Communication breakdown?

The following is the text from an email sent on 22 December 2010 to Alec Shelbrooke MP, and copied to Councillor Golton -

We have been asked to write a piece for the Rothwell and District Record by way of an update …

But as 2010 draws to a close, the only thing I have to say is that exactly 6 years after Brian and Walker met with ‘senior’ council officers, where they confirmed that there actually was a problem with speeding along the A642/A639 (WOW it only took them a year to work it out!), we now have a greater volume of high speed traffic and greater numbers of speeding night-time HGV vehicles than we did when the problem was ‘serious’, and nobody elected to serve the community gives a damn!

Yes we have flashing ‘slow down’ signs (what a waste of money), and we have the occasional mobile speed camera, which will no doubt be one of the first things to go in the ludicrous cuts, but

.. we now have a greater volume of high speed traffic and greater numbers of speeding night-time HGV vehicles than we did when the problem was ‘serious’.

I can add that the mobile speed camera does result on a reduction in speed, some of it just in time, but the lack of joined up thinking continues to baffle sensible thinking folk –

- As the van is only there occasionally does that mean that it Is OK to speed 99% of the time?

- If a mobile speed camera results in a reduction in speeding, why not stick a speed camera up? Or even simpler, just park an empty ‘marked-up’ van there!

It would be nice not to have to dwell on the ignorance, contempt, and arrogance shown by those in the council with regard to such matters as Planning, Highways, and Environmental directives already in place to protect communities, and to be able to include something positive.

if a reply is ever received it will be posted!

End of year report

Seasons Greetings to all LAWRRAG supporters

2010 draws to a close with more traffic, higher speeds, and a greater number of HGV vehicles both day and night, so a massive Well Done! to those elected to SERVE the community.

Looking for a career change New Year's Resolution - Get a job where there's no such thing as 'RESULTS' - become a Councillor.

Mobile speed camera action!

The mobile speed camera lay-by on Leeds Hill is at last being used. Who decides when it is used is not known, and whether it is only mointoring traffic in one direction is also not known. Nobody has told us anything about it.

When the van is in place it does have an impact upon traffic speeds, vehicles can be seen decelerating rapidly when the drivers realise that the van is there. Perhaps this could be a solution in itself - buy a cheap van, mark it up as a Police van, and just leave it parked there all day?

It is to be hoped that the van is used at times other than those witnessed by the writer, one Friday evening around 6.30pm, and one Monday evening around 8.30pm, when the traffic volumes, and overall problem is lessened. Time will tell, if monitoring at these times will lead the police to claim that there isn't really a problem ............ as they have done in the past.

Invitation from the Rothwell Record

In response to the following query sent by the writer to the Rothwell Record:

It occurred to me that over 3 months have gone by since the ‘lay-by’ issue was raised. Just a thought - as a follow up it would be good to find out from Stewart Golton how often the police have used the lay-by, what the results have been, and what a worthwhile investment it has all been - I think we all know the answer! The term ‘as much use as a chocolate fire guard’ springs to mind (take your pick as to what I’m referring to!).

The deputy editor replied:

I have chased this issue up today but am unable to get hold of Stewart at the present time. I will keep trying but in the meantime do you have anything to add? What do the members of Lawrrag think? (I can guess!) Would anyone be happy to comment or maybe write a letter (name and address can be withheld!)

This is good opportunity to keep matters in the public eye and, unlike our emails, the Rothwell Record is read by the local councillors.

We will make mention of the support from Alec Shelbrooke MP, and it would be beneficial to have the opinions of other supporters, even if these are only 'one-liners'. Please note that names and addresses can be withheld.

This is a great opportunity to say how you feel about the speeding, the HGV traffic, the councillors involvement, etc etc. Please consider giving an opinion, no matter how short, and email it to lawrrag@googlemail.com by Tuesday 17th August.

Until the councillors accept that there are or more than a handful of people complaining it remains an uphill battle.

Another development warning!

(Double click on image to read text)

With apologies to the Rothwell Record, the above article appeared in the August 2010 issue.

The article reports that 555 acres of land is up for sale on our side of the M62, suitable for residential, commercial, or leisure purposes. This land has been on the market before and the huge development then proposed for the site was rejected following substantial opposition.

Having failed once you can rest assured that significant expenditure, and lobbying, will now be going into trying to secure planning consent.

Anyone feeling really strongly about this land going for development should lobby their councillors, and MP. LAWRRAG is about 'traffic', and in this respect the potential traffic impact upon the area would be massive.

It might be considered far too early in the day to be getting concerned about this 555 acres being developed, but the issue is that the more we let the smaller developments within the area go through unchallenged, then the harder it is for any action to be taken about increase car, or HGV volumes, when something like this starts to get off the ground.

The situation is significantly worse than it was 6 years ago, and we've seen how concerned the councillors and the council are about it!