NEW STORE FOR SANDIACRE

Tonight Erewash Planning Committee granted Planning Consent for a Supermarket, Shops and Offices to be built on a site off Station Road, Sandiacre. I was pleased with the decision because I think Sandiacre needs more jobs, better shopping facilities and this application, if implemented, could provide both. It should also raise interest in Sandiacre among other popular retailers.





Many residents came to express their views, mainly against the proposals. However some braved jeers to put forward counter arguments. I believe the right decision was reached following a good debate.

GETTING THE HUMP

WELLINGTON STREET
One of the offending humps.

A local resident has written to Derbyshire County Council about the shape three of the road humps on Wellington Street, Long Eaton. Ever since they were put in there have been numerous attempts to re-profile them following complaints from drivers. The hump pictured shows how vehicles are grounding on the landing side. I've written supporting the resident's complaints and hopefully this time the Highway Engineers will get it right and stop giving drivers the hump.  

DERBY LOUD AND PROUD

Cheryl Pidgeon and Margaret Griffiths at the Derby Rally

The Bombardier Rally in Derby was attended by about six thousand people from across the Political spectrum calling for the Government to think again. Both Trade Unions and Management were represented at the Rally all expressing shock and anger at the Government's decision. Not awarding the Thamelink contract to Bombardier could mean the death of train building in Derby. Thousands of local jobs have been put in jeopardy. There was anger but also determination to continue the fight to save local jobs and preserve Train manufacture in the area. A great Rally, a great cause, the fight must go on.

FOX COVERT PROGRESS

ONE OF THE REPAIRED SECTIONS

I have managed to generate a few repairs to the walk ways through the Fox Covert Nature Reserve on West Park, Long Eaton. There is still more work needs doing and I have made the Council aware of the problem areas, including some litter hot spots. The "regular" inspections mentioned in a missive from the Council, don't appear to be very thorough, still a bit of progress is better than none.

FOX COVERT, WEST PARK

LITTER AT FOX COVERT

Today I took the dog for a walk  around West Park including the Fox Covert Nature Reserve. Tarn the hairy hound mistakenly thought she could walk on Duck Weed. She was a bit sodden but crawled out of the Harrington Drain and frisked around in doggy delight after her minor misadventure.

A couple of weeks ago I put in a complaint to Erewash about the state of some of the steps and board walks that provide access around the Nature Reserve.  However there has been no action in response to my complaint and if anything it's got worse. In a sniffy letter I was told that Wardens regularly patrolled the area. In two spots people have littered the place badly, including broken glass, presumably the "regular inspection" missed these two areas. Another complaint has gone in.(Sigh) 

CHURCH FARM RESTORATION

The new owner of Church Farm, Ockbrook, has told me that he is fully committed to turning the building into a family home.

He already has builders tidying up the place ready for its transformation. This Grade 11 listed building has been empty for about 30 odd years and I was really concerned about its future. Now it looks like it will have a new lease of life and be maintained in a manner befitting such a setting right next to All Saints' Church.



TIMBER FRAMED CHURCH FARM



I was a bit annoyed about the lack of a proactive role played by Erewash B.C. in its preservation. Recently following my taking up the issue the Ockbrook and Borrowash Historical Society launched a petition to pressurise Erewash into action. Despite the apparent lack of concern shown by the Council and the absence of any meaningful reply to my complaints or the Historical Societies petition it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck to the new owner of Church Farm!

ERE...WASHED UP!



BATH STREET, ILKESTON



STATION ROAD, SANDIACRE



The new Erewash economic development strategy is now stuck in limbo. The old one is out of date and the Tories can't agree on a new one. As usual dithering is their most developed attribute. According to their published plans the new strategy was due to be put before the Council Executive this month following a period of consultation. So far nothing has materialised. With Erewash suffering high levels of unemployment and with acres of derelict land crying out to be brought back into use, Tory Erewash just haven't a clue. 



IDLE STANTON LAND



So far Erewash Partnership have acted as an economic development fig leaf for Erewash Council to cover up the lack of commitment, staff and financial resources provided directly by the Borough for economic development. However the Partnership has put it's own staff on short time just when local businesses most need support. They are running out of cash and their own survival is at risk if more finance isn't found soon. Meanwhile Erewash are dithering over how to shape the updated economic development strategy. The stumbling blocks are both ideas and resources. Firstly they haven't got a clue and secondly they want someone else to fund everything. Which in this economic climate is just not going to happen. The Borough needs to put substantial funds into the process of positively driving local economic growth, if it really wants to make a difference. The dithering needs to stop and strong action is called for sooner rather than later.





BACK TO COLLEGE



COLLEGE STREET
LONG EATON

 Sometimes you have to question the wisdom of some Council Officials.

