Tanworth in Arden Residents and Neighbourhood Watch Association

A number of residents have contacted the Residents Association to say that they were concerned about safety at places like school bus boarding points along either The Common in Earlswood or Broad Lane in Tanworth.

For the benefit of newcomers there were major campaigns in recent years to reduce the speed limit on both roads to 30 and 40mph respectively.

These new limits were only achieved because of extraordinary pressure being put on the County Council Highways authority (WCC) to assign the relevant funds.  We were originally told that they would not be possible because of lack of funding or there were not sufficient deaths on the road to justify such measures!

Eventually, “the powers-that-be” relented thanks in no small part to the efforts of our then County Councillor Mike Perry.  Times and personnel may have changed but the reasons for the bureaucrats to do nothing have not.

I went through a number of possible options to reduce speed with someone in the Warwickshire County Council Road Safety Group recently.  All have cost implications and the major problem on Broad Lane is that 40 mph down to 20 is a very sudden jump.

1. Current County Councillor John Horner’s suggestion of a part-time Lolly pop person – volunteers would be needed and training, kit etc. 40mph may be a problem
2. Flashing 20 “when lights flash” signs – problem in a 40mph area
3. Physical choke/chicane with “give way” in one direction to slow traffic
4. “Residents Priority” temporary signs – used in Shirley but a B road may be a problem
5. Pelican Crossing – very expensive and not really justified?
6. Park up a fake white van with a black rectangle on back on hard shoulder morning and afternoon to deter speeders.

All of the above have arguments against – not least the cost.  Also, WCC and local residents have long standing reservations about road humps or bumps.

After a lot of consideration my preferred option is a physical build-out of some kind.

At some carefully chosen sites this would slow down traffic – at all times of the day – and help traffic trying to get out side roads like Rushbrook and Arden Leys or Springbrook Lane. It could also be employed on both Earlswood Common and Broad Lane .  The cost would be £5k to £6k each.  The speed on Broad Lane would probably need to come down to 30mph.

I have attached below a photo of a similar arrangement at Bishop’s Itchington in the south of the County.  In other words, WCC is already operating such schemes.

It must be stressed that it is hard to avoid the conclusion that some in the County is most reluctant to employ such a measure in case it is effective – everyone might want one.

I would appreciate the thoughts of concerned residents as soon as possible to me about both the principle and possible locations – copied to Councillor John Horner.  Please consult neighbours to see if they want to support such measures.

If the idea was a success such physical traffic-calming might be applied elsewhere in the parish.

(Source:  Tom Ross)

At the auction held on Monday 17 July in London the 14 empty lock-up garages between Bellfield and Doctor’s Close  sold for £126,000 to an unknown buyer. The guide price was £30,000.

Orbit Housing, who took over responsibility for the former Stratford District Council housing stock from the South Warwickshire Housing Association, have been selling off similar sites all over the County.

Last week’s  Stratford Herald confirms that a clawback clause means SDC may benefit from the sale of  the 19 sites by as much as £1million.  SDC, therefore, stands to make £63,000 from this sale.

Tanworth Parish Council made several approaches through our local District Councillor and our MP to see if the important site – the last open space at the centre of the village – could be secured in the public interest but was rebuffed by Orbit at every attempt.

(Source:  Tom Ross)

The Police advise that there has been a spate of thefts of lead from churches in the West Midlands.

Insomniacs and other residents are asked to keep a look out during the night for people behaving suspiciously in the vicinity of the church and to dial 999 if they believe the theft of roof lead is in progress.

Replacing lead after a theft is an expensive business and insurance does not always cover the full amount of replacement.

(Source:  BBC Midlands Today)

Warwickshire County Council would like to draw the attention of residents to the actions of so called tradesmen who are cold calling, offering to remove moss from roof tiles.

An elderly customer who doesn’t wish to be named has been charged £2000 for this ‘service’. If she didn’t pay cash tshe was told hey would have to charge her more + Vat. They even went back for a tip!

If you see any elderly or vulnerable neighbours with ‘tradesmen’ working at their homes, be nosey! You can do it tactfully. And if in doubt, contact the Police .

(Source: Warwickshire County Council)

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has launched an online tool which has been designed to help residents access information on any new planning applications within their neighbourhoods.

This new tool will send email alerts to anyone who has registered via the Council’s website notifying them of any planning applications which have been registered with the Council and which fall within the selected geographical area.

This new tool will not replace the press and site notices: it is being introduced to supplement the existing arrangements. It will be an additional method of communicating which, it is hoped, will be more reliable and immediate for all those who register.

To register please use the following link:

www.stratford.gov.uk/planalert

(Source:  Stratford District Council)