Monthly June 2005 column
It's June 2005 and all is well – if you are not keen on Europe, that is.
Last Sunday those nice French decided that the new Constitution (for the no voters) or maybe the new Treaty (if you say yes!) was not for them.
As we know, the French always say one thing and do something else, so do not be surprised if they are asked to change their minds before long. On the other hand, the Dutch voted on the 1st of June and that makes two referendums gone with two noes (is that right?). Needless to say Governments decided long ago that it must be a good idea and so far 5 or so have said yes (without actually asking anyone).
Another little gem, more local, is that our County Council are looking for roads to repair so they can raise the money to do it. I've been looking around and when you look, it really is difficult to decide. Roads like Ravens Lane were only done within the last 5 years and it's falling apart already, on the other hand there are lots of roads in the town with a patchwork of holes, dents, trenches, humps and bumps. Holiday Street, Shootersway, Castle Hill Close, George Street, Upper Hall Park, Swing Gate Lane, Cross Oak Road to name but a few. Strangely, I find it difficult to say 'spend money here and there'. I think the 'through routes' like Castle Street, Charles Street – Shrublands Road – Durrants Road - Westfield Road should be sorted well and truly with the others 'patched' pending a rolling program of resurfacing. I can remember in my younger days (watch it!) that the roads were given a 'top dressing' of tar and stone about every five years. I think it was called 'routine maintenance' or some such.
If you want to suggest roads in the town that need attention, why not contact your County Councillor, Ken Coleman, and see if we can get some action.
You will all be pleased to hear that the town council have given the Cricket Club £10,000 to bail them out of trouble (what have they been up too?) and the best bit is that it is an interest free loan to be repaid over five years by equal installments in arrears. How many installments doesn't seem to be specified, although it is secured by the land.
Finally for the time being, I thought you would be interested in the results of two highway faults I reported to the County Council.
The 1st one, was the damaged fence on the by-pass between the Swing Gate Lane bridge and the 'service area' at Bourne End (OK, between the underpass and the Service area sign) which had a car plough into in some months ago. It seems that although the DoT (aka County) put in badger resistant fencing, they know nothing about it and it isn't theirs. Hmm.
The 2nd was even better. The Rectory Lane sign had been 'brushed' off the wall by a high vehicle (you can see the scars) and ending up on the road towards the end of May. They looked and looked into it and the report was 'wot sign, there ain't no sign'.
I've just reported two highway faults, let's see what the reaction is this time.
