Lib Dem action in Marconi ward

Back to Marconi ward campaign team.

Action on planning and environment

Coval Works, Cedar Lane

An application for flats with yet more commercial units was approved by the planning committee against our urgings and we wish that a 'less in your face' building could have been proposed for this site. This was a disappointment, though watch this space. We are hoping that the Developer applies for something without the commercial units - we don't need more of these, nor the parking problems they would surely create.

Litter Bins

Residents in Swiss Avenue and Maltese Road have complained about the litter on the pathway linking the two roads and surrounding area. We have successfully organised two new litter bins, one at either end of the walkway.

Open spaces

We are currently sending out a survey to residents local to the open space on Eastern Crescent, asking what they would like to see happen to improve this green area. As part of Springwatch, BBC Radio Essex are organising a day in June to make a 'butterfly garden' and a quiet place in this open area. Jude and Graham think this is a wonderful initiative and are asking local residents to lend their support. If you would like to help in any way, including possibly being interviewed by BBC Radio Essex, call the Marconi ward admin office.

Road issues

Some road issues are the responsibility of the County Council but that doesn't stop Jude and Graham working with your County Councillor Ian Gale to try and get your issues resolved.

Pothole Competition

We are delighted that the winner of the LibDem run Chelmsford wide pothole competition was Mrs Heather Searle of King's Road!

Essex Chronicle has now decided to take this up and Jude and graham have sent in additional photographs. We are worried about cyclists and pedestrians, as well as the damage to motor cycles and cars. Jude is following up the stories from Marconi residentsin Chancellor Court, Broomfield Road and Valetta Close, some of whom found themselves in Broomfield Hospital A&E after a fall on our poorly maintained pavements.

Residents parking - Rainsford Ave, Primrose / South Primrose Hill

We are pressing for at least two schemes to be looked at urgently, not waiting for the occasional Borough Council review. At the top of Rainsford Avenue on the east side, many local workers park throughout the day, only moving their vehicles for the one hour when the restrictions are in place. This is to the detriment of the residents living there and their visitors. This area of parking needs to have the restricted parking times upgraded from 8am - 6pm, Mon to Fri.

In Primrose Hill and South Primrose Hill, there is concern that the further development of the Jeep Site may cause more congestion in these already overcrowded roads. We are pressing for some imaginative thinking from Council officers

Maltese Road and Valetta Close continues to have its problems because of inconsiderate parking of some parents doing the 'school run'. Whilst the schools have been doing their bit urging parents to park responsibly, it has been necessary to review the situation, and get the Traffic Wardens down there more often.

Road junctions: Waterhouse Lane / Parkway / Rainsford Road / Rainsford Lane

Traffic coming round from Waterhouse Lane onto Rainsford Road, and traffic coming towards the big Parkway junction from the West is often causing serious delays to traffic coming out from various residential and estate roads. - South Primrose Hill and Cramphorn Walk onto Rainsford Lane, - Primrose Hill/Wheatfield Way, Rainsford Avenue, and Admirals Walk onto Rainsford Road from the South, and Maltese Road, School View Road/Radoni Restaurant, Mace Walk, and Park Avenue all suffer. We are suggesting that some of the problems may be alleviated by phasing the traffic lights at the Park Avenue and Parkway Junctions.

Other news from Marconi ward Lib Dems

Mon 23rd Jun 2008:

Courtman House saved.

Maltese Road residents and the local Lib Dem councillors have reacted with joy at the planning Inspector's decision to save Courtman House from demolition. This follows a long battle involving most residents of the road, writing letters and petitions and attending meetings.

Sun 8th Jun 2008:

Lib Dems dig in for Springwatch.

On Saturday, local Liberal Democrats joined a range of BTCV volunteers and residents of the Brownings Avenue / Eastern Crescent area to build garden areas on the field in between. It was all part of the BBC Springwatch project. Local ward councillors Graham Pooley and Jude Deakin, Cllr Alan Arnot (Patching Hall) and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson took part in the digging and planting process.

Tue 20th May 2008:

Local Lib Dems backing BBC Springwatch in Brownings Avenue.

Chelmsford Lib Dem Councillor Jude Deakin has been on local radio supporting the BBC Springwatch project. The Springwatch team will be in Brownings Avenue on 13th June to create a garden area. Cllr Deakin was discussing the project recently on the BBC Essex breakfast show.

