Residents' Update:
Sunday 17th July 2016

Dear All,

This week’s update includes:- Whitley Residents Meeting; Cheylesmore Library Likely to Close in April 2017; Seymour Close Bins Not Emptied; Please Take Care and Be on Your Guard; Parking on Dropped Kerbs; 60s Music Talk and Coventry; Coventry Bus Changes start 24 July 2016; Upcoming Works or Road Closures; Where are the Wardens?; Tollbar End Improvement; Free Trees for Schools, Community and Youth Groups; ‘Your Police-Your Priorities’; Fishing for beginners; Car Park Changes at Coombe Country Park; Family Fun Activities; City Councillors United Against Racism and Hate Crimes; Heritage Open Days; Sign up for Sky Ride; Scams; Product Recall; Diary; Useful Links. And Finally

Whitley Residents and Neighbourhood Watch Meeting
At last week’s meeting Judith Applegarth showed us the proposed plans for the new SEN school to be built on the Alice Stevens site (see top photo)

Local residents, Doug & Rod, have had several meetings with the Council where they’ve explained the views & concerns of local residents. Everyone was pleased that these issues have been listened to & included in the design. At the meeting Lindsey made a further suggestion with respect to the position of a path because he knew where the ‘Right of Way’ started. His view was accepted. This project proves that local knowledge is invaluable. However it is taking a lot of hard work by some dedicated residents.

An application is being made to the planning department this week. It is hoped that the old Alice Stevens school will be demolished in August and the new school be completed by September 2017

Cheylesmore Library Likely to Close in April 2017

Currently about 250 people a week visit the Cheylesmore Library.
This week the head of Library Services had a meeting with the Manager of Cheylesmore Community Centre about the fate of Cheylesmore Library. Over the past year there had been discussions taking place between the Council and the Community Centre with respect to a partnership agreement and as part of a “connecting communities” bid to keep the library open. However, since the recent change in leadership of the Council these plans have been revised and further cuts proposed.

At this present moment Cheylesmore Library, under draft proposals, can now only stay open if run by volunteers. A few experienced individuals have hinted that they may be interested in volunteering, so adequate training can be given.

If you are interested in volunteering to help run the library then please contact the Community Centre or us.

Seymour Close Bins Not Emptied
The saga for the residents of Seymour Close not having their bins emptied has spanned 3 years. Frequently the bin lorries are unable to enter the close because of parked cars. This problem has now escalated as inconsiderate parking is now preventing ambulances from entering the close. Roger has had a lot of correspondence & meetings on this issue. Here is the latest episode:
Hi Roger
Bins were finally emptied this week, with no problem, BUT After a resident in Seymour, telephoned two weeks ago to complain that the blue bins hadn’t been emptied, the lady on the line at the Council House, remembered her from when she reported it every week, during that bad time we had. She said that she would refer it to the Highways Department, which she did.
As far as I can understand it, they are asking us to do all of that that we have already done I.e. petition, going on a waiting list etc. We have been there and done all that and after, as I pointed out before, over 3 years, we are still waiting. I know the Highways Dept. don’t think it is a priority, but all of the resident here do. Especially when it interferes with ambulances getting in and out too. Here someone’s life could quite possibly be in danger.
What will it take for us to get something done, whatever it may be. Can you please, please, try and get something done for us, sooner rather than later, as otherwise we will never be a priority in their eyes and nothing will ever get done. Thanking you in anticipation.

Roger contacted Joel Logue, Senior Engineer – Highways, Traffic, Road Safety and received this response
I am deeply concerned that emergency access may be prohibited by the parking situation on Seymour Close.

Therefore, I will add Seymour Close (the locations we discussed at the site visit) to be advertised in the next batch of traffic regulation orders (September). When the order is advertised on-site, I will write to residents to inform them of the advertisement period, so that they can either support or reject the proposals.

Please Take Care and Be on Your Guard
Rod, a neighbourhood watch coordinator in Whitley has sent us this:
Good morning.
I would like to express our concerns as recently we have had a few young men calling at houses in Whitley carrying ladders asking if residents would like to have the gutters of their houses cleared.
Despite this being perhaps perfectly ok there are a lot of pensioners like ourselves in this neighbourhood and now the warm weather is here and people do tend to leave windows open during the day it does need to be noted as a precaution.

Parking on Dropped Kerbs
We continue to receive complaints from residents of parents parking on dropped kerbs when dropping their children off at school. Roger talked to Ian Lewis, Senior Programme Manager & received this response:
Good Morning Councillor Bailey,
This is something that does crop up a lot and I have dealt with these kind of issues a number of times.

