Enquiries

Thatcham Avenue roads and paths

Question:

When I wrote back in October I was informed that it was hoped to have the roads and paths in Thatcham Avenue made up by January.  There seems to be no sign of this occurring and as this part of the development has been completed for nearly twelve months it would be appreciated if we had decent paths to walk on.  I realise that Thatcham Avenue is going to be a long road but surely the first part can be completed.

The other issue is the parking in that road, particularly on the bottom roundabout by Woodvale.  Cars park right on the roundabout which makes it difficult to see up the road as to whether vehicles are coming down.  Can something be done to stop this parking.  I realise that as the road has not been adopted nothing can be done regards cars parked further up the road although I do feel something should be said to the person who parks on their front garden if the development is not to give the appearance of a run down area.   People have paid good money for their properties and I am sure they do not wish to see things such as this type of parking and rubbish bins left out side on the walk way all week!!

I would be pleased to receive your comments

Gill French

Answer:

Our contractors are due to return a priced schedule of works for items such as footpaths, etc next week. We have all sorts of works to carry out including play areas, street lighting, etc which sadly  will not happen overnight it will take a certain amout of time

We have a parking enforcement company operating - a call to them will bring them out to take action on badly parked cars/vehicles - we will make them further aware of the situation .

We have advised contractors not to park in front of residents houses. signs were put up yesterday and here again our  cps enforcement are now aware of this situation and can act on persistent offenders.

Electronic bollard

Question:

Is the Bridge, by matalan, available for use other then the buses? The bollard hasn't been up for about 3-4 weeks and I didn't know whether cars were allowed to go through.  

Kayleigh Marshall

Answer:

I have checked with our project manager...... the electronic bollard is damaged - and should not be used by motor vehicles even though some are taking the chance at the moment - it will be repaired.

Lorries deliver goods to Valley Gardens

Question: 

I am emailing regarding my concerns regarding the number of large lorries that are using Valley Gardens to deliver goods to the top of the road where the developers are building.

These lorries are so large that there is nowhere for them to turn at the top of the road and therefore they have to reverse all the way back down as far as Lyneham Drive - where they reverse and turn (in front of my house)

Last week a driver of a reversed Artic lorry was so busy filling in his paperwork that he did not see me trying to get out of my driveway.  After waiting five minutes I had to drive round him mounting the pavement to get through.

My worries are that an accident will occur before too long - the road is not designed for this heavy traffic use.  As the weather gets warmer more parents and children will be outside. I have a toddler and 6 months old baby and am always out walking and using the toddler park.

Is there any other route that these lorries can deliver the building supplies?

Andrea Reynolds

Answer: 

I have discussed matters with the Project Manager - there is really little to be done at this time as developers  are land locked on what is a No Through road.  They’ve also built right up to the road and so have nowhere else to go!

They are due to be offsite in September 2008.  Of course, safety is stressed and resident awareness remains essential.  Our Project Manager will - as with all movements on site - monitor things as closely as he possibly can.

Anything further - do contact us.

Thatcham Avenue Lights

Question

Please could you inform us as to when the lights along the top end of the inhabited area of Thatcham Avenue will be turned on?  Whilst I understand that these kinds of installations are done in stages, the houses that are inhabited have struggled with an unlit street for months now - not only a health and safety hazard but, I’m sure a security risk too!

I would also like to re-iterate Gill French's comments with regards to the person parking on the front garden.  Whilst you mention the parking enforcement company operating within the area, it still continues. This kind of thoughtless driving shows a total disregard for the area.  The front garden looks a disgrace, and I wonder how many people have been put off purchasing in Kingsway as they pull into the Sales Office opposite!

Answer

Lights are part of a supplementary contract currently being tendered and the process of getting County Council approval can take some time - we are working on it!

With regard to the second issue it is impossible for the Kingsway project team to stop people parking on their own land.  If discussions between the person concerned and their neighbours fail there may be a case for approaching the developer to find out whether action might be taken to ensure the person concerned is not breaching any rights within the deed of sale.