Who will you vote for in Calne North Unitary Elections

Peter Dolman · Who will you vote for in Calne North Unitary Elections

A question for all those who live in Calne North Ward and are elgible to vote in the Unitary Authority elections on June 4th.

This will be, possibly, the only opinion poll for the ward and it will be interesting to see if it accurately predicts the result.

Another first for Calnetalk.com

Peter Dolman

Yes I did vote for myself, as I will on June 4th.

GTB

It should be an interesting local election for the members of Calnetalk because they have been reading the views of two of the proposed candidates and maybe even swayed in who they were going to vote for. Let's just hope that apathy doesn't strike too much at this election.

As a quick aside, what is the usual turnout for an election of this sort? Percentage wise?

Peter Dolman

The turnout for "County Council" elections is normally greater than that for town/parish or district council, but after the revelations of the last week I am not sure what is going to happen.

I have encountered considerable anger towards "politicians" and claims from individuals that they will not vote again.

The MP's expenses scandal is likely to run for some time to come and will hopefully lead to reform of Parliament, its been a gravy train for to long. A fully transparent process is needed so that we can all see exactly what is being paid to our representatives. They receive several different allowances of which only one is being investigated!

I hope that apathy does not strike to deep, no matter who you vote for please take time to vote.

Peter Dolman

Surely someone will vote for me? (other than myself that is)

GTB

Round where I live (in Seend Cleeve - about 9 miles from Calne) I have not had one electoral leaflet dropped through my door or even had a candidate turn up on my door step to offer me their views on what is wrong with our local community and how they intend to put it right. At least on here we have two very passionate people in the shape of Peter and Roger (Chuck) intent on improving the lives of the local community. I just wish we had some body round these parts with the same amount of drive.

Local lass

Peter Dolman

Local Lass the problem is that I cannot agree with you all the time as that means I am disagreeing with others.
I assure you that I am open minded and prepared to accept other points of view but only if there is a strong arguement to do so.
I am also prepared to express my point of view and stand my corner.

An example being my stance over the playing field and the proposed community hall. I resigned from being deputy mayor and argued against building on the playing field. I then received many declarations of support from residents. Over the next 2 years I kept arguing and working away at lobbying councillors untill they changed their minds. In part because of my determination but also because of the large number of residents who also did not want the field built on.

Many people believe I am still on the town council even through I was not elected in 2007. I attend many council meeting (more than some councillors) I am being contacted all the times by residents with problems they want someone to help them with.

There are times when you need to be strong, Calne has been the poor relation for to long when it comes to the handing out a cash and goodies. If elected I will fight tooth & nail on behalf of Calne that you can be sure of.

We need strong local representation, I and others believe that I am the person to do so!

Local lass

Peter Dolman

so we will have to agree to differ on some issues.

the only way in my opinion, as a local resident, to resolve the traffic problems is to have less car journeys. its the most practical solution and will not cost me anything, most of the other (solutions) will cost money.

you disagree as you are part of the problem, sorry I don't want to offend but thats the truth.

I suspect that I am not the only person who has the same opinion as me.

Local lass

Peter Dolman

I don't say that taking cars off the road is popular or that it will ever happen I am saying that its my suggestion no matter how practical.

The cost of putting a zebra crossing with traffic lights will cost a considerable amount. It was suggested that traffic lights could be installed for Curzon Street and it would cost in the region of £100,000 to do so. Not my figures but that offered by someone at county hall.

I agree with the grass cutting issue. The bye-pass and green areas on the new estate is still, I understand, the responsibility of the developers as they have yet to formally hand over the estate(s).
Then there is the cost of the sports complex. The town council have (or will be if not already done so) be spending £54,000 on machinery and employing 2 groundsmen full time at an estimated cost of approx £50,000 per year in wages. Incidently when the post were advertised they were flooded with applications.

