No its not a rodent problem but a new action group set up to do something about traffic in Flitton and Greenfield. Residents Against Traffic Speed RATS are lobbying for measures to stop these villages being used as a "rat run", and in particular to....
• Work to reduce excessive speed of HGV’s (especially through the night)
• Achieve traffic calming measures through the village
• Lobby to have the road resurfaced
They are organising a petition/survey which I will be distributing along with the rest of the Parish Council next week. Traffic has been one of the main issues I have been keen to do something about and having the evidence of the impact it is having locally is so important when arguing the case for something to be done. So please when you get the petition make sure you make you make your feelings known.
For more info on RATS contact me and I will put you in touch with one of the organisers or better still follow their progress on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GreenfieldRATS
or
Create your own report on www.Fixmystreet.com
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Flitwick Town Council
I attended the Town Council Annual Meeting last week. It was well attended with a number of speakers notably from the Flitwick at the Crossroads Group well represented. There are a number of major changes in the pipeline for Flitwick and it is evident that as many people wanted to have a say.
The Town Council seem to have come to an understanding with Mid Beds District Coucnil - now Central Bedfordshire for the location of the new Leisure Centre (adjacent to the present one) with the football pitches moving to the land opposite the One O One Garage next to the A507. At the same time the Town Council will gain land on Maulden Road for a new Burial Ground and Country Park. This raised many questions - such as what the effect of locating all the football pitches (not just those adjacent to the current leisure centre) on the edge of town would be - potentially taking away provision for games areas from the middle of town; also the suitability of the land off Maulden Road either for Burials or for a Country Park was questioned.
The new Town Centre Development raises lots of questions. How much will it be shaped by a vision to benefit people in Flitwick and how much will be it be a magnet for more cars, congestion and parking problems. The prospect of a larger Tescos and a new and enlarged railway station will be welcomed by many but the side effects of increased traffic could be horrific.
I believe that a new vision for Flitwick is needed which puts people first. This would need to focus on the local environment requiring new developments to demonstrate how they are improving the environment rather than further degrading it. Protecting and increasing green space in the town is important as is making the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. A more joined up public transport system linking buses and trains with much better promotion and information would help ease the congestion. Fltiwick also needs to take greater pride in its heritage. One speaker raised the issue of Flitwick Mill, which I am happy to say I voted against being given planning permission as a house, when it came before a planning committee earlier in the year. However it is still vulnerable without funding and action to ensure that the current owner takes greater care of this important local landmark.
A new vision for Flitwick could be the route to levering in further funding for the Town, given the current move by Central Government to increase funding for low Carbon industries. Leighton Buzzard has recently won just over £1 Million in funding to become a "Cycling Town". I myself have been successful in helping to secure funding for a Community Carbon Reduction project in Flitton and Greenfield. A similar initiative to "Green" Flitwick could help to put the town on the map, improve the local environment, lever in funding and create new jobs.
The Town Council seem to have come to an understanding with Mid Beds District Coucnil - now Central Bedfordshire for the location of the new Leisure Centre (adjacent to the present one) with the football pitches moving to the land opposite the One O One Garage next to the A507. At the same time the Town Council will gain land on Maulden Road for a new Burial Ground and Country Park. This raised many questions - such as what the effect of locating all the football pitches (not just those adjacent to the current leisure centre) on the edge of town would be - potentially taking away provision for games areas from the middle of town; also the suitability of the land off Maulden Road either for Burials or for a Country Park was questioned.
The new Town Centre Development raises lots of questions. How much will it be shaped by a vision to benefit people in Flitwick and how much will be it be a magnet for more cars, congestion and parking problems. The prospect of a larger Tescos and a new and enlarged railway station will be welcomed by many but the side effects of increased traffic could be horrific.
I believe that a new vision for Flitwick is needed which puts people first. This would need to focus on the local environment requiring new developments to demonstrate how they are improving the environment rather than further degrading it. Protecting and increasing green space in the town is important as is making the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. A more joined up public transport system linking buses and trains with much better promotion and information would help ease the congestion. Fltiwick also needs to take greater pride in its heritage. One speaker raised the issue of Flitwick Mill, which I am happy to say I voted against being given planning permission as a house, when it came before a planning committee earlier in the year. However it is still vulnerable without funding and action to ensure that the current owner takes greater care of this important local landmark.
