Agenda item

Rossiter Close –

ED informed the meeting that the statutory Gating Order consultation had received various representations, including objections and 2 petitions; one petition for the gating and one against.  The Gating Panel has reviewed the representations and no decision has been made yet as to whether to make the Gating Order.  There will be a monitoring period with a Stryker camera currently set up in the alleyway, residents issued with incident diary sheets, regular attendance by police patrols and also by community wardens with the alley on their hotspot list.  The Wardens will engage with residents by door knocking to gauge feelings about the alleyway.

There have been no recent reports as the main complainant has been away for the last month.  The main objections are that the gating is unnecessary and the alternative route is unreasonably inconvenient.  The Stryker camera will be in this location for the next few months and any reports from residents will be checked against the camera footage.  The decision is on hold. 

DM recalled the LAF’s previous response including caveats about the youth service in the area near the alleyway and that the alleyway land be utilised in some way.  WS confirmed that the youth bus which had been attending Kedermister Park weekly is due to be scrapped.  Also, the space in the alley could not be used as it remains public highway and contains services under the surface.

Members were surprised at the distances involved in the alternative route and how significant this is for older residents.

ED reiterated that in the face of such strong opposition there is a need for the evidence coming in to be checked to make sure it is firm enough. 

The main evidence is of youths gathering, knocking on the walls, shouting, talking loudly.  According to the police the gatherings usually happen when it’s raining.  Sound proofing was suggested again as a possible solution, however, this would probably not be funded by the Council.  IH thought the problem was not unexpected behaviour.

DM felt it was negative to gate the alley and walk away without dealing with the underlying problems.  ED explained that local residents had suggested a mosquito device and this proposal is being investigated.  ED stated that the Gating Panel meets every month and evidence from the Stryker camera would be important in reaching a decision.

Members felt strongly that the LAF should make further representations as follows;

-  emphasising their previous concerns and recommending additional resources are directed towards youth services.

-  adding an expression of concern over the detour distances detrimental to local residents

Resolved - members agreed that the LAF would make further representations as above.  JW to action.

Kendal Close Path -

ED explained the idea for a mural project on two walls, one running along the path and the other on land adjacent.  The artist will be Spencer Lowe who undertook murals at Britwell and at the footpath leading to the Jubilee River near Chalvey Waste and Recycling centre.  The project is likely to involve local young people and local secondary schools.  There was a request to have the path gated, though the Gating Panel considered there was insufficient evidence of crime to justify this.  Housing is looking at the possibility of lighting the footpath.

JW has heard from James Lazarus at CRT who says that a development scheme at the basin is being progressed, though; it appears to be some years off at present.  He would not agree anything at this stage about public access crossing CRT land.  So it is likely that Housing will be asked to dedicate the route as a public footpath anyway.

The mural project will go ahead if sufficient funding can be accessed and members agreed that the project has full LAF support.

KW mentioned the new path surfacing on the towpath on the south side of the canal saying it’s better than it was and is improved for cycling though had not been done very well.  JW said the works were done by hand due to accessibility issues and that they wanted to ensure the budget stretched as far as possible; she would go and check.  Members also noted the difficulty for pedestrians and cyclists in accessing the car park area safely due to commercial vehicles using it. 

Usage surveys –

JW tabled the usage survey results for;

• FP57 – Glentworth Place to Tuns Ln
• Lerwick Drive to Mildenhall Road
• Birch Grove cut though

Resolved – updates on Rossiter Close and Kendal Close project to be brought to future meeting. Forward extract of minutes to Esther Deacon.