I argued unsuccessfully that they could have contracted out the work as there are many small business's who could have done the job for less money. Unfortunately not enough town councillors agreed with me. Therefore our town precept includes approx £18:00 just for the grass cutting at Beversbrook.
When the estates are handed over the cost of grass cutting will increase yet again.

The question I suppose is do we want nice green areas, because if we do there is always a cost to keep them tidy?

Peter Dolman

An interesting fact about the election for the unitary vote is that out of the 3 candidates I am the only one eligible to vote in Calne North Ward!

Do I care about what happens in the ward, you bet I do because it affects me personally!

Chuck

Oh and like it doesn't affect me, owning a business in Calne employing people who live in Calne, who sit around me in the office, who all have needs and requirements. But you do quite rightly say it - plenty of times and to be frank I'd do the same. But I have to say what happens here is just as important to me.

Chuck

sophy

GTB, you asked earlier in the thread about turnout in local elections. It is usually quite low -- about 35 to 40%.

Low turnouts tend to favour the minority parties.

However this election also coincides with the European elections, which may boost turnout slightly. The European elections use a proportional representation system, which is also very good for minority parties.

Peter, you are right, I live just outside the Calne North boundary. By some weird quirk of the way the boundary is drawn I'm actually registered as a voter in Calne South and Cherhill, even though High penn is about as far North as you can be in Calne.

I chose to stand here rather than in CS&C because I know the area much better and feel very much part of the community here.

Chuck

There are plenty of people who have said they will not vote which is a shame.

Also there are some people in pretty tough situations whose information I will pass on if I am not elected. I wonder can we agree that we will all do the same thing as if we have unearther a person in a poor situation we should help. I would ove a Calne North debrief in the pub and perhaps we should ask others to do the same in other Calne Divisions - there are some pretty good people standing in all parties (and independants) it would be a shame to lose out on what people have said about their situations.

Some of the housing is not at all ideal and I can say here and now that there are some people living in Calne no better than the roughest areas of inner cities it would surprise quite a few of those who post on and reads this site.

There are also some high levels of anti social behaviour which as shocked me and the Police perhaps needs a little suggestion as to their focus to aleviate some of the tension in certain areas of Calne North (and perhaps others parts).

Chuck

Peter Dolman

Chuck welcome to Calne, warts and all.

We have a wide demographic mix and there are social problems in certain areas.

Most of these problems have been addressed by the authorities and believe it or not Calne has less problems than 3,4 or 5 years ago.

The 3 councils (town, district & county) irrespective of party lines have worked hard for youngsters in the town although much more needs to be done.
Nancy Bryant should have a mention here.

One of the biggest compliants they (teenagers) have is there is no where to go. My dream of a leisure complex could help overcome that and at the same time create potential jobs for them.

We are though no different from many other rural market towns, I am sure the same can be said for Chippenham, Melksham, Malmesbury etc etc etc

Peter Dolman

Sophy I very surprised that you are in Quemerford & Cherhill, logically you should be in Calne Rural.

Town council elections are as low as 25 to 30%, as evidenced in the recent bye-election in Calne Lickhill.

County elections tend to be higher but from comments made to me while out canvassing recently I would be very surprised if it was as high as 50%.

This is disappointing but understandable given the recent scandelous revelations. This though is an important election especially with the birth of the new single council for Wiltshire.

Please vote!

Chuck

Peter I am sure your dream has great merit there is certainly more than just an issue. Like many people in Calne it is only through scrapnig the surface that a real Calne is discovered.

Even the comparatively luxurious accomodation of the new estate has issues not withthe buildings but the finish - put simply it needs a residents association with a strong voice to respond to for the Councillor and others.

There are all sorts of offences alleged in certain area of Calne North with drug led activity of various kinds next door to people who strived to secure their families a future by buying their council house. We should not turn our backs on them and force them to face this under ociety on theor own with slos police responses etc...

