in autumn it will be seeded (so that the grass has a chance to survive).

One concern was raised with me by residents about dog mess in the play area. From discussion with residents, officers and our wonderful City Ranger I understand that some signs will be put up to remind owners of their responsibilities. I'll also ask the Dog Wardens to target the area.
Additional litter bins have been ordered for the site too.

Planning application on Milton Rd

There is a planning application for a "New dropped crossing and hardstanding" at 378 Milton Road. I wasn't sure what this means so I asked the very nice planning officer. It means that the application is to put a dropped kerb in to allow vehicular access to the property from the road, and putting paving in the garden (presumably for the car).


As usual you can get more information from the Planning department. The reference is 08/0818/FUL

Community Safety Survey

The Safer Communities department at the City, along with other partners in the County are conducting a survey to find out about people's views on crime and misbehaviour in their neighbourhoods.

The survey is online and only takes about 10 minutes to do.

It doesn't take long to do, and can be anonymous (although they do ask for a postcode to identify any areas where they may be problems). If you chose to you can be entered to a prize draw to win £50 of vouchers.

Fix to manhole in Minerva Way

Another quick feedback: I was out today in Minerva Way and saw a manhole I had reported a dangerous problem with being fixed.

Anything that is clearly dangerous let us know of as the County Highways department do their best. The problem is with bigger projects rather than isolated problems. Only four projects were funded in the City last year, and only four this year. There are many more projects that could be done.

Please let us know of any problems: even if we can't get them fixed we can make sure the County know people are not happy.

City centre road closures

In a welcome development (given the short notice we got when King's Hedges Road closed!), I received a letter from the County Council about closures to Emmanuel Street over the summer.

The closures are to build a new traffic island and resurface the road.

The given times are

• From 6am Sunday 17th August through to 6am on Monday 18th August.
• From 6am Sunday 24th August through to 6am on Monday 25th August (Bank Holiday).
• A further closure may be necessary from 6am to 6pm on Sunday 31st August.

but these are subject to change. They say more information will be on the County Council website, but I can't find it at the moment. (If anyone can find it let me know and I'll update this post!)

Planning application on Ramsden Square

Another planning application on Ramsden Square.

This time it is for a "Proposed,detached two storey dwelling within the existing dwelling plot. New additional access and off street parking."

The case number is 08/0976/FUL and more information can be obtained from the City Council Planning department. You can monitor and comment on applications online, and can also see the plans at the Guildhall, or at the City Homes North office on Arbury Road, or Milton Road library. More details here.

Local government strike: bin collections

I've been told that the strike has had an effect on rubbish collections.

Black bin collections have gone ahead as normal.

The green bin collections are short staffed and behind. As a result the decision has been made to transfer some people from the dry recycling (black/blue boxes) onto the green bins to catch up.

If you can't take your own recycling to a centre then I have been told that extra dry recycling receptacles will be accepted in two weeks time to deal with the excess then. (So put more stuff in your blue box alongside the black in a fortnight.)

Sorry about the inconvenience!