Archive for month: April, 2022
UKRAINE RELIEF – UPDATE
Hear from Peter Holt, head of Uttlesford District Council, how the district is pulling together to cope with the humanitarian crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine:
ALSA STREET ROADWORKS
Over 22 days of roadworks are planned for Alsa Street starting on April 27 to allow for work being carried out by Openreach in the area.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 – SECTION 14(1)
Temporary Traffic Regulation Order of Alsa Street, Stansted
Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=127775753 to find details of the intended closure of Alsa Street, due to commence on 27th April 2022 for 22 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while Openreach undertakes spine cabling
ANNUAL LITTER PICK 2022
The number of plastic bags filled with litter was well into double figures after our Annual Parish Litter Pick at the weekend.
It was a great show of community spirit with young and old rolling up their sleeves to keep our village’s lanes, hedges, streets and parks tidy. More than 40 volunteers took part and particular mention should go to the MountPickers who tackle litter in our village all year round, and also to 494 Stansted Airport Squadron RAFAC.
Appreciation also to our Councillors who took part, and to Cllrs Lois Prior and George Braeckman both of whom helped organise and plan the event.
On a bright but bitterly cold spring day, Churchill’s offer to treat participants with a free chip supper hit just the right spot, as did Brohmon’s discount off a meal for two. Thank you to both businesses for your support.
KERBING POOR PARKING
Do you know you can call a special hotline to tackle incidents of poor parking that you suspect may be linked to a car owner wanting to avoid airport parking fees?
By dialling 0800 731 2385 you will speak directly to the Stansted Airport authorities. They will use the information to compile the data needed to apply for permanent restrictions in areas affected by problem parking associated with the airport.
It may not provide a short-term fix to being blocked in your drive by a holiday maker’s car, but calling the hotline could see your parking woes, and those of your neighbours, resolved for good in the long term.
Short-term remedies
When seeking a more immediate solution to a problem caused by inconsiderate roadside parking, it may help to understand the legal context.
Parking is permitted on a road if there are no displayed restrictions and the vehicle is not causing an obstruction, ie within 20 metres of junction, as per section 243 of the Highway Code. So even cars parked up on a kerbside would have to be impeding access along the pavement for pedestrians for action to be taken.
Also, be careful about leaving messages on windscreens. Leave too many, or write too hostile a note, and you could leave yourself open to the charge of harassment. It pays to remain calm and polite when challenging someone’s parking, no matter how inconsiderate the owner may have appeared to have been.
In cases where parking restrictions are in place, or a car is preventing pedestrians using the pavement, then you would be advised to contact the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) supplying them with details of the car registration. NEPP can get a ticket issued or a vehicle removed, among other remedies.
Another avenue to redress is to contact Special Police Constable Steve Dale. He is able to issue a notice reprimanding owners of cars that have been parked inconsiderately or have caused an obstruction warning that future instances of poor parking could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice or even a court summons.
PARKING CONSULTATIONS
We are applying to the North Essex Parking Partnership for several parts of the village. As two of the proposals have potential ramifications for residents outside the proposed areas, we are asking for your thoughts on the implementation of waiting restrictions on Chapel Hill and at Foresthall Park. Email parishcouncil@stansted.net
CONSULTATION 1:
BENTLEY DRIVE, FORESTHALL PARK
RESTRICTION The first proposal concerns the implementation of No Waiting at Any Time restrictions on the corners of Bentley Drive with Bayford Way. The red lines in the image above show the restrictions would run on the road corners, and the full length of the frontages of houses number 1 and 2 on Bayford Way and also the for the full length of the houses 2 to 6 on Bentley Drive.
REASON Cars parked on the corners of Bentley Drive have the potential to cause traffic accidents by obscuring the views of drivers and pedestrians, while the parking of cars can lead to the narrowing of the road. This not only impedes the the progress of passing traffic, but risks blocking access to emergency service vehicles
CONSULTATION 2:
CHAPEL HILL
RESTRICTION The second proposal calls for No Waiting at Any Time restrictions from the end of the current restriction on the boundary between house numbers 53 and 55, going uphill to the start of the yellow hatched lines outside the fire station. Chapel Hill is an extremely busy road for both vehicles and pedestrians accessing village schools, shops and services. It is also frequently used by the Fire Service.
REASON: A particular pinch point is coming uphill just before the fire station where traffic has to come out and around the parked cars. Once this is negotiated drivers find themselves upon a zebra crossing which is hidden from view until that point. Pedestrians regularly complain that cars do not stop at this crossing.