We will need careful service from the Council for delivery of roads and landscaping in the new areas as righ tnow it is poor but we happily pocket the Counil tax and sidestep the obligation. West Lea Housing places various families in rather poor accomodation in some areas then appears to fail to act if they behave anti socially - if Calne as a school there would be some exclusions that is certain. Kids ridgin aroudn at 40 or 50 on mini motos no helmets making others suffer with their disparraging comments.

There is massive potential the public need to be rallied round to work together to make Calne a better place the town council has a lot to do as do the other elected representatives its nowhere near beyond turning around but in 10 years time unless we act now we may have bigger wider and more serious issues to deal with.

I know I will workhard to turn this around, I am sure Peter and Sophy will do the same but then we have put our heads above the parrapit it is even true that those who read and post on this care and have a thought for community - but it is those who will not vote, who do not care, who perhaps make up the anti social minority that need to be brought around.

We are preaching to the converted, calling on some areas you know that those who need converting are deaf to society and we need to break through. We talked quite strongly about the public's wish not to see a traveller camp in Calne, but we have ignored the cancer within, limited it may be but ever present to those who have to live with it day in day out. Visible policing, a youth based leisure complex, careful schooling, a responsive and motivated society it is up to those of us who seek to lead the community to do something to try to balance Calne before it tips past the crucial point. We are a way off yet but there is much to do to help people feel that their opnions, conditions, and lives matter. Those who are deaf to society and the pain they cause to others will need some pretty careful handling but as I said before the ever present bullying policy in schools (good thing) has a place wider society too!

It is fine to have a dream but those who have had a dream realised have led others to dream the same this needs not to be just 'others' but all (almost) have to have the same dream.

We are not looking after poepl as we should and if Calne as I am sure it is, is a small reflection of the wider country then there are some we have let down who care and others who have let us all down who do not. How do we sort that - I am not at all sure but we owe it to the former to sort the - latter people can be big together alone they are in danger of becoming victims - society working together regulates itself but only if it is so empowered right now;

Bad behaviour is the teachers fault, anti social disruption is the police service's fault, unhealth bodies is the Government's fault, bad housing is the Councils fault, etc... etc... we need to accept that the conidtion of society IS society's fault and only society can correct by directing the establishment to help them THAT IS WHAT ELECTED REPS ARE MEANT TO DO but with society's backing and support so we all should vote - we won't but we should as the mandate should be clear hey and if the vote is a poor turnout we need to seek a mandate by shaking up the public.

Listen given the chance I'll try as I am sure the others will but one person pulling on the oar in the Calne boat and we'll go in circles we need a team.

All this yah boo stuff you're to blame - no I'm not stuff it's irrelevant to those who need help we ALL have a duty we are ALL responsible we ALL have a say we all need to work together - Politics, well that is oringally an attempt to make sure certain representative of society pull together in interest of the common (their voters) good New Politics is less party (or stereotype) centred and more general - the general good of society!

Sorry off on one today hope it made sense but I guess the message is people first party second.

Chuck

Peter Dolman

Sorry Chuck but could not understand what you are trying to say. While Calne is not perfect its better than it was.

Yes we want more policing but those we have got have worked hard.

Yes Persimmon needs to pull its finger out and get on and finish what its started. (some action on the drains start this week, as a result of Chris Dobbies election to the town council Persimmon seem to have taken to heart his critisim).

Yes we do deserve to have more of our money ploughed back into projects for our town, but we have had a conservative county council for more than 10 years.

Yes we do have some great community projects the Duck race last Saturday was fantastically supported as is the Motorcycle meet, the Lantern Parade. The carnival hopefully will be bigger and better this year.

There is a lot of good about Calne and its time we talked it up not down!

sophy

Peter you are right, it seems illogical that we are in Calne South and Cherhill -- my polling station is in Cherhill! We were in Calne Without before the boundary changes.

Green Party decided not to put up a candidate in Calne Rural because we would like to see Nancy Bryant elected. She has been a great asset to Calne and has also been extremely supportive of the Calne School Farms Project which I set up.

