NEWS FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
PAUL HEWER AND DAVID HOLTBY
The recent bad weather proved a bit of a challenge, particularly for some
of our older residents, but people rallied round and it was great to see
good neighbourliness very much to the fore. It took a while to develop our “winter
legs” and motorists had to relearn the skill of driving on snow and
ice – slow and steady certainly won the race. Owners of 4-wheel drive
vehicles were quids-in and happy to share their good fortune, with others.
The Winter Weather Plan swung into action, with main roads, certain other
important routes and town centre footways gritted according to a pre-agreed
priority. We can all think of better ways of doing things next time and,
to this end, you are encouraged to contribute to a review that we are undertaking
jointly, with our Town Council colleagues. Perhaps you know a route that
should be afforded a higher priority or can suggest a better location for
a grit box – please pass your ideas to the Town Council Office at the
Library.
Planning for our much-needed Canal Footbridge goes on apace, with the structural
engineers working closely, with the designers to produce a safe and pleasant
crossing. Their ideas will be displayed in the Library for the month of March
and there will be a further Public Meeting, during the last full week of
March, once people have had a chance to study the plans. Your comments are
important, so don’t hang-back. We have come a long way in a year and
will, hopefully, see something taking shape in the not too distant future.
The unadopted service road in Church Way has been a problem for many years
and we are close to getting something done about it. The gravel washes down
the hill, blocking the drains as far as Parsonage Lane. The new scheme will
see the road properly surfaced and the associated drains refurbished. It
has been a long-time in coming, but the plan will improve the look of the
area, whilst making things a lot more comfortable for residents.
There have been some well-publicised concerns about a couple of proposed
housing developments North of the A4. Both were outside the Development Boundary
and, therefore, destined for refusal. The District Council recently adopted
a Corps Strategy for the Government-imposed Local Development Framework,
which will determine the shape of our communities for many years. It is a
long, protracted process and, until complete, our boundaries will remain.
Don’t forget, if you need help with a problem or want to share an idea,
you can telephone, e-mail, write or attend one of our “Surgeries” at
10 am - 12 noon on the first Saturday of each month at Hungerford Library
in Church Street.
Serving the community
by working closely with the Town Council to represent Hungerford in West
Berkshire
phewer@westberks.gov.uk (07979) 257329 djholtby@wbca.org.uk (07753) 635296