Petersfield Ward Labour Party

Mill Road Cemetery Path Upgrade Completed
The project to upgrade the paths in Mill Road cemetery has now been completed. The work on the paths is believed to be first improvement of the surface since it was first laid down in 1848.
Over the years the paths had deteriorated quite badly with large puddles and areas of mud forming. The new surface provides a shallow camber for rainwater to drain off on both sides but also restores the paths to how it is believed they originally ...looked.
Cllr Richard Robertson said “This was a project jointly progressed very successfully by the City Council with the Parishes Committee on behalf of the diocese of Ely and the 13 parishes who own the cemetery and the Friends of Mill Road Cemetery. It has been a good example of co-operative endeavour to improve a much loved facility.“
Having upgraded the original paths it is requested that visitors to the cemetery use them as the main routes. Where other paths have developed some of these have damaged gravestones and there are also trip hazards. In an extension to the project, creating an official path or paths to serve the Gwydir St entrance is being investigated.
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The York St area parking scheme was rejected by residents in December 2018. 47% of residents voted in favour, 50% against, with 3% undecided or no preference.
Those residents in favour cited the growing problems with commuter, student and other non-local parking that squeezed them out of their streets. The main concerns of those voting against were the loss of parking spaces in some streets, in particular Ainsworth St, and the fear that car owners would find it difficult to p...ark near to their homes. During the consultation period residents reported their concerns about this reduction of spaces. In response councillors and officers worked across the scheme to identify over 30 additional spaces, plus creation of further spaces by moving pay and display bays and residents were leafleted with this information.
The York scheme design reflected the requirements of the County Council’s 2017 Parking Policy, applied in all current schemes, that there needs to be adequate clearance to allow emergency vehicles to get down a street. Some streets in the York area were not wide enough to allow this and officers proposed double yellow lines for those streets. A recent chimney fire underlined the risk involved, when the fire engine could not get down the street to deal with it. Luckily the 60m hose just reached the property and the fire was not too serious.
Councillors will be consulting with residents about next steps and any further comments are welcomed. Please email: linda.jones@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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Mill Road Bridge Works: Footbridge Victory!
Labour councillors worked with residents and traders to win big concessions from Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR).
Pedestrians will now get continued access along Mill Road during the forthcoming works via a temporary footbridge, except for the few occasions when crane movements make it unsafe. Bridge works are needed to modify one of the arches so an additional rail track can be installed.
... GTR also agreed to move the works to the less disruptive July-August period rather than the spring of 2019. Councillors are now discussing what support is available for Mill Road area residents who need help to reach health services while the No 2 bus service is diverted, and how local schools can get involved in decorating the bridge. A sensible diversion plan from County Council will be vital to avoid ‘rat running’ or traffic congestion on other through roads. Traders are anxious about declining footfall, though the footbridge will help keep shoppers coming to Mill Road. Furthermore, the partial closure gives us a chance to see the impact of reduced traffic flows and to assess the reduction in air and noise pollution.
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Hooper Street Trees Saved!
Following a resident-led campaign, an application to reduce the height of two mature horse-chestnut trees and to fell a third on Hooper Street has been refused permission.
The trees were each subject to Tree Preservation Orders, and 57 objections were received by the council. Many were appalled that we may lose an important part of our local environment.
... Cllr Kelley Green objected, saying that the trees “make a considerable positive impact to the street scene,” pointing out that the trees were all healthy, and that the works could be avoided with proper tree care.
The application was refused on the grounds that it would be detrimental to character and appearance of the area, and the works would have a negative impact on the trees’ health.
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Mill Road Bridge Closure
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Network Rail and its contractors will host a public meeting at the Double Tree Hilton at 6pm on 1 November to discuss a proposed eight-week closure of Mill Road bridge in Cambridge in May 2019.
https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/public- meeting-announced…/