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Tuesday: May 1st   

CSW Logo.jpg

I have received several requests from local residents concerned about the speed of vehicles regarding setting up a Community Speed Watch Group.
It is the police who are responsible for these groups and for the necessary training ..... I shall have some copies of the leaflet which explains the procedures and if you would like one then please don't hesitate in contacting me on 07725708891 
I should also like to take this opportunity in reminding drivers once again that:-

If you hit a pedestrian:

at 20mph  9 out of 10 will survive

at 30mph  only half will survive

at 40mph  9 out of 10 will die

So please SLOW down and drive at the appropriate speed. 

SPEED WATCH LEAFLET DOWNLOAD

 Wednesday: May 2nd 

Thursday: May 3rd

The Jurassic Coast Partnership has applied for £2.8 million from the Big Lottery Coastal Communities Fund to help develop marine links at both the western and eastern end of the 95-mile long Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Travelling by sea has long been talked about on the Jurassic Coast , with coastal communities firmly behind the idea. Waterborne passenger transport could help relieve congestion, particularly in the summer, boost the local economy, create jobs and encourage new and repeat visits by tourists, as well as offering a possible alternative to commuters along some parts of the coast.

Extensive market research has been undertaken to identify whether visitors and locals would be inclined to travel by sea. Some 94 per cent of people who responded were interested in using marine transport, given a vessel appropriate to the sea conditions. The idea has been well researched through a Scoping Study in 2009 and a more detailed feasibility study in 2010 which identified potential pilot projects.

The funding sought from the Coastal Communities Fund would allow the initial development of two of the pilot projects identified in the feasibility report. In the west, a coastal hopper service will be looked at, operating between Exmouth and West Bay and servicing Sidmouth, Seaton, Lyme Regis. In the east, a service is proposed between Bournemouth – Poole – Sandbanks – Studland – Swanage.

The long-term success of any such project will depend on a public/private sector partnership but it is hoped the funding could help develop the infrastructure required and go some way towards creating a sustainable service, linking with land-based transport and offering an enhanced, reliable and realistic alternative to road travel.

Two new working groups have been established in both the west and the east. The Jurassic Coast Marine Links (Western Group) met for the first time on 19 April in Seaton, with an excellent turn out from town representatives, the National Trust, public transport providers, existing boat operators, Dorset and East Devon AONBs and marine experts from the South and West Coastal Projects CIC. The eastern group will meet at the end of May.

The two groups are co-ordinated by the Jurassic Coast Team, which is funded by Dorset and Devon county councils, and chaired by independent volunteers.


 This project will make the most of our stunning coastline and will promote sustainable economic growth by enabling people to explore the area. The local community is behind this project and there's great potential for this service to support tourism and local businesses, so everyone is determined for this bid to be successful.




 

Friday: May 4th 

 

Saturday: May 5th

 Attending the travel roadshow event which will be held at Station Road Playing Fields in Pinhoe Exeter today.

The County Council's Travel Devon team is hosting the family fun day from 10am to 4pm to promote the new walking and cycling route through the playing fields near Pinhoe Station.

  The Travel Devon Roadshow aims to help people to, 'Save Money, be Healthier' by enabling them to find out more about all forms of sustainable travel, from walking and cycling, to public transport, carsharing and eco-driving.

  Trained travel advisors from the County Council will talk to people about their daily commute or journey to school and offer personalised journey planning advice and support. They can also help adults to sign up for free cycle training if they are looking to improve their skills and confidence before getting back on two wheels.

  Other entertainment and events on the day includes a Cycle Circus with lots of wacky bikes to try, a chance to test your cycling skills, as well as the availability of a free cycle check with Dr Bike.

  This is a great opportunity for people to check out the new walking and cycling links through Station Road playing fields and to find out more about Exeter ’s cycling network. We hope that routes like this will encourage more people to take up cycling, either in their freetime or on their route to school or work, and the roadshow should help residents discover the travel options available to them. Cycling is one of the best ways to save money, improve health and reduce our carbon footprint.

The County Council funded the new route which has been developed by Exeter City Council

 

Sunday: May 6th 

Some well earned light relief with my radio show on Bay FM Online this afternoon commencing at 2.00pm through until 4.00pm www.bayfm.co.uk 

Monday: May 7th

 Woolbrook 30mph speed limit extension being advertised see County link for further details......As predicted more rain today and the long range forecast is looking grim for the rest of May and well into June....We all know that the local economy especially in Sidmouth and other coastal towns depends on good weather and so lets keep our fingers crossed that the two hot weeks in March wasn't our summer of 2012

Tuesday: May 8th

 

Wednesday: May 9th

 

Thursday: May 10th

 It really beggars belief when someone from the District Council goes and erects signs (at tax payers expense) claiming that under the Rights of Way Act 1932 that East Devon District Council owns the land surrounding this (Knowle) building and there is no intention to dedicate it or any part of it as a right of way...................Of course they are entitled to do this and at the same time alienate even more Sidmouth residents many of whom have used the footpaths for thirty years since the District Council has owned Knowle and prior to that when it was an hotel.....with this in mind The "20 year rule"  of uninterrupted and unchallenged public use which has to elapse before the path becomes "dedicated" as a Public Right of Way has indeed taken place.....and now it appears the District Council want to throw even more taxpayers money away  at a protracted procedure in dedicating the PROW....all residents need to do is gather a good quantity of solid evidence (e.g. witness statements, documents, photos etc) and public usage has never been subject to any challenge, the next step toward turning the perceived dedication into an official RoW, is to "claim"........ Lets go for it.......I have written to County's PROW team and set the wheels in motion.

