Twenty Mile an Hour Speed limit
On Monday 22 August West Bletchley Council discussed the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on some roads in our area. Unfortunately we did not hear about this in time to discover members’ views about the proposal. West Bletchley councillors voted for the 20 mph limit in principle. A working party is to be set up to discuss with residents the exact locations for a trial. If you wish to know more, contact West Bletchley Council – telephone 648257 or e-mail clerk@westbletchleycouncil.gov.uk
Land at South East Corner of Bletchley Park
The developer of the canteen site, who also built a large part of the estate at the north end of the Park, owns land at the south east comer. Although residential blocks that stood there have been demolished, a planning application to build on the site has not yet been received. However, an application concerning screening for sixty dwellings indicates what the developer has in mind. This is not good news; as yet another housing estate close to Bletchley Park will not enhance its environment.
The Leys – Workshop 14 September 2011
In recent Newsletters we mentioned that West Bletchley Council was exploring ways to improve The Leys open space with money from planning gain. The consultation period for residents to submit ideas ended on August 31st. The Council is now arranging a drop-in workshop for anyone interested. This aims to review all the suggestions received so far, to discuss priorities, and to state how to keep involved with developments.
The date of the workshop is Wednesday 14 September: 2.00pm to 5.00pm on The Leys, 5.00pm to 8.00pm at the Melrose Avenue Resource Centre Shop.
Bletchley Park Estates – Road
BPARA has a number of members living on the new estates at the north end of Bletchley Park, most of whom have now lived there for a number of years. Several of them have asked us whether anything can be done to speed up the adoption of the estate roads by Milton Keynes Council. There are problems due to the lack of road markings. For example, commuters park all day on Girton Way, the only entrance to the estate. The developers have introduced a one way system, which is not legally enforceable on unadopted roads. We have contacted Milton Keynes Council and our MP, lain Stewart, about this. We are told that, as things are at the moment, legislation only obliges councils to adopt estate roads when a whole development is complete. Unfortunately, there is still a block of flats and some social housing to be built on the Park estate. Mr Stewart has been informed by the Department of Transport that a working group is currently exploring the “possibilities of reform of the way streets on new housing estates are developed and adopted by local authorities.” This may lead to improvements in the future, but, sadly, any new legislation is unlikely to benefit our members and other residents on the estate.
Our Oak Tree
The news of HM the Queen’s jubilee celebrations next Year are a reminder of a very happy occasion for the Association. For her Golden Jubilee we held a picnic on the Church Green, attended by a large number of members, and planted a tree, which is still thriving there. The cost of insurance makes such events too expensive to arrange now, but we may be able to do something to mark the occasion.
West Bletchley Traffic Review
At last! Some double yellow lines as a result of this review have begun to appear belatedly. As yet no arrangements for timed parking have been installed in the access road to St Mary’s Church.
More Awaydays
Graham Simpkins, a member of BPARA is still arranging interesting day trips. On Tuesday 20th September the trip is The Best of British Music Festival at the Royal Festival Hall; Tuesday 11th October to Savill Gardens and Windsor for Autumn colour; Tuesday 8th November to National Arboretum and Lichfield.
For further details, contact Graham on 01908 378945 or GSA@grahamsimpkins.com
Bletchley Transport Strategy
Meetings are continuing to discuss proposals contained in the final report on the Bletchley Transport Strategy which was published in March this year. Angie Ravn-Aagaard, Chris Simpson and Bill Matins are attending on behalf of the Association. It seems that Milton Keynes Council has decreed that the conclusions reached in the document cannot be dealt with separately, but must be included in the overall Milton Keynes Transport Plan. We are not impressed to hear that the Bletchley document was allegedly received by Milton Keynes Council too late for any of its proposals to be included in the budget for 2011 to 2012. We hope that this is not a sign that the Strategy will go the way of a number of previous surveys, produced by consultants at great expense. Had the money spent on those been used instead for improving, say, the junction of Watling Street with Saxon Street (B&Q roundabouts), for example, a long-standing problem might have been solved some time ago. That junction and the junction of Sherwood Drive with Buckingham Road are among the problems (or “interventions” as they are called in the text) chosen for priority treatment in the Strategy. We shall do our best to ensure that such essential works are included in next year’s budget.
The former Bletchley Park Canteen Buildings, Wilton Avenue
Milton Keynes Council has refused an application to demolish the former canteen buildings and erect six houses on the site. A part summary of the reasons for the decision states: “The proposed demolition of the building would lead to the removal of a building which positively contributes to the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. The application has not justified the loss of the building and has not fully explored other future uses of the building which could retain part/all of the existing building.” So far the developer has not appealed against this decision In the meantime, the buildings are still a target for vandals.