A new vision for Flitwick could be the route to levering in further funding for the Town, given the current move by Central Government to increase funding for low Carbon industries. Leighton Buzzard has recently won just over £1 Million in funding to become a "Cycling Town". I myself have been successful in helping to secure funding for a Community Carbon Reduction project in Flitton and Greenfield. A similar initiative to "Green" Flitwick could help to put the town on the map, improve the local environment, lever in funding and create new jobs.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Central Beds and Council tax
What was the aim of merging Beds County Council, Mid Beds and South Beds? To save costs, improve services and lower Council tax I hear you cry. Well the latter fell at the first hurdle with Central Beds Shadow Council setting a budget leading to a 2.5% increase for the residents of Central Bedfordshire from April.
I was quite amazed to see the proposal from the Conservatives supported wholeheartedly by the Libdem and Labour groups. It was left to the Greens (yes there are two of us now!) and Independents to speak up for the Pensioners (who had presented a petition and were waving placards outside)and others hoping for a decrease not an increase. We were allowed a brief statement each pointing out that the tax would exceed inflation and that the other Unitary - Bedford Borough was introducing only a 0.9% increase. But then the debate was cut short and a vote hastily called with Conservatives, Libdem and Labour voting together in perfect harmony.
More time was given earlier in the proceedings as to whether Councillors mileage allowance should be higher for larger cars. The Conservatives tabled a late amendment to the proposal on the agenda to change a flat rate of mileage allowance to a rate which increased dramatically from around 42 p/mile for small cars to over 58 p/mile for cars over 1200 cc. I pointed out that this would prove a disincentive for the use of smaller more efficient cars and was hardly setting a good example to others in terms of reducing Carbon emissions. There was even dissent in the Tory ranks but the vast majority were keen to point out the huge costs of running their gas guzzlers.
One of the Libdems quipped that you don't need to be a Green to champion green measures. I agree with this, but I didnt see anyone else standing up for the Green principles of living within your means - either financially or environmentally.
I was quite amazed to see the proposal from the Conservatives supported wholeheartedly by the Libdem and Labour groups. It was left to the Greens (yes there are two of us now!) and Independents to speak up for the Pensioners (who had presented a petition and were waving placards outside)and others hoping for a decrease not an increase. We were allowed a brief statement each pointing out that the tax would exceed inflation and that the other Unitary - Bedford Borough was introducing only a 0.9% increase. But then the debate was cut short and a vote hastily called with Conservatives, Libdem and Labour voting together in perfect harmony.
More time was given earlier in the proceedings as to whether Councillors mileage allowance should be higher for larger cars. The Conservatives tabled a late amendment to the proposal on the agenda to change a flat rate of mileage allowance to a rate which increased dramatically from around 42 p/mile for small cars to over 58 p/mile for cars over 1200 cc. I pointed out that this would prove a disincentive for the use of smaller more efficient cars and was hardly setting a good example to others in terms of reducing Carbon emissions. There was even dissent in the Tory ranks but the vast majority were keen to point out the huge costs of running their gas guzzlers.
One of the Libdems quipped that you don't need to be a Green to champion green measures. I agree with this, but I didnt see anyone else standing up for the Green principles of living within your means - either financially or environmentally.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Big Green Challenge for Flitton and Greenfield
The presentation given at the recent meeting is displayed here
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Ideas for reducing Carbon emissions
Here's a list of the ideas which were generated at the Big Green Challenge meeting.
Local wind turbine – possibly near Industrial estate
Switch off pubic lighting after 11pm
Ban Christmas lights
Ban patio heaters
Improve building insulation – homes and local community buildings
Wind power and solar power for church hall
Encourage walking and cycling
Discourage car use – school run; provide alternatives
Local green waste recycling
Local natural waste water treatment – use grey water for agriculture (and household0
Buy local or British produce whenever possible; sell produce from local allotments
Walking bus for school
Improve paths and pavements
Encourage householders to have solar powered external lighting
Encourage switching off of lights and turning heating down and closing curtains, wear woolly jumpers
Reduce traffic
Encourage car sharing – via local web site and school
Better public transport – more info and timetables
Return of village store and post office – community scheme in church hall?
More use of allotments
Unplug transformers and other standby equipment
Restore Flitwick Mill to generate electricity
Recycle batteries
Solar panel buying club
Collect cooking oil
Low energy light bulb scheme
Encourage council to convert refuse lorries from diesel to veg oil
Food waste collection
Enforce 30 mph speed limitEncourage home working and or provide local base for homeworkers e.g. Church Hall
Local timezone - Change time of getting up
Plant trees – e.g. along A507 to also reduce noise; encrouage more in gardens; seek sponsorship
Publicity re carbon footprints
Geothermal project for village
More information on energy efficient appliances
Wood burning stoves and fires – using local wood
Set up local network of energy volunteers or wardens or advisers on neighbourhood basis
Bulk purchase of energy saving appliances
Free order/collection of regular items – papers/milk
Promote public transport
Biodiesel project/ storage facility
Education
Mirrors to reflect sun into space – increase albedo
Any comments or additional ideas welcome......
