February 2024

4 Buckden Roundabout February 2024 Buckden Parish Council Buckden Parish Council News... Council Website For more information, please visit the Buckden Parish Council (BPC) web site at www.buckdenpc.org.uk. To automatically find out what is going on subscribe to our Newsletter service using your email address. Flooding in the Village At the time of writing this flood waters are still high around the Marina area. We are very conscious that the first part of January was extremely difficult for many residents. However, it is clear that the work undertaken to clear the Taylors Lane culvert and unblock numerous drains around the village helped avoid more widespread damage. We would like to thank all those who worked through the night to support those in Taylors Lane and prevent further damage. The equipment held at the shed on the allotments was well used. In future this can be accessed by calling: John Thelwall 07831 580625 Caroline Underwood 07739 249036 Anne Howell Jones 07557 025241 to obtain the access code. We have also purchased some membrane which proved effective in stopping water entering houses. It is critical going forward that we continue to take as much preventative action as possible. For example, ensuring that drains are cleared. Please report any instances as soon as pos- sible. There is a diagram on our web site which has all the numbers you may need to report issues and clarifies which organisation is responsible for which issue. We are also talking to Highways and landowners about what can be done to reduce the vol- ume and speed of water coming down the hill on the west of the A1. Silver Street Development The potential developer of the site, Morris Homes, have now held an initial meeting with National Highways to discuss the requirements they must meet in relation to the A1 and the Roundabout. In addition to having to agree an acceptable design for the Roundabout with Highways, any construction would have to be scheduled so it does not conflict with the development at the Black Cat. We will keep you updated with progress, but this is unlikely to be rapid. Shell Garage A planning application has been received to further extend the facilities available at the Shell Garage. Whilst we have no problem with this in principle we are concerned about the exit of, in particular, HGV ’ s directly onto the roundabout. This has the potential to be even more problematic if traffic lights are installed as part of the changes to enable the Silver Street development to progress. However, if this exit were to be closed it would result in village and north bound traffic having to head south and use the potentially danger- ous turning points on the A1. Again, we will keep you informed. Speedwatch Our speedwatch team are back up and running and have a full agenda for the first quarter. We will make the results availa- ble periodically. If you would like to join the team, please con- tact the Clerk. Thank you to all those who have supported this exercise so far. Marina Development BPC have objected to a slightly revised planning application to knock down the leisure facility at the Marina and build holiday flats. The multiple reasons for this decision are on our web site. By the time you read this we are likely to know what de- cision HDC have taken. Parking on street corners We are still seeing far too many instances of drivers parking at or near corners in the village. This is dangerous! Please don ’ t do it. We have asked the police to enforce parking regula- tions. Cemetery Clear Up Each year our handymen undertake a full clear up of the cem- etery. This will take place in February. It sometimes involves removing, for example, old flower arrangements. If there is anything of sentimental value please remove it, at least tem- porarily, to avoid any upset. Councillors Sue Ashwell has resigned as a Councillor. Sue has worked tire- lessly for the Council over many years and we would like to thank her and wish her every success for the future. Council Meetings The next Council meeting will be at 7.00 pm on Tuesday.13 th February. The meeting will include a 15 - minute open forum. If you want to speak at the meeting, please let us know what you want to say, by contacting the Parish Clerk. You will get a three - minute slot. The Council Planning Committee will also meet if required. Agendas for both meetings are posted on the Parish notice boards no later than the Saturday preceding the meeting. Office opening hours The Clerk operates flexibly between the office and home. If you wish to meet with the Clerk, please call on. 07483 033357. All of the papers and reports for Council Meetings are available on the Thursday before meetings on Council website www.buckdenpc.org.uk .This provides the opportunity to see the agenda, reports of work carried out by the Council as well as reports from our County and District Councillors. Any questions or comments on this report should be addressed to the Parish Clerk at: Buckden Parish Council, Buckden Village Hall, Burberry Rd, Buckden, PE19 5UY. Telephone 01480 819407 Email: clerk@buckdenpc.org.uk.