The Highways Act does state that you cannot block a means of access or egress on or off the highway by means of causing an obstruction.

The problem you have here is that legally only the Police have the powers to immediately deal with an obstruction on the highway, by whatever means they think are appropriate. This could be asking a vehicle to move or as extreme as having the vehicle towed away. The grey area with drop kerbs is the definition of causing an obstruction and can a vehicle gain access or egress. Normally there are no road markings to judge this by, which is why in some instances a white ‘H-bar’ road marking is installed across the crossing. This gives both the Police and CEO’s (Civil Enforcement Officer) a measurable item to use for clarity. As with any road marking this is not a straight forward process and requires an application and advertisement.

I have had a quick look on Google at the road and layout and I think installing any road markings would be a dangerous proposal and would lead to others requesting the same feature. This is more likely to displace vehicles to other areas which can be a danger in itself, it increases the risk of higher speeds of vehicles as parked cars do tend to slow vehicles down and as a result of large numbers of road markings it can lead to confrontations between property owners and vehicle owners.

The problem will lie with resources and the times at which the obstruction is caused. Often by the time someone attends site the vehicle has gone or if a CEO is on site on a particular day the obstruction is not likely to happen due to a visible presence. I have been involved in a similar situation in Birmingham and the school distributed notes to parents warning them of blocking drives and that they would actively support the local residents/Police/Council in removing the issue. We then had a CCTV car drive around the location for a couple of days over a 4 week period and this helped.

60s Music Talk and Coventry

From Larry, a local resident:
Further to my little talk at the Whitley History Group the other Tuesday, I plan on hopefully doing more. I won’t be charging anything but any donations will go to Myton Hospice.
The talk, with music, will last approximately 1 hour. It’s available to all ages but would be ideal for people aged 55 and over because of the Coventry history content.
I can be contacted any day on 07982 100702 or by emailing Larrythebook@gmail.com

Coventry Bus Changes start 24 July 2016
The West Midlands Combined Authority financially supports a number of bus services in Coventry that are unsustainable on a commercial basis.

As most of the contracts for these services expire this month they have recently undertaken a re-tendering exercise. In the light of the lowest prices received for each tender, and to ensure services continue to meet value for money criterion, some of these services are finishing, others changing, and some new services starting.

The changes start on Sunday 24 July 2016.
Here is a copy of the changes to routes 1, 16, 16A, 20A, 26, 27, 41, 43, 47, 60, 61 & 703A.

Editor Note. Route 41 - Stonehouse Estate to city centre will have a revised timetable to better reflect when passengers want to travel and it will now serve Whitley Abbey Road.

As reported in the last two updates, the 360 is being replaced by routes 43, 60 & 61.
Here is a map & timetable of the new services

Upcoming Works or Road Closures in our Area
Dillotford Avenue (Black Prince Ave to Campion Close) – until 4th August – Temp signals. Reason resurfacing the pavement with tarmac and replacing dropped kerbs where required.

Daventry Road (near Ulverscroft Rd) – 8th to 17th August - 4 Way Temporary Traffic Lights with Cones and Signs. Reason Large Diameter Gas main replacement

Where are the Wardens?
A resident in Cheylesmore Parking scheme asked the question “Where are the Wardens?” as
many cars were illegally parked in Humphrey Burton Road during the Godiva Festival.
This response was received from Adrian Williams, Service Supervisor, Parking Services Team:
I had 6 civil enforcement officers working in and around the Cheylesmore /Earlsdon permit zone on Saturday 2nd July 2016. As this is a permit zone we have a fair amount of ground to cover and as I explained, we try to cover as much of the zone that we can, although we cannot be everywhere all of the time. On the day in question we did visit Humphrey Burton Road and it was shortly after you had sent your email/pictures. We issued 4 penalty charge notices in that location to vehicles that did not have a permit. We then continued into Asthill Grove where we issued a further 12 penalty charge notices to vehicles there that were not displaying permits.
I hope this answers your question regarding where are the wardens and as I promised earlier I will always respond and do my best with the resources I have available to me to enforce the parking regulations in Earlsdon & Cheylesmore as well as the rest of the city.

A45/A46 Tollbar End - Alteration at the junction of Siskin Drive & Rowley Road
An alteration to the traffic lanes at the junction of Siskin Drive and Rowley Road will be put in place this weekend (16 – 17 July) on a temporary basis until the permanent layout is completed towards the end of 2016. Putting this temporary layout in place this weekend means that we can keep to the current programme of works and open roads as soon as possible.