Peter Dolman

I know someone who lives over the hill from you and her polling station is in Derry Hill. No one had explained that she could have a postal vote and by the time she applied for one she had missed the deadline for this election.

How anyone who is frail and a non driver can be expected to travel so far to cast their votes I don't know. It is just the same as disenfranchising them and is not acceptable, irrespective of the party they may wish to vote for!

Peter Dolman

The rationale behind this thread was an attempt to forecast the result of the Calne North election.

If the votes cast so far reflect the voters choice then Chuck can expect a landslide.

The responses I am getting on the doorsteps give me the impression that it will be a lot closer than than. Sophy is picking up some disinchanted main stream voters.

Surely there are more than 12, I hope that all who have voted are eligible to vote in the actual election, Calne North voters who are members/guests on this site.
12 does not constitute a large enough sample to be statistically representative.

So taking that into consideration I invite anyone reading this subject to cast vote based on the submissions of the 3 candidates.

sophy

You are right Peter!

Also wondering why the only candidates discussing policy openly are the ones for Calne North. There are several other divisions in the Calne area, and I'd like to hear from them too.

Who should I vote for in Calne South and Cherhill?

Peter Dolman

Sophy you have a simple choice between Gelnis Ansell or Alan Hill.
I would of course recommend Glenis. Why I would is based on the premis that Alan Hill is indecisive, inexperienced and economical with the truth.
Mr Hill stood as an independant candidate in a town council bye-election was not elected.
Mr Hill sttod as a Lib Dem candidate in a town council bye-election
he was not elected.
He was finally elected as a conservative in May 2007. this happens within 24 months.

He is a member of the town councils finance committee and was one of the authors of the current budget.
At the council meeting to adopt the budget he spoke passionately for it but when the recorded vote was taken he abstained. He also persuaded successfully with several councillors who voted for it prior to him casting his vote.

This shows Councillor Hill to be unsure of himself and someone who really should not have to much influence on what happens top the town.

We want and need positive action by confident able people, some one like Glenis.

Sophy to my disadvantage I have always been prepared to debate issues, this is how local "politics" should be don't you think?

Chuck

No Peter its not time we talked it up its time we talked together!

We have a responsibility to put this right, the Town Council, the new Council, Community First, the NSPCC, the Police, West Lea and any other housing association we need an action group to put Calne right. Ok it may be better as you say but I am not sure everyone would agree.

If I get this job (or you do or Sophy does) it's a big one a hard one, one which will need that person to step out of their comfort zone and get stuck in. Its not small Council stuff as District was its whole life stuff if anyone seeks to make a difference it is just the job.

I hope Peter, Sophy, me or anyone else standing is up to the job its not just planning, bins and dog poo this is for real!

Anyway that's as I see it.

Chuck

Peter Dolman

Chuck, have you been to a Calne town council meeting or any other community meeting. Do you really understand Calne or is your vision blinkered by your view from the office in Portemarsh road and your home in Chelworth.

The reality is quite different when you are at the sharpe end. You really should get out a meet more real people.

You are getting into situations without any of the history that goes before, so before you commit yourself to a course of any action I would sugest that you check it out. The same can be said about some of the comments that you are making. Some people have a different agenda than you or I.

Chuck

I am only telling those who read this what I have seen. I do not have a preconception and you are right little history to prejudice my views.

As I have said on the door step when listening to the many views of those who wish to express them if we were seeking to arrive at a perfect Calne we would not want to start the journey here. So much has been poorly planned and based on wish not reality. Then policy has changed or simply never followed that which the vision relied on, result a mess at best chaos at worst. One step at a time though.

Anyway see you about no doubt and whatever way it goes I hope we can share our experiences on the doorstep over a beer.

Chuck

Peter Dolman

Chuck not long to go now, only 8 days to the big day. How are you feet holding up with all that walking?

