Residents' Update:
Sunday 18th October 2015

Dear All,

We start this week’s update with the sad news of the death of Councillor Phil Townshend. He had been a Councillor for sixteen years and was Deputy Leader of the Council. Despite being in different parties, Hazel and Roger always held him in high regard as a politician. Our condolences are passed onto his daughter, colleagues, friends and family.

This week’s Update includes: Service of Remembrance for Bomb Disposal Squad; Petition for a Safer Crossing on Daventry Road; Food Take Away Application; Whitley Residents Meeting; Unruly Dogs in Memorial Park; Whitley Common Car Park Problem; Still Waters; Possible Noise from Tollbar Works; Remembrance Services on Sunday 8th November; Historic Street set for Facelift; Coventry Older Voices; Ricoh Arena NUCKLE Station Delay; Peace Event; Dance Event; Safety Recall; Scam Alerts; Victorian Christmas; Coventry FabLab; Diary; Useful Links. And Finally ……

Service of Remembrance for Bomb Disposal Squad.
Today (Sunday) is the 75th anniversary of the loss of seven brave soldiers, who died on Whitley Common, whilst trying to defuse a bomb that had been dropped on Coventry. They are buried in London Road Cemetery.

Over 75 people, including Mark, Roger and Hazel, attended the service which was taken by Rev Dawn Saunders from the Army base at Kineton. It was lovely to welcome 3 members of their bomb disposal squad along with their families. The Coventry Standard Bearers and their bugler added colour and occasion to the ceremony.

Mark Taylor said:
It can be very easy to drive past monuments in Coventry without realising just why they are there and how they help us to remember those who have served this country, and those we have lost. The service at Whitley was another reminder of the need (As Rev Dawn Saunders so eloquently reminded us) to engage in dialogue and reconciliation, and to seek peace.

Petition for a Safer Crossing on Daventry Road
We recently reported that Hazel handed in a petition, on behalf of residents, calling for safer crossing facilities from Asda(Cheylesmore) to the Daventry Road shops.

The Council has agreed to organise a "pedestrian count", to calculate how many pedestrians actually cross the road at this site. The results will then go to a cabinet member’s meeting to discuss what crossing facilities are required.

We will keep you updated

Food Take Away Application on Stonehouse Estate
A planning application has been received for a food takeaway in Sunbury Road. The proposal is for the subdivision of an existing shop to create a shop (Use Class A1) and a hot food takeaway (Use Class A5) plus the Installation of an external flue.

For more information or if you wish to make a comment/ objection /support the application go to the Planning Portal.

Consultation ends 19th October.

Whitley Residents & Neighbourhood Watch Association Meeting
Due to the worsening of the parking situation in Whitley, the residents’ meeting has been brought forward to 21st October at 7pm at Whitley Community Centre.

Unruly Dogs in Memorial Park
A resident, who walks her dogs in the Memorial Park, has reported an incident to Hazel of a dog owner allowing their dogs to run around the park in an unruly manner. Here is the response from Elaine Eardley, Animal Welfare/Pest Control Officer, Environmental Services, Public Safety & Housing

Thanks for contacting us with this report, we do have officers patrolling the park on regular occasions but obviously we cannot be in the park 24/7, if incidents happen they need to be reported to ourselves with times they happen and descriptions of the people and dogs then we can get some patrols carried out at the relevant time. If we could get any further information regard this incident then the information can be passed over to the Neighbourhood Enforcement Officers to carry out surveillance to see if we can catch them.

Whitley Common Car Park Problem
Here is the correspondence between Hazel and Dave Lewis the Council’s Parks Development Officer

Dear Dave
The issue of vehicles using the car park on Whitley Common as an all-day car park is getting worse.

A resident has reported to me that they went to the park this morning and there were no places available for him to park. Also that cars were parked all along the road (the Park Paling). He could walk but he is concerned for mums with toddlers and their safety as they are also having to park on the road to access the park.