Thu 1st May 2008:

3rd O2 Phone Mast application - Kings Road/Dixon Ave - Rejected on 23.4.08.

'Good news for all Kings Road and Dixon Avenue residents', say Marconi ward Cllrs, Lib Dems Graham Pooley and Jude Deakin. O2's third planning application to erect a phone mast near the school has been rejected by Chelmsford Borough Council. Graham says, "We must all remain on alert, to counter any attempt by the mobile phone company to apply for further planning permission".

Wed 30th Apr 2008:

Saying No to yet more food, fags and litter at Chelmsford Bus station.

Chelmsford Council's Planning Committee has decided to defer allowing a restaurant, pub or take-away at the bus station, whilst more options are explored. Local residents welcomed the decision and were backed by the local councillor, Lib Dem Jude Deakin

Tue 29th Apr 2008:

The name of Marconi must mean more than nostalgia …..

On Saturday 26th April, the statue of Guglielmo Marconi, Chelmsford's founder of broadcasting, duly arrived in "Marconi Plaza" near to the Chelmsford's theatres and bus station redevelopment. That was welcome but Jude Deakin and Graham Pooley, local councillors for this part of Chelmsford - called Marconi Ward - hope it's symbolic of fresh action for Chelmsford's West End.

Courtman House battle - developer goes to appeal.

Residents of Maltese Road, Chelmsford, are gearing up for the planning Appeal on Tuesday May 13th, which will decide whether or not to allow the demolition of Courtman House. Residents have responded to calls from the local press and ITV Anglia, and are planning their approach to the Appeal Hearing with Lib Dem Councillor for Marconi Ward Graham Pooley.

High Bridge Road should stay, say Lib Dems.

Chelmsford Council committed itself last week to knocking down High Bridge Road, from near the Odeon roundabout to Springfield Road. The local Liberal Democrats have condemned this as bad for the environment, a waste of money and sure to make traffic at the Army & Navy much worse.

Mon 28th Apr 2008:

Chelmer Housing hikes garage rents by 40%.

On 1st April 2008, people who rent garages from Chelmer Housing Partnership (CHP) were presented with a new rental rate of £10 per week plus vat. This represents an astonishing increase of £3 a week plus vat - a 43% rise.

Thu 24th Apr 2008:

Rainsford Avenue/Rainsford Road Development.

Developers are still pressing for planning permission to knock down the two houses on the corner of Rainsford Avenue. This time they want to replace them with six flats and three town houses.

Mon 14th Apr 2008:

Residents turn out at Courtman House; demolition would "choke Chelmsford".

A group of angry Maltese Road residents turned out for a local press photo last week to oppose demolition of Courtman House. The developer is pressing ahead with his appeal, asking the Government's inspector to allow demolition, even though the council said No.

Wed 9th Apr 2008:

3rd attempt to set up phone mast near Kings Road Primary opposed.

O2 are trying for the third time to set up a phone mast outside the Kings Road primary school. Local Councillors Graham Pooley & Jude Deakin worked with residents last year to successfully fight the appeal against the planning refusal. This latest application is for a mast just 2 metres shorter. [Read the full story and sign the petition.]

Mon 31st Mar 2008:

Pothole campaign gains national attention.

The Lib Dem campaign to persuade Essex County Council to repair more potholes has reached the attention of the national press. The Sunday Times sent a photographer down to Chelmsford to meet with local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson and photograph some of the many potholes in the Kings Road area. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3646291.ece

Residents' battle to save Courtman House continues.

A valued part of Chelmsford's suburban street scene is still threatened with demolition despite protests and positive action from local residents and by their two local Councillors, and an alternative planning permission being granted by the Borough Council.

Thu 13th Mar 2008:

Pothole Competition Winner Announced!

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats have announced the results of their competition to find the worst pothole in Chelmsford. The number of entries received demonstrated just how bad the problem is across Chelmsford. The winner was Heather Searle from the Kings Road area, where the problem is particularly acute, as can be seen from the photos on: http://chelmsford-libdems.org.uk/pages/Potholes.html

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site.

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats News Stories, provided by Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/.

(c) 2008 Chelmsford Liberal Democrats