Foxgrove Path - new homes update

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Following the consultation event held at Greenfield School on 26 February, which was attended by Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan, planning consultants WYG have released details of their proposed design.

They are looking to build 22 two-bedroom houses, 12 three-bedroom houses, one five bedroomed house and a block of 14 flats to the rear of the land furthest from existing properties in Foxgrove Path and Heysham Drive (see layout plan above).

The plans also involve widening the road in Foxgrove Path which you can also see from the proposals they have sent us together with an aerial view of the site.

Labour gives green light to pedestrian crossing

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The wheels are in motion to replace the zebra crossing opposite Prestwick Road shops on which two ten-year-old girls were knocked down earlier this month.

Labour County Councillor Joan King, elected just last May, demanded action and has allocated £30,000 to install a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights instead.  

Both girls that were hit are pupils at nearby Greenfields School and were taken by ambulance to Watford General hospital.

Shopkeepers and a doctor from the surgery nearby rushed to the aid of the girls and tended them until paramedics arrived.

Local councillors for Ashridge Ward, Paul Gordon and Marie-Louise Nolan visited the scene and have been instrumental in securing the funding.

Both the mother of one of the girls and the school have expressed their thanks to County Councillor Joan King who said she was glad “to have helped”. 

The money will  be available from the new financial year commencing in April.  It is then up to the Conservative-run County Council as to how long it takes to go in.

“Joan has been the driving force in getting something done as people wanted and so quickly,“ commented Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan. 

Gosforth surface danger

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Your Labour team continue to press for resurfacing to Gosforth Lane which is in a right state.

The potholes have got even worse since County Councillor Joan King pledged £12,000 to fix the worst parts.  As our picture shows, there are huge potholes right down the middle of the road between the junction of Harrogate Road and Lincoln Drive and the bend by Warren Dell School.

Councillor King has demanded an urgent meeting with the Highways Engineer which takes place early in February.  The surface is also particularly bad by the former Little Furze School.

In places the road has broken up completely and gravel is now strewn over the footpaths. 
 
"This situation is entirely unacceptable.  The road is plain dangerous and I am taking him to see just what the state of it is.  I am sure he will be shocked and I will be pressing him to commit to sorting out this dangerous surface before more damage is done to cars or there is a terrible accident," said Councillor King.     

Arbroath Action

Labour action team member Joan King has recieved two telephone calls from overjoyed residents in Arbroath Green following the resurfacing of the road.

"One lady told me she felt it had made such a tremendous difference to her life!  That's because so little happened I suppose during the four dark years the BNP councillor from Rickmansworth lasted.  I got it done in less than a year," said County Councillor Joan King.

Caldwell concern

Here local councillors Marie-Louise Nolan and Paul Gordon, who lives in Barnhurst Path inspect a distinct lack of action from Conservative-run Herts County Council.

The reported a dangerous broken drain cover in Caldwell Road when a member of the public said he had twisted his ankle badly at the kerbside.

"It took the council months, but finally it is now done and it the jobs a good 'un," said Marie-Louise Nolan.   

Woodhall woe to be fixed

A bad dip in the road outside number 70 Woodhall Lane will be fixed in January after Joan King kept her election promise to a lady when canvassing for support at the elections in May.

"The lady said she wanted it done and I promised to do it if I won.  I don't blame her for being a bit sceptical, but I am as good as my word," said Councillor Joan King of Blairhead Drive.

Fulford fiasco

Despite your Labour team reporting this damaged street nameplate in August, it wasn't fixed by Lib Dem-run Three Rivers.  They were given the exact location, but then claimed to be unable to find it!  We sent them this photo of Councillor Stephen Cox, taken in the summer, to aid their quest to get it fixed.

Good signs for Labour

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All-action Ashridge Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan has secured new "fingerpost"  street nameplates for Heysham Drive and Blackford Road.

Prestwick Meadows residents demand access point to the Meadow

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Residents living near Prestwick Meadows north are demanding Three Rivers District Council put an access point to the Meadows on Ashridge Drive that will allow residents direct access to Burnley Close and Prestwick Road.  Cllr Paul Gordon has organised a petition.
 Read more here.

Labour backs better recycling

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In a major improvement in the service to South Oxhey residents, Labour has backed a plan to move to weekly recycling collections next year.

New collection arrangements, to take effect from October 2014, will see the weekly collection of cans, plastics, cartons, glass, paper and cardboard in a single wheeled bin, rather than in separate boxes emptied each fortnight.  

At the same time Three Rivers will be introducing a new weekly collection of food waste using handy ‘back door’ caddies. These easy-to-use 25 litre containers should be large enough for all the food waste produced by most households, although  home composting is still encouraged where possible.

“The tubs were just not large enough to meet the needs of many, so having a wheeled bin will be massive step forward,” commented Councillor Stephen Cox. 

The change is being driven by the need to removed cardboard and food waste from the brown bin and  means that from October 2014 the existing brown bins will revert to garden waste only, and will be collected fortnightly. Any remaining household refuse which cannot be recycled will also be collected fortnightly, as at present.