I am aware that there are some plans to resurface this car park in the future. As part of these plans could a restriction notice saying “free parking for two hours” be erected?

I feel that with JLR expanding so fast something needs to be done to allow local residents to use the park.

Cllr Hazel Noonan

Good afternoon Cllr

We are aware of this growing issue and felt that it would only be a matter of time till genuine park users were unable to park in there. We had a similar issue with Costain staff parking in there when the bridge construction was taking place and even had an insurance claim from one of them stating he had tripped over something as he cut across the park as opposed to using the lit footpath.

The refurbishment of the car park is imminent and we will look into the provision of signage confirming that it is provided for park users only and indicating a time limit, if it is enforceable.

I believe that JLR are obliged to provide a car park as part of a planning agreement, however they may have up to two years to do so.

Regards

Dave Lewis
Parks Development Officer

Possible Noise from Tollbar Works
On Wednesday, we received this apology from Alan Jones the public Liaison officer for GalifordTry. Did you hear any noise on the mentioned nights?

Hi Hazel,

Should have mentioned it earlier, but on Monday night, Tuesday night and tonight (Wednesday) we have been erecting overhead gantries on the A45 Stonebridge Highways during road closures.

We were not expecting it to be noisy operations, but our night supervisor did report that between 10pm and midnight there was some clanging sound as they fitted the holding down bolts. Tonight will be the last night in this area.

Later in October we will be carrying out a similar exercise on the A46 northbound approaching Stivichall roundabout.

Kind regards

Alan

Remembrance Services on Sunday 8th November

11am at the War Memorial Park
Annual Remembrance Services and Parade

3pm at London Road Cemetery
Civilian Communal Grave Service followed by a short service at the graves of the seven bomb disposal men who were killed on Whitley Common on 18/10/1940.

Coventry was the first city of the war to hold a mass funeral. For photos and explanation click Historic Coventry

Historic Street set for Facelift

Coventry FabLab

Read more ..

Dates for your Diary
Friday 23rd October 2pm to 4pm - Cheylesmore Good Neighbours will be having a Talk on Nigeria by Jafaar Gambo, which will take place at Quinton Park Baptist Church Hall – (no religious connection)

Saturday 24th October - Sowe Valley Whitley Grove Woods Group tidy-up day. Meet at the end of the tarmac "road" on Folly Lane playing field near the entrance to the wood at 10am. They can provide bags, gloves and litter pickers. For more information email juderobins@hotmail.com or phone 024 7630 4341

Wednesday 27 October - One Big Thing - Thousands of people across Coventry will be getting active. The day aims to get as many people as possible – no matter what their age or level of fitness - doing something active, either collectively or individually, to create a united, healthy and energetic city. Read more ..

Now until 26th February 2016 Monday to Thursday, 10am until 3pm - African Heritage Exhibition, The Highlife Centre, Coventry Point, 5th Floor, CV1 1EA. Read more ..

And Finally …… Can you name all the areas of Coventry? Take the Coventry Telegraph Quiz

Useful Links and Phone Numbers.
Age UK Coventry - Trusted Traders Scheme
Blood test locations to download a document listing the locations
Cheylesmore Parking Scheme Email: parkingenforcement@coventry.gov.uk
Community Activity Directory
Disposal of Large or Bulky items
European Health Insurance Card
General Online Safety Tips & Advice
Government Services
Report Fly Tipping
Report Graffiti
Report a Missed Bin
Report a Pothole
Report a Street Light Fault
Road Works
Scams & Warnings

Parking Enforcement phone numbers
Misuse of a visitor pass - 024 7683 4367
Not sure a car has a permit 024 7683 4367
Change virtual visitors pass registration number - 0345 520 7007
Buy a new permit virtual & paper - 0345 520 7007
Query the status of a PCN (Penalty Charge Notices) - 024 7683 3400

Roger & Hazel secretaries - 024 7683 1101

Residents' Update: Sunday 18th October 2015

Team Cheylesmore

Residents' Update:
Sunday 18th October 2015