Improving Road Safety Outside Springhill School

Later this week safety measures should be introduced around Springhill School on Hill Lane/Milton Road.

Weather permitting, the council's contractor is planning to install a replacement guardrail at the western gate on Wednesday of this week. Bollards will also be installed.

This action follows pressure by the new Conservative Council.

Flooding In Firgrove Road

Freemantle's Councillors are calling for swift action to tackle the terrible flooding in Firgrove Road.

Thanks to a local resident who emailed this picture to my colleague Cllr Michael Ball. We are pushing the Council to sort things out.

UPDATE 14/01/08: The council are in contact with Southern Water regarding their findings following the flooding in Firgrove Road to ascertain if any works are needed by Southampton Highways.

Crossing for Hill Lane?

For many years local residents have been complaining to me that its difficult to safety cross Hill Lane at the junction of Raymond Road. The entrance to Common makes it a popular place for people to want to cross and it is particularly difficult for parents with push chairs.

Now we have a Conservative run council action is finally being taken.

In the past proposals were brought forward for yet another set of traffic lights but I for one was very uncomfortable with this as I felt that it would mean more congestion and pollution on Hill Lane and more use of roads like Greville, Thornbury and Atherley as rat runs at rush hour.

Proposals have now been drawn up for a Toucan crossing.

In order to hear the views of local people a meeting is to be held in the St.John’s Centre in Raymond Road on Wednesday 23rd January 2008, between the hours of 2pm and 7:30pm.

Officers of the council will be there to answer your questions on the proposals.

The proposals being put forward are to provide a formal pedestrian and cycle crossing on Hill Lane just to the north of Raymond Road where the existing central island is located.

The reason for this proposal is to provide an improved crossing facility as well as linking the Cemetery Road cycle link to Raymond Road.

Additional features to be included are; the provision of a pedestrian refuge in Raymond Road and the widening of the footway in Hill Lane outside properties 184b, 186 and 188. The footway widening is to allow the ‘Give Way’ line in Raymond Road to be moved forward into Hill lane to improve the sight line for vehicles exiting Raymond Road.

I am hoping to be at the meeting in the evening after work so I can have chance to speak to people and gauge views on the proposals.

UPDATE 14/01/08: The meeting has now been changed to Wednesday 23rd January 2008.

Improving Safety In Darwin Road

No Waiting at Any Time restrictions have now been put in place with the painting of yellow lines at the junctions in Darwin Road.

The Thornbury Road / Darwin Road junction in particular has been a danger spot with the lack of vision afforded to drivers due to the parked cars at this junction.

I along with Councillors Michael Ball and Brian Parnell have supported Southampton City Councils’ implementation of parking restrictions.

We hope that this should limit the number of road traffic accidents in this area and improve pedestrian safety.

We have also asked that the parking enforcement officers be vigilant with extra enforcement activity in the early weeks of the introduction of this scheme to help reinforce this measure with drivers.

Leading the way on Public Transport

Conservatives have pledged extra funds to protect concessionary bus users in Southampton.

Under the Government’s national scheme concessionary bus users would find themselves barred from using their concessions before 9.30 in the morning. The Conservative Administration felt that this would unfairly penalise bus users who needed to get to hospital or other appointments before 9.30.

We are determined that local bus users don’t lose out because the Government are short changing the city.

Funds will be set aside to pay for an additional concessionary bus travel within Southampton's boundaries. This will include:

- Travel for Southampton pensioners between 9am and midnight within Southampton’s boundaries.
- Travel for all disabled people within the city boundaries including those who miss out under the government’s criteria for the national scheme. This includes all people on Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Companion passes to allow family members and carers to travel for free when accompanying disabled bus users.

The decision follows extensive consultation over recent months on the Conservative’s draft budget proposals for next year.

We have shown over many years that we are leading the way on public transport. We are the only Party who are willing and able to deliver a fair deal for Concessionary bus users. The Conservatives called for free travel for pensioners as far back as 2002.