Local wind turbine – possibly near Industrial estate
Switch off pubic lighting after 11pm
Ban Christmas lights
Ban patio heaters
Improve building insulation – homes and local community buildings
Wind power and solar power for church hall
Encourage walking and cycling
Discourage car use – school run; provide alternatives
Local green waste recycling
Local natural waste water treatment – use grey water for agriculture (and household0
Buy local or British produce whenever possible; sell produce from local allotments
Walking bus for school
Improve paths and pavements
Encourage householders to have solar powered external lighting
Encourage switching off of lights and turning heating down and closing curtains, wear woolly jumpers
Reduce traffic
Encourage car sharing – via local web site and school
Better public transport – more info and timetables
Return of village store and post office – community scheme in church hall?
More use of allotments
Unplug transformers and other standby equipment
Restore Flitwick Mill to generate electricity
Recycle batteries
Solar panel buying club
Collect cooking oil
Low energy light bulb scheme
Encourage council to convert refuse lorries from diesel to veg oil
Food waste collection
Enforce 30 mph speed limitEncourage home working and or provide local base for homeworkers e.g. Church Hall
Local timezone - Change time of getting up
Plant trees – e.g. along A507 to also reduce noise; encrouage more in gardens; seek sponsorship
Publicity re carbon footprints
Geothermal project for village
More information on energy efficient appliances
Wood burning stoves and fires – using local wood
Set up local network of energy volunteers or wardens or advisers on neighbourhood basis
Bulk purchase of energy saving appliances
Free order/collection of regular items – papers/milk
Promote public transport
Biodiesel project/ storage facility
Education
Mirrors to reflect sun into space – increase albedo
Any comments or additional ideas welcome......
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Big Green Challenge Meeting
The meeting to develop a proposal to reduce carbon emissions in Flitton and Greenfield Parish was a huge success. More than 50 ideas for saving Carbon were generated. The task now is to take some of the more innovative ideas and blend them with more standard approaches to demonstrate how we can achieve 60% savings or more.
It is not too late to become involved. If you are keen to take part then just let me know. Regardless of what happens with the Big Green Challenge there was enough enthusiasm at this evening’s meeting to suggest that we are on the way to a carbon reduction project for the Parish.
It is not too late to become involved. If you are keen to take part then just let me know. Regardless of what happens with the Big Green Challenge there was enough enthusiasm at this evening’s meeting to suggest that we are on the way to a carbon reduction project for the Parish.
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Big Green Challenge
I am organising a meeting for the 13th February at 7.30 pm in Flitton Church Hall. This is to see what interest there is in a community project to reduce our Carbon emissions. The Big Green Challenge is a £1 million fund offered by NESTA to encourage innovative ideas for communities to reduce Carbon emissions by 60%.
I believe it could provide all sorts of benefits to our local villages at the same time as reducing emissions. For example we could look for funding for better footpaths, new cycleways, traffic calming measures, better bus services which would reduce our dependence on the car and encourage more walking and cycling. We could also seek funding for improvements to heating and power for our community facilities such as the Church Hall, Church, Village Hall and School. We could group together to obtain discounts on low energy light bulbs, more efficient heating systems, insulation, solar panels and so on.
The idea of the Challenge to come up with new ideas or to apply existing ideas in new ways. I am hoping that the meeting will generate sufficient ideas and interest for us to make an application to the Challenge in time for the deadline at the end of February.
If you are not able to make it to the meeting please contact me with your ideas and support. I need people to help deliver leaflets and also help with the application process. For more info please contact me on 01525 862329 or 0780 9873124 or email me on garethe@fish.co.uk
I believe it could provide all sorts of benefits to our local villages at the same time as reducing emissions. For example we could look for funding for better footpaths, new cycleways, traffic calming measures, better bus services which would reduce our dependence on the car and encourage more walking and cycling. We could also seek funding for improvements to heating and power for our community facilities such as the Church Hall, Church, Village Hall and School. We could group together to obtain discounts on low energy light bulbs, more efficient heating systems, insulation, solar panels and so on.
The idea of the Challenge to come up with new ideas or to apply existing ideas in new ways. I am hoping that the meeting will generate sufficient ideas and interest for us to make an application to the Challenge in time for the deadline at the end of February.
If you are not able to make it to the meeting please contact me with your ideas and support. I need people to help deliver leaflets and also help with the application process. For more info please contact me on 01525 862329 or 0780 9873124 or email me on garethe@fish.co.uk
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