Residents in Walton Park and Walnut Tree get cut off whenever Wadesmill Lane floods.
Vanessa McPake has got the brook dredged, the grill cleared, and the debris and rubbish removed to prevent future flooding.
Clearing the Brook
Plans Approved for Bedgebury Place, Kents Hill
MK Council has passed the plans for 40 new homes at Bedgebury Place, Kents Hill. Work should start in April with residents arriving in
2015. Discussions with the developers led to a reduction of the number of houses facing onto Tunbridge Grove, and safety improvements to the road, as well as contributions to buses and schools.
Cllr Jenni Ferrans said “This was an example of developer consultation at its best. The developers put on an exhibition and publicised it well, and attended the Parish Council too. They were then very willing to work with us to make the changes that residents wanted. We didn’t get all of them – there is still more tandem parking than we want – but it’s much improved as a result. Well done Bellways!”
Bellways are hoping to start work in August 2014 and complete by November 2015.
Success – a bus on a Sunday
After pressure from the Lib Dem Focus team, the Bedgebury Place developments will pay for the Sunday no 12 bus service to be resumed for two years. The service will start from when the new residents move in, expected to be during summer 2015.
Grit Bin Success – but not yet!
THANK YOU to all the residents who signed our petition to save grit bins. We’ve WON!
Following the LibDem campaign right across Milton Keynes, the Conservatives backed down from their proposal to stop grit bins this week. They have now allocated a small budget next year – but it will have to cover both replacing damaged bins and adding new ones.
Vanessa McPake commented “The budget is not enough, it doesn’t start till April, and it stops after just a year, but at least its something. Now we need to campaign to make sure OUR residents get the bins they urgently need!”
Following residents requests, the Focus team has asked for two more bins – both on steeply sloping roads – one in Canonbury in Monkston Park, and one in Bartholomews Close in Walton Park. The Council have said, again, that we can’t have them at present! Please sign our petitions for these grit bins to let the Council understand how important they are!
Canonbury petition Bartholomews Close petition
If you need grit for roads and footpaths in the meantime, then ask for a bag by contacting us, or MK Council on 01908 252353 or email [email protected]. If you need it for your driveways, it can be bought at local builders merchants.
Tory Council Threatens Transport for the Elderly and Disabled
Community Transport for the elderly and disabled under threat from Conservative cuts
MK’s Conservatives have confirmed their proposal to make huge cuts to the Community Transport service (currently “PlusBus”). Around two thirds of the elderly and disabled users will be excluded from the service.
Although the Council has to make £10M cuts, the Lib Dems have made clear to the Conservatives that they expect the most vulnerable people to be protected from the worst of the cuts.
Cllr Subhan Shafiq said: “This would imprison people in their homes. It’s appalling while the Council continues to waste money.”
Please sign our petition and respond to the consultation to let them know your views! There are two consultations:
Budget Consultation 2014-15 – including a massive cut to the Community Transport budget
Consultation ends 15/2/2014
Future Provision of Adult Social Care and Supported Services Transport – specifically about the Community Transport
Consultation ends 28/2/2014
Making our Paths Safe
The Focus team has been out and about getting dogs mess, leaves and branches removed from our local footpaths. We want all to be safe and not to have to walk in the road.
If you spot any problems in your area do let the Focus team know as we will get it sorted out.
Vanessa McPake and Jenni Ferrans try to walk past the buses in Dunchurch Dale, Walnut Tree and near Maida Vale, Monkston Park
Play Area Campaign Update
Where’s Our Playground? That’s the cry of young children in Walton Grange.
Most of the houses and flats have now been built BUT there is nowhere for younger children to play.
The Lib Dems are demanding that something be done to provide a play area, possibly on the edge of the new development next to Walton Grange. We’ll keep you posted and thanks to those local mums who have started a petition.
Some of the children campaigning for a play area in Walton Grange
Strategic Reserve Area Plans In
The Supplementary Planning Document has been approved and the first detailed planning applications for the strategic reserve area, for Eagle Farm and Glebe Farm have been submitted.
The SPD includes a single carriageway extension to the H10, with Britten Grove acting as a road link but closing the footpath. What do you think?
If you want to know more please contact: Cllr. Jenni Ferrans: [email protected]
Bedgebury Place
The plans for 40 dwellings in Bedgebury Place, Kents Hill are in and are likely to go to the Committee at MK Council in the new year. You can comment on the Council web site and let then know if you want to speak at the meeting.
Thank you to all the local residents who took part in the meetings. The developers now seem to have listened to your views. Your local Lib Dems are much happier with the latest version of the proposals; some of the parking and landscaping issues have been addressed.
For further information contact Jenni Ferrans on [email protected]
Vanessa McPake and Jenni Ferrans discuss the plans for new homes in Bedgebury Place, Kents Hill
Caldecotte Brook
Vanessa McPake, who is a member of the Internal Drainage Board for MK, has got them to dredge Caldecotte Brook and take away the silt too.
After meeting the river engineer she said: “It is essential that we prevent yet more flooding in Walnut Tree so I am delighted the work is going to be done right now”.
Vanessa McPake discussed arrangements with the engineer at the grill in Walnut Tree.