Will you be at the polling station, silly question I suppose?
I will be there for the 1st shift from 7 to 10am, might see you then.

One good thing coming out of the mess of the allowances scandal is that we may get some politically reform. If this gives "power" back to the ordinary MP and the voters that elect them then it will have been worth it.

It is a scandal that we have governments with big majorities elected by less than half of the voting population.
We should either make voting compulsary or have a form of proportional representation.

My fear is that Cameron and Brown will talk about it and then do nothing as all they are interested in is there own self interest! I hope that that is no to cynical a view, whats your thoughts?

Chuck

You are probably right but Cameron is making some pretty strong statements about the way foreward and delegating power.

We will have to see. I genuinely wish you the best of luck I am not sure we have the organisation in place to tell as such but we will have to see.

I started this 'campaign' behind after the Lickhill bye I am not at all sure if I have made any difference but I have seen quite a few people on the door step and still have not just leafleted. I will have to move to that practise soon just to get the area covered in the run up.

I am happy I have done what I can it is now up to who comes out and why?

Sophy may also poll a good few who make the choice in the box or who have not declared and there are plenty who will not say - I always reckon they are against.

A good cold beer to celebrate afterwards with whoever wins will be my only reward - feet not too bad but ears have taken a little bashing!

LOL Chuck

Chepfer

I'm sure you'll all be good for Calne.

My only concern is that in the past we have had outside candidates "Use" Calne as an easy option for getting onto the district and county council, because they could not get into there "Own" insignificant local councils.

You seem genuine Chuck ....... But why live in Chelworth (Cricklade), if you believe Calne is such good a place do you acyually like it enough to live here.

I see also that you are a councillor for Minety and Purton at the moment, why the change ?

Is this a genuinly want to represent Calne or is it just a way for you to make a political leap .........

I feel Sophy and Peter do not need to explain themselves as i have seen the efforts they have put into making Calne a better place ...i.e Sports centre and Sophy's fantastic idea behind the schools garden scheme .. I also know they want to make a difference as they live here, (in the area they want to represent) ........ Not just work here.

This is not a dig at anybody ... I have always voted conservative ... and though this is NOT a political vote as such, it's important to get the right person in office.

Chuck

I stood in Minety Purton last time beacuse I was asked to and I was intrigued as to how Councils work. I switched because Carol Soden is the County Councillor there (not inc Purton) I had no connection with Purton but a big connection with Calne. Work being the main driver in my life as a business owner (partner) in terms of keeping the woolf from the door.

Janey (my wife) runs a Kindergarten in Cirencester so Calne would be quite a long way for here to travel to, kids go to Grammar in Glos as Wiltshire has a reciprocal - so the bus leaves from Cirencester also.

I am too genuine to want to stiff Calne or those in it. Is it a step up the political greasy pole? I don't think so, but it is a real outlet for what I enjoy most - at nearly 50 and that is an option to give back somethingn to society.

There are plenty of Councillors who, in my opinion, are perhaps not as genuine as I am. That is not to say I am not in it for myself I am here because what gives me that warm feeling is to help turn someones situation around, to help, either big or small. From hedges to edcuation, from unemployment to drainage, from roads to disability access, it is enough (for me) just to make people's lives just that bit better or rather to try to.

Listen I am fair game, I live outside the town, but it is a really important place for me and for my family because here is where we get the job done. I simply could not stand anywhere else and feel a genuine connection.

I was interviwed with the other candidates and I guess my genuine thoughts came over - there are candidates who do not have the abilties or drive to make things better that I do some will get in some will not but the Council needs more people like me. No pretence, no love of power, just a wish to make someones life better and be fair and work hard.

Listen written down it looks sanctimonious clap trap but its is how I feel. I worry about those people I have met - too many stories but some which really make you want to get out of bed and bat for them!

I do not carry the baggage of living here for so many years, which is good and bad as I have said. I wish anyone who has put their head above the parapet the best and leave it to the public to sort out the peson they feel is right.

