Jubilee Park
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This is the Park between Buckingham Drive and the Black brook.
It meets many needs but has been neglected in the past.
Perhaps exemplifying this, it lacked a name until the Council decided to
mark the Queen's Jubilee by naming a park in commemoration.
At the time, they didn't even bother to indicate this with a sign.
Name signs went up for the first time.
There were unlit footpaths, footpaths that became waterlogged or little
lakes, there is a litter problem, some inappropriate shrubbery and a small
problem with vandals. Added to this there was little or no public
consultation.
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Over the last five years Council officers have been asked to consult on all parks improvements.
There has been vigourous, but helpful, feedback on the plans.
In fact the discussions have been so thorough that the plans have been delayed considerably. Although not all residents and young people have identical needs or desired, you wouldn't expect that), we believe we have reached a good compromise on plans which should be contracted soon.
The proposed Gazebo was controversial and therefore abandoned.
Work has now begun on the refurbishment.
Traffic Hazards at Knightthorpe Road
In October 1999 a little girl, Rosie Bailey, was knocked down and killed whilst walking from the church hall
home to Browning Road.
The tragedy shocked the whole community.
A huge petition was handed in to the County and Borough Councils asking for traffic calming or a crossing.
The Borough immediately agreed to a Zebra Crossing.
However, as 'highway authority', the County said we should thing of a bigger scheme costing £56,000,
but at the same time said it was not within their priority to pay for it. After a lon g struggle I persuadsed County to
prioritise the area with the resulting scheme we have today.
Traffic Hazards at Burleigh College/DeLisle on Thorpe Hill
I have have worked with schools to persuade County to put in extra safety features here.
The 'Ville' Shopping Centre at Wordsworth Road
A few years ago I persuaded the housing department to improve the shopping centre which received a
substantial upgrade. And shortly after the flats
above the shops were refurbish, with secure doors.
The objective is to make the shops more attractive to customers and improve the environment so that people
are happier to shop there.
A thriving local shopping centre is a key element of a good community, but I am keen not to see disruptive behaviour
coming back to this area.
Other matters in the Poet's Area
Larkin Lane
After a long battle, I have persuaded the Borough Council to do something permanent to
lift the blight on the land contained by Wordsworth, Browning and Tennyson Roads.
As a result bungalows for the elderly have been built and named Larking Lane, after the Poet Philip Larkin.
A number of badly needed houses are to be built on the land, partly by creating an entrance where No 17 stands currently. Contact me for latest details.
Play-area, Wordsworth Road
If you live on Wordsworth Road, you'll probably remember the Council suggested that it could be used for a
small playground. After writing to everyone on the road and talking to residents most of you felt it was not
the right place. It will therefore remain as a grassed area for the moment.
Refurbishment of Council owned dwellings
All council housing is being brought up to the Government's "Decent Homes" standard.
This includes new windows. Please contact me if you feel your home has been missed.
Thorpe Acre 2000
This was an exciting project to celebrate the Millennium with a waymarking scheme comprising
a "Millennium Mosaic" fingerposts, planting, wildlife interpreation boards and sculptures.
See Thorpe Acre 2000