Green Light for New Learning Campus

Southampton Conservatives are pushing ahead with plans for investment and modernisation of secondary education in the city.

Later this month the Council's Conservative Cabinet are meeting to approve the next steps for the eventual development of 4 new secondary schools in Southampton:

• The Lord's Hill Oasis Academy which is to be built on the 5 acre field site on the northern boundary of the city.
• The Mayfield Oasis Academy which will be developed on the Grove Park School site.
• The relocation of Regents Park Community College to the St Mark’s CE Junior/ former Civil Service Sports Ground site in Freemantle.
• The relocation of the Sholing Technology College to the Itchen College building.

I am delighted that such excellent progress is being made and I am particularly pleased with the work that is going on secure the former Civil Service Sports Ground as school and community playing fields.

Together with Cllr Brian Parnell and Cllr Michael Ball we have represented residents' wishes to protect the Civil Service Sports Ground from housing development and protect one of the last green playing fields in the city centre, and we have sought to secure central government funding (Building Schools for the Future Programme) to build a new school on the St Mark's site to serve the needs of the local community.

In January we will be formally authorising the Council's Director of Resources to take steps to acquire the former Civil Service Sports Association playing fields at the rear of the St Mark’s site from its current owner, Bovis Homes so that it can be developed as a playing field for St Mark’s CE Junior School and Regents Park Community College, and made available for community use.

The Council will work with the governing body of Regents Park Community College, the governing body of St Mark’s CE Junior School and the Board of Education of the Winchester Diocese of the Church of England with the aim of creating a learning campus on the St Mark’s CE Junior School site including both primary and secondary education.

As the newly selected Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test, top of my agenda will be pressing government to provide funds for these and other schools in the city.

Back Blogging... and Happy New Year!

It's been a very busy last few weeks and I have not had the chance to update my blog for a while. So now I am back I have plenty to update!

I was delighted to be selected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test last month. Since then my work load has shot up with lots of local meetings in the city. I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Freemantle Infant School

I have signed up as a School Governor for Freemantle Infant School. I have had one Governor's meeting so far and another is set for later this month. I was really impressed by the head teacher / Centre Director, Kevin Barnett and by all the school governors. They are all doing a fantastic job, both for the school and the local community as well. I am really pleased to be working with such a great bunch of people.

St John's Infant School

I spent an enjoyable lunch time at St John's School in the old town. I had a lovely Christmas dinner with the children and had the chance to talk about the forthcoming review of primary education in the city with teachers.

Protecting Family Housing
I have been working hard with local residents in objecting to inappropriate developments across Freemantle Ward. Over the Christmas period I met up with residents in Paynes Road who are objecting to the destruction of 2 family homes next to the Spitfire Antiques shop.

The new Conservative Council is bringing forward more local planning guidance to protect family housing in the city later this month. The Conservative Cabinet are due to approve a new Supplementary Planning Document which will strengthen our local planning powers.

Kentish Road / York Road Cut Way
My colleague, Cllr Michael Ball and I have been talking with residents and council officers about the problem of teenager gangs congregating and intimidating residents in the area and are seeking the views of people about how best to sort the problem.

One suggestion made is that a gating order be sought, that would restrict access to the pedestrian cut-through between Kentish and York Road. This proposal has been raised with Rights of Way (Planning), Community Safety and the Youth Service. The general consensus at present is that it is extremely difficult to gate the pathway. This is because at present there have not been enough reported incidents to support it being gated.

The pathway provides a short cut to the health centre and other facilities for many people who live in the area, so perhaps you may not favour it being cut-off. Elderly people in particular use the cut way and any alternative route would be longer.

However, Community Safety, the Police and Youth Service are aware of the ongoing problems with gangs in the area and are conducting intensive operations and continuous work in the area and have recently had some success with ‘catching’ some of the offenders and serving various orders on them.

We have put the issue on the agenda for the next Freemantle Inter-agency meeting. Community Safety and the Youth Services have been invited to attend to give their views. The Council lighting department has also been requested to look at the lack of lighting in the area to see if they can improve facilities.