To be straight the voter should look to get a person who is strong enough to stand up for their area in the winning party after all that way you get a piece of both. Peter would be great but the Lib Dems are unlikely to be the ruling body and therefore he will carry less sway. But don't get me wrong he is a genuine chap too, Sophy will poll some votes too and send a clear Green message to the new Council, though I suspect she is not expecting to win strnager things have happened! But most importantly she is stnading for what she believes in and what we all need to consider for the longterm future of our World.

But after the election it will be up to those who did the voting to get their choice to work for them - everyone needs to kee the pressure on and perhaps this site should have a permanent Councillor's surgery for each one of those who are elected to represent Calne that way we can see what is being done in the voters name - or what the voters are driving for in terms of change.

Anyway good luck to anyone standing who reads this and to those wha are not please make sure you express your views in the Ballot Box as well as here.

Cheers,

Chuck

Chepfer

Good answer Chuck.

So if you were elected you would have no problem with people dropping by your place of work, to ask you questions willy nilly.

As that is what will happen !

Tont Trotman always had an open house if you had any questions that needed answering and i guess as a busnessman who is generally only in the town durng the day ... that'll be the time people will have to contact you ?

Chuck

I would welcome it!

Any excuse to get away from the day job!!!! Public toilets can get you down I need a bit of light relief!

I hope it happens as payback for me is the thought that I can sort stuff for people or at least try to.

Chuck

Chepfer

Nice one Chuck.

And please dont think i am singling you out, i am trying to have an open debate involving everyone.

So Next ....

Sophy ...... Have you been involved and what are your thoughts on the cylcle network around Calne. Do you think it could be improved and where ?

sophy

Chepfer,

as a Green I'm all for getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes -- it makes sense not just for the environment but for people's pockets and health too.

We are lucky to have some good, safe cycle routes already around Calne, but there's always room for improvement.

We've also got a great bike shop in town.

I often cycle to school with my kids on the path along the bypass, which is a lovely safe route -- I'd like to see it set up as a properly marked cycle route though, and with marked routes linking to primary schools in that part of town and also to the new Beversbrook sports centre.

National Cycle route 4 is another fantastic route, with the stretch from Calne to Chippenham perfect for someone like me who lives in Calne and works in Chip. Having said that, I believe part of the route the other side of town, going towards Avebury, needs improvement.

There is also consultation underway to improve cycle routes along Abberd Brook.

What do you think needs to be done on cycle routes Chepfer?

sophy

Chuck, you say I am not expecting to win!

If we agree that the local elections should be about people not politics (and I think we do -- you say it yourself in this week's G&H) then I think I have as much to offer and am just as capable of winning as you or Peter.

If we bring politics into the mix too, then after the recent parliamentary expenses scandals many people now view the Greens as an ethical alternative to the main parties.

This is from politics.co.uk:

"The Greens are becoming increasingly optimistic about the level of
support they receive on June 4th in the aftermath of the expenses
scandal. Analysts are expecting smaller parties to do well as a result
of many disillusioned voters staying at home and others turning to the
far-right. But party officials stress the Greens are picking up many
votes as well. A YouGov poll conducted for the Greens found voters
thought the party was the least likely to put its own finances above
those of the public. Only five per cent of respondents thought the
greens were likely to put their self-interest before the country's.
Labour were least trusted, with 45 per cent saying they were likely to
put financial self-interest before the country. The Tories were just
behind with 40 per cent."

Peter Dolman

Sophy I think that your reading of the situation is nearer the mark than Chuck's. It nearly mirrors the responses I am receiving on the door step, although you cannot always believe what you are told.

I think that the vote in Calne North Ward is to close to call at this time. The potential abstention of the conservative vote, normally an electorate that votes even in the most inclement weather, is likely to be the crucial factor.
Sophy you will pick up votes from both Chuck and myself but to what level is another factor.

