BBC LOOK INTO HOLES

Whilst the Con-Dems talk about protecting front line services the BBC asked Derby and Derbyshire Councils about their road maintenance budgets for next year. The answer was over £1,600,000 will be cut from their budgets. These cuts are despite surveys showing that road maintenance is one of the highest priorities for the public.
My tip is that Erewash folk shouldn't take this lying down. If there is a bad bit of road near you keep complaining officially, until it gets fixed. Don't let Tories claim they are more efficient when they are clearly just less effective.

WEST PARK GRUMBLES



WEST PARK LEISURE



At a recent Erewash Council "Executive" meeting they were patting themselves on the back about the number of complaints they had received. Apart from the complexities of the on-line complaints system, which is hard to fathom at the best of times. The smug comments that came from Councillors contrasted starkly with a tale told to me by a parent, whose offspring had been swimming at West Park, Long Eaton. His ten year old, after putting over £1 in a vending machine, making a selection and not getting what they wanted was encouraged by the father to trot up to the desk for assistance. The machines are nothing to do with us was the message. Dad intervened that can't be right he queried. You'll have to ring "the Company" he was told. Who do I complain to he said getting a little peeved. Her, said a member of staff, pointing to another member of staff, or the Manager he was told. In the end he went away without officially complaining and his child, after pressing a few more buttons, managed to get a different product. (A bit like voting Lib-Dem and getting Tory.)



The result was a very unhappy customer who was still seething about the treatment he had received over a week later. A bit of diplomacy could have won further custom. Is is right that children who lose money are told to phone a vending machine company to get help with a faulty machine? What a way to run a Leisure Centre, come back Mr Brittas all is forgiven.

P.S. Sometime when you've got half an hour to spare, log on to the Council's Web-Site and try to find the Council's on-line complaints form. What fun!

ON THE TRAIL

I went on a cycle ride up the Nutbrook Trail from Long Eaton to Shipley Park. The Nutbrook trail was a project completed last time Labour had a majority on Erewash Council. It is now part of the national cycle network. Some of it has been upgraded by British Waterways but much of it needs further work. Lots of puddles and mire particularly along the bit in Amber Valley District Council's area.

We had a positive attitude when in control of Erewash and made significant improvements along the canal side using the Erewash Groundwork Trust to design and implement a long lasting ecological improvement along the Erewash Canal.



WORK PROGRESSING ON PASTURE LOCK

 I would like to see more spurs to allow users alternative routes thereby introducing greater variety along the trail.

Cycling merrily along I first got chased by a Border Collie, then a Boxer dog and finally snapped at by an Aberdeen Terrier. Fortunately the Aberdeen was restrained by the owner otherwise a nasty nip seemed to be in the offing. What is it with these hounds? Aren't they getting enough food or is it they just can't resist my bony ankles?

  

CHURCH FARM OCKBROOK





CHURCH FARM OCKBROOK



Not much progress is being made over saving the listed building known as Church Farm at Ockbrook. Erewash Borough Council seem to have a hands off approach to heritage, except when someone else is paying. It's about time they made progress to save this building before it is too late. Already it has suffered unauthorised alterations and weather damage. Come on Erewash save our heritage.