Selected For Southampton Test!

Yesterday afternoon I was selected to be the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test at the next General Election.

I am honoured by the faith that local party members have put in me by selecting me. I am also thrilled to be selected to represent my home seat.

I grew up in Southampton and went to school, college and university here. My family have lived in the city since 1948. So I really care about the area and I will always campaign positively to make it a better place.

I am looking forward to getting stuck into campaigning and to meeting as many people as I can.

I do believe that the wheels are really starting to come off Gordon Brown’s government and locally our MP seems to be more interested in representing the Government, rather than fighting for the interests of Southampton in Parliament.

I am determined to be a strong, local voice fighting for the interests of the city and I will work hard to represent everyone in Southampton.

Residents' Parking Schemes

Formal public consultation for the proposed Silverdale Road and Cawte Road Residents' Parking Schemes begun last week.

A traffic regulation order was published on 28th November. Notices will go up on lamp posts and an advert in the Echo to advise of the formal consultation period. This ends on 7th January. It’s been slightly extended to take account of the Christmas holiday period.

Assuming all goes well the scheme is set to be implemented by the end of March.

Copies of the plans can we obtained from the Highways and Parking Services Department on 8083 2337.

Cash Boost For Freemantle

Freemantle Community Centre is set to win £50,000 from the Learning and Skills Council later this month.

The money has been awarded following a successful bid to deliver community learning for adults and families in the area.

After consulting with the community it has been suggested that the money be spent on delivering IT training and drama and performance.

The community centre is set to be redeveloped and will close in March for six months while the works are done. Most of the extra money will be spent during this period.

The community centre caters for a range of groups, including Southampton Day Services, youth and church groups, amateur dramatics, yoga and martial arts.

John Denham on Labour Donor Scandal

Gordon Brown's Government going from disaster to disaster.

I listened to John Denham MP's comments on the unfolding Labour funding debacle, on The Politics Show today.

He was peddling the same line as other Labour figures on this matter; that the rules need to be reconsidered and we need a wider debate on party funding.

The problem is not the rules, its that Labour flagrantly broke them!

It doesn't matter what new rules are brought in if Labour are going to ignore them. I certainly don't think we should be forced to pay more tax to fund political parties because Labour can't be trusted to be honest.

Planning and Rights Of Way

Click HERE for a link to Tuesday's (4th December) Planning and Rights of Way agenda.

There is only one Freemantle application being considered. This is 117 - 119 Millbrook Road East.

Click HERE for a link to the Council's planning website.

Twenty Is Plenty!

The new Conservative Council Administration has announced plans to slow down traffic outside of Southampton's schools.

Signs encouraging drivers to slow down to 20mph will be installed around all the city's schools by the end of March next year.

This should have happened along time ago and I am really pleased this important issue is now being tackled.

Click HERE to read the Daily Echo report and HERE for Southampton City Council's press release.

IKEA Coming to Southampton

After a marathon planning meeting last night, city councillors finally gave approval for Swedish furniture giant, IKEA to build a superstore in Southampton.

The store will be built on the former Pirelli site in West Quay Road and will be a huge boost to the city economy creating 500 jobs.

This is fantastic news for Southampton and is one of a number of major city developments which will boost the city. Cruise giant Carnival are also to have their head office located in the area, on the West Quay Phase 3 site and this secures a further 900 jobs in Southampton. Plans to redevelop Northern Above Bar are also making progress.

The only hurdle in the way for IKEA remains the threat of the government over ruling Southampton's decision. This happened before and the secretary of state blocked a previous move from IKEA to come to the city. I am hopeful that this won't happen again.

Read more about the plans HERE.

New College Application Passed

Linden Homes' scheme for 200 flats and some offices on the New College site off the Avenue was given approval this evening. The Planning Panel was split 4-2 on the decision, which was taken at half past six, three and a half hours after the item was due to be considered on the planning agenda.