This temporary layout will be retained to allow for the construction of the new traffic islands and signals at the Rowley Road/Siskin Drive junction. The right turn from Rowley Road to Siskin Drive will be prohibited while this temporary traffic layout is in place. During this time, drivers can access Siskin Drive by taking the exit slip road from Tollbar roundabout.

The existing mini-roundabout junction at Rowley Road/Siskin Drive is to be removed and replaced with a new “Give Way” junction layout. In addition to the changes to this junction, the approach from the Tollbar roundabout is also to be altered. The work is to be carried out using lane closures and access will be maintained at all times.
• View the temporary road layout

Free Trees for Schools, Community and Youth Groups
The Woodland Trust has 4,750 free tree packs to give away to schools, community and youth groups.
The free tree packs are available for planting on one publicly accessible site.
The amount of saplings organisations can apply for depends on the space available. Packs will be awarded on a first come first serve basis. All applicants need to do is find a suitable site and supply the volunteer planters and tree protection. The woodland should be enjoyed for years to come. The planting area should be accessible to the public so that it can be used and enjoyed by others. The closing date for applying for a free pack is 7 September 2016. Read more

‘Your Police-Your Priorities’
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has published a consultation on what should be the strategic priorities for his new term in office – ‘Your Police-Your Priorities’. The deadline for completion is 18 July.

Fishing for Beginners at Coombe Country Park

Fishing for beginners is back with two dates this summer. This workshop is extremely popular and always sells out, so early booking is advisable.

Sessions cost £10 per child and are suitable for children aged eight to 16 years.
Children aged 12 and over must have their own rod licence. They can be purchased from the Post Office. Junior licences are £5 for the year.

Car Park Changes at Coombe Country Park

Important information for car park season ticket holders
You may have noticed recently some changes to the look of our car park. We are introducing a new car park system with barriers and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).
All season ticket holders will receive letters this week requesting confirmation of their details so that we can ensure their registration numbers are accurately added to the database. This exercise will ensure that the cameras which are linked to the entry and exit barriers will lift for current season ticket holders. No additional passes will be required. Please complete and return the form in the envelope provided or alternatively confirm your details at www.coventry.gov.uk/coombeparking

Family Fun Activities at Coombe Country Park

Lots more fun activities are taking place this summer for all ages. Give us a call on 024 7645 3720 to make a booking.
Birds of Prey Display - Every Friday 22 July to 2 September
Shelter Building - 26 July & 23 August
Fire Lighting - 26 July & 23 August
Fresh Water Critters - 27 July & 24 August
Woodland Critters - 2 & 3 August

Coventry City Councillors United Against Racism and Hate Crimes

Roger said that it was fantastic to see all councillors come together as one, in support of the motion presented and on behalf of Coventry. A number also talked about their personal experiences, which was emotional at times.
Read more

Heritage Open Days
This year’s open days are Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th September.
They now have 45 venues signed up which can be viewed on the National online directory www.heritageopendays.org.uk.

Gosford Bookshop - Saturday and Sunday - 11am – 4pm

A first for the event, a unique opportunity to view the stone lined pit which was discovered in the shop’s back yard during an archaeological dig by volunteers from CADAS the Coventry and District Archaeological Society. Photographs from the dig as well as relics found can be seen. Members of CADAS will also be available. Also a chance to view the only surviving medieval pit in Coventry, which the building extension sits on. This can be viewed through a trap door.

Coventry Transport Museum
Saturday only- store tour – A chance to travel on the museums 1963 Daimler Double Decker bus to view the museum’s off-site vehicle store. Staff available to talk about the collection. Tours will run 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. Meet at reception. Maximum 20 per tour
Booking details – must pre-book via website www.transport-museum.com

Coventry Solihull and Waste Disposal Limited (CSWDC)
CSWDC is an independent waste management company. Their main business is extracting energy (heat and electrical power) from municipal and commercial solid waste. The company has operated in Coventry since 1975. They also operate a waste recycling and reuse centre on behalf of Coventry City Council.
Special guided tours are available but must be pre-booked. For details & more attractions click here

Sign up for Sky Ride

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Warning to Businesses – Tool Sharpening Scam

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Emperor Windows Ltd - Business Closes

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Rio Olympic Tickets Warning

Residents' Update: Sunday 17th July 2016

Residents' Update:
Sunday 17th July 2016