College Street, Long Eaton is in a 20 m.p.h zone. The County Council have erected a School warning sign on College Street warning motorists to slow down to..... er 20 m.p.h. when the lights are flashing. A local resident asked me why and I couldn't come up with an answer that was repeatable in front of a gentleman.
This silly sign did remind me of one solution an enterprising Company has come up with to raise awareness of school children lurking about. It was bollards shaped like children. To me they were more reminiscent of Midwitch Cuckoos. I drove by some during the hours of darkness in a country village, they looked quite spooky, staring down the road and standing to attention. One was a bit like a young David Cameron which was even spookier. I think they should go back to the drawing board before they get accused of traumatising Drivers.

Meanwhile I must think of a clean answer to why the DCC has put up a sign in the 20 m.p.h. zone saying slow down to 20 m.p.h. whilst the lights are flashing. I'll ponder on it.

HOWARD AND MARINA




SHARDLOW MARINA

 The site of the old Stanton Ironworks is crying out for reclamation and development. With a canal, ponds and river near the site water borne leisure activities would bring pleasure, leisure and jobs to the area. The Nutbrook Trail gives ready access for cyclists and walkers and more trails could be added. Preserving and enhancing habitats for wildlife should be a priority.

Public pressure needs to be applied to get Erewash and Derbyshire Councils to get their act together now to make things happen instead of standing idly by.





A "Stanton" Marina could kick start a leisure based revival of the site, bringing tourism and improving the environment into the bargain. Other local facilities like Shardlow and Sawley Marinas show how popular water based activities are, without putting undue pressure on the local road system. No to another suburban desert and yes to sensitive, sustainable and wildlife friendly restoration of the site should be the order of the day.

SAWLEY BY ELECTION

CHERYL PIDGEON

Cheryl Pidgeon the Labour Candidate won the Sawley By-Election. The Election had been called following the sad death of the long serving and popular Bill Camm. It was a very active and well fought campaign by Tories, Liberal Democrats and Labour. Typically the Lib-Dems made it a bit personal with leaflets denigrating the Labour Candidate. The Tories panicked at the last minute with a leaflet saying Cheryl would do a great job for the Unions but not for Sawley, which owed rather more to imagination than fact. Jessica Lee M.P. had her name on the leaflet along side that of Chris Corbett the Tory Candidate. However despite the cowardly antics of the opposition hard work pulled Cheryl through and she is now the County Councillor for Sawley.

Following the count Cheryl made a speech starting with a glowing tribute to Bill Camm and vowing to work hard for Sawley and Wilsthorpe residents.  Bill Camm is a hard act to follow but Cheryl is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Well done Cheryl!

A STICKY PROBLEM



LIME GROVE LONG EATON

 Lime Trees are a sticky problem at this time of year for the residents of the Lime Grove area of Long Eaton. The trees are great to look at, but don't get the attention they deserve, which makes the residue which drips on to cars even more of a pain. Also some residents live in semi-darkness due to the trees being so close to the houses. The trees need regular pruning but the County Council who are responsible for the trees don't attend to them often enough. To add insult to injury Erewash Borough Council, who are responsible for street cleaning, just aren't doing the job thoroughly. The street gullies are full of detritus from the trees. Following a complaint from me Erewash have been playing catchup in the area and today many bagfuls of twigs and rotting leaves have been gathered up. More needs doing and I hope the job will be done properly at last.

I have also asked Derbyshire County Council to prune the trees more regularly which could help minimise to problem. I like the trees but don't like the mess they cause.

RISLEY LEANING WALL



BATTLE OF THE BULGE



Having e-mailed a complaint to Erewash Borough Council about a leaning wall at Rising Lea Industrial Park I am still awaiting a response. The wall looks unstable to me and it is adjacent to a footpath which increases my concern about danger to the public. The Councils own standards say they will reply to a query within seven days. So far it has been over eighteen days and still no reply!



Another complaint going in to the Council today. Hope the wall's still staying put.

SANDIACRE SHAME

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.



PLEASE MAKE IT VAN-ISH!

When entering Sandiacre from the Stapleford direction the first impression is one of neglect and dereliction. Shops with paint peeling off and derelict buildings offend the eye. Parked outside one unloved edifice is what looks like an abandoned van which has been stood there for over a year. 

On the other side of Station Road is a substantial building, which once housed "Duncan's Cafe" it is now a glorified pigeon loft. Holes in the roof guarantee weather damage and pigeon droppings mean other vermin will soon infest the property.



SANDIACRE'S BIGGEST PIGEON LOFT



Sadly, after spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on upgrading the street scene Erewash Council have not followed up the investment by the simple expedient of encouraging owners to keep their properties up to scratch. The abandoned vehicle is likely to permanently disfigure the block paving and Erewash just don't seem to care. It's about time they left their cosy Town Halls and took notice of the real world outside. Sandiacre needs an economic boost. It needs further investment and attention. Get weaving Erewash, make Sandiacre a gateway to Erewash to be proud of, not leave it as forlorn forgotten back door.