All in all it is going to be an interesting and nail biting week!

Good luck to you both.

ps at least the 3 of us have a lively debate going here at www.calnetalk.com unlike the other wards in the town. We are giving our electors and opportunity to ask questions and evaluate our responses.

Chuck

Hi Sophy sorry I PM'd you by accident it is not that I do not think you are capable you are very capable I commented wrongly obviously that you did not think you would win. If you do then great, I have to say I am not at all sure som days I think its possible some days not and in all honesty I feel that I started behind.

Of course good luck to you and hey great its a 3 way thing.

I have done quite a bit of doortstep work and undecided is very high still so anything is possible I reckon.

But Sophy Capable you are and I said later everything is possible and if you DO believe you will win then I was very wrong sorry.

CHuck

Peter Dolman

Sophy, is going to get a great boast to her campaign on Wednesday night with the start of her brothers new TV programme.

Might make the difference to winning or losing!

Chuck

All I can hope for is that Chuck Berry re releases My Ding A Ling.

Anyyway wht will be will be now pretty well I guess.

Chuck

Local lass

dam annoyed i thought i would be in north calne well it turns out im not appaerently are street is split im cilvester

Chepfer

Sophy,

The main concern for me is where i canand can't cycle in the town.

I have recently seen a map of all the designated routes about the town and can honestly say that the only one that is marked, is the one around the ring road.

Calne is riddles with cycling routes, which should be marked up and made safe.

One of the routes is from back road tothe sports centre and from the sports centre to silver street, all on the wide paths .... BUT ... there is no signage anywhere to tell people this......

Like i have said before the oxford road sectio between the town and the ring road could have a cycle route and it'd make people cycle more on a safe(er) route, i know 2 people who have been hit off on the section of road !

rosco

sophy

Rosco, you can see the map of cycle routes in Calne here:

http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/calne_cycling_and_walking_routes

Chepfer, I agree the routes need to be properly marked, I see lots of people cycling on the bypass who would probably use the path if they knew it was a cycle route.

Chepfer

Yes thats the one ia have seen, well done for finding it sophy, i struggled.

Most of these routes are not marked at all.

I think the obvious one is along quemerford to cherhill, it's a nice wide path and could easily accomodate a cycleway.

Sorry off topic a little.

Peter,

If you were elected, what would your view solution be to the cars speeding down Lickhill/north street, without causing traffic jams and loss of parking spaces ?

?

Peter Dolman

Try and get the town council to spend the £75,000(?) section 106 money for traffic calming in Lickhill road. I cannot see why nothing has been done (apart from following comment), there was some local consultation with local residents in 2005/06 (?).
Although the situation is muddied by the new houses to be built in the gardens either side of the house that was demolished. It may not make sense to do anything untill that has been completed.

I agree that the speed of some drivers has a lot to be desired. I live in the part of Lickhill up from the small roundabout and even though there are some 20mph signs up people roar pass totally unphased by the fact that it is a popular place to walk (or cycle) to the bye-pass.

the path from shelburne road to the trinity was considered for sharing with cyclists but the was a considerable amount of desent from residents. The plan was to narrow the road but when it was pointed out to the highways department that when the M4 is shut this was part of the diversion route for all the heavy lorries. They were also concerned when visiting to see huge combined harvesters and other agricultural machines using the road.
The proposals were shelved because of these and other minor factors.

Peter Dolman

oophs forgot to mention none of the ideas for Lickhill road traffic calming allowed for the retention of on street car parking. it would appear you can't have your cake and eat it.
the favourite idea at the time was similar to that in London road, chippenham with island protruding into the road narrowing the road.
it would still cost an arm and a leg. the situation is further complicated by a number of cable and pipes which are under the road on the even numbered side of the road.
there was also consideration to widen the pavement which is ironic as I lived at number 3 and part of the gardens on the odd numbers side was taken away for the road to be widen. (you can see where from no 1)