Text from my email to the Chief Executive of EDDC requesting that the District Council dedicate footpaths within Knowle grounds as PROW

Dear Mark
 
Having taken advice from our PROW team at County Hall I am writing to request that the District Council
 dedicate footpaths within the Knowle grounds as public rights of way, through dedication or creation agreements as the landowners with the County Council under section 25 of the Highways Act 1980. They (the footpaths) would then be recorded on the Definitive Map as public rights of way.
As I understand it this can be done through the solicitors in East Devon's legal department contacting Devon's PROW section who can advise on the procedures.
As you are aware with the newspaper articles on the possibility of EDDC moving there is a vast amount of concern regarding this issue within the town and it is an easier procedure to record public rights of way than going through the investigation of evidence to add them to the Definitive Map by Modification Order as they are currently not recorded as rights of way, although there have already been queries from members of the public about how to do that.
 
I now look forward to hearing from you
 
Best regards
 
 Stuart Hughes CC
and reply
 

Dear Stuart,

Thank you for this e-mail.
I will arrange for this request to be reported through to the office accommodation working party for assessment.
Regards,
Mark


I haven't heard another bean

 

Friday: May 11th

 Say no more a photo of one of the signs that have been erected at Knowle

 

Saturday: May 12th

 

Monday: May 13th 

I am sure, like me, many of you have been very concerned over the winter with the condition of Trow Hill.  The failure of the drainage system led to torrents of water running down the hill, causing damage to the road surface, difficulties for ourselves (Devon County Council) during periods of cold weather in preventing ice from forming on part of the strategic road network, as well as issues to properties. Drainage works to prevent ice from forming on the strategic road network has to be the top priority for the County Council.  A drainage survey showed that the system was compromised with the cross drain connections having been apparently trenched through, by a Utility company.  This resulted in water being unable to discharge through the easements and it remained on the carriageway.  An added complication was that Wales and West utilities did not want us to dig over their fragile gas main, for each new connection, so a new carrier drain has had to be laid.  The utility company has been advised of our intention to reclaim part of the cost of these works, and staff are currently compiling the details for the claim submission.
 
Kerbing has been installed on the A3052 in a number of locations as we are trying to improve the structure, drainage and strength of the A3052.  Part of the way of improving structure is to overlay the carriageway.  Kerbing not only then adds structural side strength to the road, but there are also drainage issues with the channel preventing water from going down the entrance to the shop at Kingsdown.  The grips in the area have also been concreted to prevent them silting up as quickly as they did last year, this proved worthwhile during the recent storm events when they worked properly.
 
Most drains are clearly not at the summits of roads, but equally we cannot just put one drain in the dip of a road.  Drains need to be spaced out to take water off the road and into easements.  If drains weren't installed then water would just run down hills staying on the road and causing problems for motorists, until the water arrives, en mass, at the base of a hill, in which case one drain is unlikely to function adequately, causing flooding.

 

Tuesday: May 14th 

My Blog appears to be dominated by the PROW through the Knowle and yesterday evening I received an email from Deputy CE of East Devon answering the questions that I had put to the Chief Executive last Thursday following the erection of the signs.....Here is the text:-

There has been a degree of uncertainty around the town as to what the access status is of the parklands and we have received various enquiries to that effect.  At a time when the Council is investigating development and relocation from the Knowle I think it has been useful to replace and renew signage at park entrances that explains that public access is by permission of the council and that there are currently no agreed rights of way.  The District Council Leader, myself and others have already made clear our desire to maintain significant publicly accessible open space as part of any future development.
As you know, it is not normal practice to consult with Ward Members when replacing signs or installing new signs as these are everyday operational matters. 
The signs cost £76.80 (exc VAT) each.  The overall cost has increased by the equivalent of one sign because, sad to say, the sign at the bottom of the front gardens footpath was stolen (using tools) within 12 hours of being sited.  No doubt you share our frustration at such a petty act of theft and vandalism.  If you have the opportunity to make that concern known to the local community around the Knowle it would be most helpful.

and so in replying I said:-

Thank you for your reply....I must say I do find it strange that apart from one sign regarding dogs on leads in the Knowle grounds I have no recollection of ever seeing any other signs in the 21 years I have served on East Devon District Council and it may be cynical of me however I firmly believe that the signs were specifically erected to forstall a dedication from occurring....Land owners often put up signs asserting 'There is no intention to dedicate a right of way' forcing members of the public to gather a good quantity of solid evidence (for example witness statements, documents, photo's etc) and public usage has never been subject to any challenge (the 20 year rule)......the next step toward turning the perceived dedication into an official RoW, is to 'claim it'...which I understand is already being actively persued.
I do feel that it would have been better for the District Council to dedicate footpaths within the Knowle Grounds as PROW through dedication or creation as landowners with the County Council under section 25 of the Highways Act 1980.....They would then be recorded on the Definitive Map as PROW.
 
Perhaps you would be so kind as to think again regarding taking the later route which wouldn't burden the local council tax payers.
 
As for the stolen sign ...Yes I shall make my concerns known as two wrongs don't make a right.

The later way would be the best way forward for all concerned the District Council who would be able to establish paths which would work with possible development if they were to move and the local Sidmouth residents who use the footpaths. 
And so why doesn't EDDC talk to County PROW Officers who are only too willing to help??

 

Wednesday: May 15th 

 

 

 

 

 

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