Longlevens News - February 2007

Happy New Year from Longlevens Conservatives

Your local councillors Kathy Williams, Mark Hawthorne and Paul James would like to wish you a very Happy New Year.

As always, we will work hard for our community in 2007.  We will continue to hold regular surgeries and will keep you informed via our Longlevens News leaflets.  We will continue to be available for advice and assistance at any time.

Progress on Youth provision

Kathy has been working hard to move forward plans to provide extra facilities for youths in Longlevens.  Moves are afoot to start a youth club in the area for one night per week.  Volunteers are needed and if you are interested please contact Kathy.

Already a number of initiatives exist.  The detached youth workers use the village hall as a base, Kendal Road Baptist Church have their own youth group and Holy Trinity Church are investigating whether their church hall can be used.

Horsbere Meadow

Work on finishing the new public open space off Brionne Way has been frustratingly slow.  We have been chasing up the installation of the railings and have been told there have been problems with manufacturing them.  We apologise for this delay and will continue to chase this until they have been installed.

Traffic calming changes welcomed

Work is continuing on amendments to the traffic calming in Longlevens.  These works are in response to your comments in the consultation held a year or so ago.  Initial feedback is that the changes have been welcomed by motorists.

Tesco update

Paul is still in negotiations with Tesco to come up with a solution to the problem of delivery lorries using Wellsprings and Windermere Road.  Tesco wanted to use the council-owned car park next to the store to reverse into and exit back onto Cheltenham Road, but this did not find favour with highways engineers.  Other solutions are now being investigated.

Longlevens Rugby Club

The rugby club, based in Longford Lane, has withdrawn their licensing application and will not submit it again until much later in the year.  Paul has met with officials from the club.  They have responded positively to many suggestions made by the police in relation to their application.  When the application is resubmitted, the club will contact neighbours to explain their plans.  The club is also looking to raise funds to complete their development to provide improved changing facilities, particularly for the many young people who play at the club.

Paul and Kathy have also met with the Football Club to discuss their plans for the future.

Longlevens Dispersal Order

Kathy and Paul have been at the forefront of moves to deal with gangs of youths gathering in Longlevens and causing problems for residents.  A dispersal order has now been issued, which gives the police extra powers to deal with gangs.  The dispersal order covers a large area of Longlevens.  The order appears to be having an effect, but will need continuing resources from the police to enforce.

Surgeries

Our surgeries are held on the first Saturday of the month from 11am-12pm at Longlevens Library, Church Road, Longlevens.  No appointment is necessary.

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