February 2023

5 Buckden Roundabout February 2023 From your District Councillor District Councillor ’ s Report General Let ’ s hope that 2023 is better than 2022!!! Exploration of a Cycling and Walking Route to Grafham Water For many years residents have expressed a desire for a safe cycle access linking up the towns/villages and Grafham Water. I note that, as a community, we are as passionate about green transport and widening commu- nity access. Furthermore, this makes good economic sense. I have been working closely with Anglian Water to look at potential existing and new routes. They are aware of the local land ownership via Savills who help to man- age their estates and legislation - having a large commer- cial organisation working with us may help us to be more successful than previous attempts. Three local councils have expressed great interest, and these include Grafham, Perry and Buckden. Southoe are also interested and have suggested that the route could be an extension to the Varsity Way, which is a cycle route that links Oxford to Cambridge. What ’ s also exciting is that Anglian Water have recently had some land re- turned at end of lease and they have pledged to plant over 75,000 trees and acres of meadows totalling 42.5 acres. This will link up to Brampton Wood creating a green corridor of woodland. It will be co - managed with the Wildlife Trust BCN who Anglian Water work with on site. Something that is happening right now is the con- struction of a miniature golf course with the themes of water and nature, which will be opened in the spring. Flooding, Pavements and Highways Update I am continuing to chase Cambridgeshire Highways on drainage, pavement and road faults, which, in my opin- ion are not being addressed in a timely manner. Over the Christmas period I was alerted to a problem on Silver St by a resident who has experienced flooding – it seems that we have a broken drain! In this case we have a dispute between Cambridgeshire Highways and Anglian Water (who dug the hole and then filled it in). Highways state that they have surveyed the drainage in 2022 and that the sewer was good condition in the area. From the picture they note that the joining collar is missing, which would indicate damage during excavation. It won ’ t be possible in every case, of course, but in this case, it seems mad to dig a hole, solve one issue and then refill leaving another issue to continue to cause problems and require a new hole to be dug, work done and refilled, particularly as I alerted Highways prior to the hole being filled in. Over time the cost saving alone would be considerable, not to mention the environmen- tal benefits. To state the obvious - collaboration between the agencies must be a good idea and this is being pushed for by Parish Council representatives and myself. I am informed that Silver Street is awaiting further inves- tigation from number 25 towards the Church Street and a trial hole will be dug – also Church Street will get sur- veyed towards the end of January. To remind you from my last report that I have been in- formed by County that, despite the identified areas of pavement being marked up by the Local Highways Officer, that the following timeline applies: • Springfield close, the footpath and junction surfac- ing works are scheduled for 23/24 financial year. • The footpath adjacent to Lucks Lane is awaiting approval from District Highways Manager. • The footpaths over The Osiers have been forward- ed for slurry seal treatment, which possibly will be carried out FY 24/25. I will continue to press for an earlier outcome. Wishing you well, Martin Hassall District Councillor for Buckden, Diddington and Southoe Executive Councillor for Corporate & Shared Services Phone: 07480 798 342