I along with a number of concerned residents spoke at the meeting. Concerns about parking, over development and design of the buildings (which resemble Lego bricks) were knocked back by councillors in the teeth of local opposition.

The development goes against the recently adopted council policy of providing more family housing. Despite councillors of all parties voting in September to ensure that at least 30% of new developments are family houses, Lib Dem and Labour councillors voted to approve the Linden scheme which includes 91% flats.

On the positive side Linden Homes agreed to put the new development on Combined Heat and Power.

Raymond Road

For a number of years the Council has been looking at some changes to the Raymond Road / Hill Lane junction.

There have been a few accidents over the years. Turning right from Raymond Road into Hill Lane has always been difficult because visibility on the corner is quite bad.

I have also relieved a number of letters asking if the Council could do something to help cyclists and pedestrians cross the road to access the Common entrance.

The Council's initial plans were to put in yet another set of traffic lights at the junction. I have been opposing this as it will mean more congestion and more cars using roads like Thornbury Avenue and Greville Road as rat runs to get into town.

Council officers are now working on an alternative proposal.

This is likely to include a Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cycles to be located just to the north of Raymond Road. The footways could be widened on either side of the crossing to allow for shared use by pedestrians and bicycles.

Also being investigated is the possibility of providing pedestrian islands in Raymond Road near to Hill Lane.

Planning Meeting - 6th November

Next Tuesday's planning panel meeting has some very important and controversial applications on the agenda, including the New College Linden Homes development and also IKEA. Click HERE for a full list of applications.

New College

This is a proposal for 200+ flats and commercial units on the old La Santa Union Site.

I have commented on this application previously and objected on a number of grounds.

I am very concerned about this proposed development which once again is flats, flats, flats and very little family housing. This is despite full council recently agreeing to new strict family housing planning policies.

Also I am concerned that only minimal efforts have been made to make the proposed development environmentally sound and sustainable. I would very much like to see any development on the site link into the city's combined heat and power (CHP) station or provide on site CHP and am very disappointed that Linden rejected this idea. Again this is despite the clear direction of the council to expand CHP across the city.

The New College Application will be heard on Tuesday at 3pm at the Civic Centre. Anyone can go along to the meeting.

Freight Plan Back on Track

Its been years in the waiting but finally its been announced that Southampton will get the long awaiting funding from Government to upgrade rail links with the West Midlands.

Years of lobbying by the city council and Associated British Ports has finally borne fruit and the £43m investment will be used to enlarge the tunnel which runs under the city centre allowing larger containers to be taken of the roads and put on the trains.

Not only will this provide economic benefits for the area it will also ease conditions on the city's roads and help the local environment.

Work will start in 2008 and is due to be complete in 2011.

Southampton's Recycling Highest Ever

The most up to date figures show a huge leap in city recycling over recent months.

In August residents recycled 31% of household waste, the most ever in Southampton and up from 26% in August last year.

This is fantastic news. A lot of hard work has been done by the city council recently and a range of further initiatives are planned by the new Conservative administration which will boost recycling even further.

For more details click HERE.

This news come after Southampton's new Conservative council was endorsed by Greenpeace for its energy efficiency vision for the city.

Further green initiatives being pursued by the council include improving recycling in city council building and action to improve water efficiency in civic buildings.

Brown Plans Raid On School Coffers

Brown is keen to get his hands on schools' money

Gordon Brown is planning to confiscate money from schools which have budgeted sensibly by taking 5% of any school surpluses. Click HERE to read more.

This is quite unfair and smacks of more top down control from Labour. The money belongs to the schools and the head teachers should decide how it is spent.

This news comes after recent warnings that the Government might be backing away from its plans to rebuild or rennovate schools across the country. Southampton has been promised funds under the Building Schools for the Future fund and there is deep concern that the city will be denied vital funds for improving local education. Click HERE to read more.

UPDATE 01/11/07 - Good news. The Government has backed down over its plans to raid the funds of prudent schools.