Cllr Len Tippen's case files

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Three Rivers District Councillor Len Tippen has been busy sorting out problems in Northwick ward.  Read here about his case load.  He's been helping residents in Gleneagles Close, Markeston Green, Beeston Close and Muirfield Road.

Keeping our kids safe

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When the Tory-run County Council started axing "lollipop" men and women, local Labour Councillor Paul Gordon acted quickly.  The result?  A new school crossing patrol officer at Woodhall School.  Read more here.

Foxgrove Path

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Local Councillors are supporting the campaign for Three Rivers District Council to preserve the Green Belt status of a much-loved South Oxhey amenity near Foxgrove Path.  Read more here.

Visit the campaign's Facebook site here.

Letchworth Close resurfaced


Letchworth Close has been resurfaced after pressure from your Labour Team.  Local Parish Councillor Stephen Cox is pictured, below.

Prestwick pressure pays off

A dangerous dip in Prestwick Road between Little Oxhey Lane and Ashridge Drive is due for urgent works in the new year.

Your local Labour team's latest newsletter shows the damaged tarmac near the new children's play area and since our picture (facing towards Little Oxhey Lane) was taken, the dip has got worse and large pot holes have appeared.

Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan (pictured at the site) has welcomed that work to fix the problem is to start on 5 January.  Temporary traffic lights will be in place to control vehicles on the busy road with contractors on site between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

"There will be some disruption which is unavoidable, but it will be worth it in the end.  The surface is getting more deadly there by the day," said Councillor Nolan.

County Councillor Joan King had initially reported the damaged to Highways Chiefs and is pleased they have acted so promptly.  

Great for Gosforth

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Remorseless pressure from your Labour team, led by County Councillor Joan King finally paid off when Herts County Council started major resurfacing of the road on 15. August. Read more here.

Drain pain palaver

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COUNCILLORS Len Tippen and Ana Bakshi pictured with the blocked drain outside number 102 Muirfield Road that was reported by the Labour team way back in November.

After 3 months, Tory-run Herts Council has just advised it has been inspected!

Of course, it would be too much to ask that they could have managed to get it unblocked in all that time.  It never rains does it!

Getting into the swing...

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Work has already started on a brand new play area for South Oxhey after the scheme got planning permission in January.

The southern end of the estate has suffered from a lack of play facilities for years and Councillor Paul Gordon made an election promise to improve that situation and new he’s delivering on that.

The site, off Prestwick Road, is presently under-used wooded ground and some non-mature trees are being thinned to make room for the exciting equipment.  Local school children have been consulted on what sort of things they wanted to see there.

County Councillor Joan King has also arranged for the installation of a new pedestrian island on Prestwick Road to help with crossing near the play area.  “I have done this in response to residents’ requests,” she said.   

“There has been quite a bit of talk over the years about a play area, but I am pleased to have played a real part in finally bringing this to fruition,” said Councillor Paul Gordon.

Caldwell comfort!

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County Councillor Joan King has ensured that Caldwell Road has been resurfaced.  "It is now beautiful and smooth," she commented. 

Meanwhile even more has been happening there as the broken drain cover your Labour team reported to Tory-run Herts County Council has finally been fixed. 

"All in all it took the contractors far too long to do a simple job basically, but like the residents who have contacted me I am glad and relieved that it is finally sorted," said Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan who is pictured celebrating the repair.      

"It is another success for the local Labour team," said Caldwell Road resident William Waite.

It's gone a bit nuts

Here in Hayling Road, Councillor Stephen King has reported the overgrown chestnut tree which is taking on a life of its own.  "It is like something out of 'Day of the Triffids," he said" and needs cutting back.  I am on to the council about it."

Ainsdale action

Councillors Ana Bakshi and Len Tippen give the thumbs up as the growth at the bottom of this tree which was obstructing the pavement at the corner of Ainsdale Road and Gosforth Lane was cut back after they complained about it.

Swanston success

Your Labour team had more luck in getting this nameplate fixed at Swanston Path and the surrounding low level fencing too, which was in a bad state of repair, replaced.

Wonder of Woodhall

Your dedicated Labour team are seen here outside Woodhall School in Woodhall Lane with the newly painted school safety markings which they fought so hard to get done. 

Line 'em up

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DOUBLE YELLOW LINES are set to go in at three locations in South Oxhey to improve safety and access.

Parking near Greenfields School has long caused car congestion and danger for children at junction of Ellesborough Close and Ashridge Drive so limited lines are proposed there.

In Hallowes Crescent there have also been problems of parking near the junction with Hayling Road at both the entrance and exit.  Parking at the side of the shops has also obstructed people using their garages to the rear of the parade.  Lines are set to go in at the entrance and exit from Hayling Road and at both sides of the shops to resolve it. 

The third location to benefit is the junction of Ainsdale Road and Gosforth Lane which will also see improved visibility.

See the three plans below for the locations.

Hallowes Crescent

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Labour Councillors in South Oxhey are calling on Three Rivers District Council to clean up the litter-strewn mess that the former Crescent Club, now owned by the Council,  has become.  Read more here.

Sleaford's smooth surface

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After sustained suppoort from local Labour councillors, residents in Sleaford Green finally got their road resurfaced by Herts County Council.

A delighted local residents thanked Labour Councillors for sticking up for them.  Read more here.