Minutes of Committee Meeting held at Thorpe Primary School on Monday 11^th January 2010 at 7pm

The Chairman introduced and welcomed Ms. Alison Ivatt, Manager of North and West Peterborough Neighbourhood Council to the meeting both to give us an overview of the intentions of the Council and to join with us in our meeting so that we would be able to identify and location of areas of concern so that they may be addressed more quickly.

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs. F. Hird, Mr. R. McGeever and Mr. T. Heath.

The Secretary apologised to the Meeting for the absence of Minutes of last which had somehow become lost within the computer.

There being no Minutes there were no matters arising

The Secretary reported that there was to be a significant overhaul of the Planning system where under it was intended to protect town centres and independent retailers from out of town supermarkets.  Supermarkets must pass a tougher test to show that a new store will benefit a Town Centre

Further revisions have now been made to the above application on the All Weather Sports Pitch, improved local play area and car parking at Westwood Grange Mayors Walk West Town  NNA responded and said that they were delighted that the proposed car parking spaces had been increased from 84 to 101.  Concern remained regarding the vehicle access from Mayors Walk. NNA expressed doubt upon the existence of drainage on the area of the Allotments and recommended the Council to undertake a more comprehensive Search for drainage.

The secretary reported that he had not been able to attend this meeting and was unable to report upon what business was transacted.  However, Ms Alison Ivatt did attend and was able to let NNA know that several questions that NNA had previously raised were able to be answered.

A meeting of NHS Officers, PCC Highway Engineers, residents Hospital and NNA was convened on 11^th December 2009 to discuss ways and Car Parking means of reducing the anticipated impact of car parking, traffic flow, hazard of accidents at the new road junction at the entrance, traffic control and road signage, when the Hospital opened on the anticipated date of 14^th November 2010.

The general opinion of the meeting was that the traffic situation was, irregardless of the NHS staff parking provision on site, inadequate and confused.   NHS had, for several months, been running free bus travel for staff, free shuttle bus and bus service etc all at great cost but there remained a problem of shortfall for a period estimated to be 5 months between the demolition of the now old ECH and the opening of the new hospital which would, it is anticipated throw some 600 to 900 cars  parking 24/7 for several months on to local streets, roads, cul-de-sacs causing mayhem for through traffic, three Schools and local residential housing which are already over burdened with personal cars.

So far as is understood there were 3000 car park permits already issued with only 2000 spaces provided on the new site which produces a continuing daily problem of where staff, patients, patients visitors, service vehicles are going to park and for how long.

Hospital staff have been working for nearly a twelve month with City Council Engineers to produce a Travel Plan but as is easily recognised  one can have a plan but will, or can, the plan be fully implemented by staff.

There are already difficulties for staff getting in to or away from work at 6am because there is no public transport at that time.  It must also be mentioned there is a perception of  fear that staff may be assaulted.

The above are the bare bones of the problem and further meetings have been convened to answer questions already requested of City Council engineers in an attempt to reach a solution, even of compromise, which will not produce or leave Netherton/Westwood/Bretton as one vast car park and that traffic will be mostly at a standstill. 

The most salient feature is that this Hospital is an A&E hospital for Lincoln, Northampton, Cambridge, and Peterborough and there will of necessity be constant blue light/emergency activity.

Westwood Grange Public Open Meeting held on 2^nd December 2009 in Thorpe School regarding the all Weather Football Pitch on The Grange was very successful as Mr. John Dadge, Consultant brought with him several professional officers of the Council and consultants to answer questions from residents.  Overall, general opinion was that  everyone who wished asked their questions and received an answer, which may of may not have been helpful, but was the correct answer as seen by the professional people present.

NNA wish to thank the Council for holding this Public Meeting which, we believe cleared up many doubts or alternatively provided answers or directed the panel toward areas of public opinion and concern.

The Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer had taken part in all the above discussion and had no further Report to make.

The Chairman thanked Ms. Ivatt for coming and staying through the whole of the meeting so that she was able to take part in our discussions, to listen, offer advice, to take outstanding matters forward, to bring back answers to outstanding questions and gave us the opportunity to take part in a written survey which will become an integral part of the Neighbourhood Council mantra for the remainder of the year.  We were reminded that there are two opportunities to meet one is more frequent and is called the Neighbourhood Panel and the second is the bi monthly full Neighbourhood Council – so please watch out for advertisement in the local press if you wish to attend.

PLEASE NOTE that a Neighbourhood Council Questionnaire called

HELP US TO HELP YOU

Is available from :-

www.peterborough.gov.uk

neighbourhoods@peterborough.gov.uk

There being no other business the chairman closed the meeting at 9pm.

Eric Dent

Secretary

Jan 2010.

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