It is not safe to cycle without proper paths

 

I haven’t been on my bicycle on the road for years. It’s just not safe even on B roads, perhaps especially on B roads, between villages as they are narrower, and have no pavements, let alone cycle paths, and traffic goes at least 50-60mph.

Our village of Great Paxton is only a few miles from St Neots but we might as well be miles away; we have to use a car to get anywhere.

There is a group trying to get a cycle path created, even attempting to get a river bridge so we can join up with the Little Paxton cycle path network to get into St Neots - a long way round but appears to be more feasible than our own cycle path, however it’s difficult to get anyone to take us seriously.

It’s even been considered to try to reinstate the chain ferry across!

Also a short mile and a half to the Offords and their links to Buckden, then Brampton into Huntingdon but no safe route for our Great  Paxton cyclists.

Any help you can get would be greatly appreciated, 

 

Jacqueline 

By Email

 

Something needs to be done about empty shops

 

I have written to Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly to express my concern about the main route from the bus and train station into Huntingdon town centre. 

I was very interested to hear Mr Gove speak on the Sunday politics show, using an analogy about the effect of broken windows.

I agree absolutely with his sentiments and that ignoring these seemingly small things, broken windows, creates a spiral effect encouraging an unwanted element. 

Giving the impression of an area that tolerates crime and making locals and visitors feel unsafe.

I moved to Huntingdon with my family in October 2017, had the Waitrose been closed at the point of purchase and the thoroughfare looking as it does now, I certainly would not have chosen Huntingdon as a desirable location. 

Now that I live here I am very appreciative of all the great things the town has to offer.  The work that is put in by local people and businesses is impressive but it feels as if the residents are being let down by the local council.

The large store has been empty for five-and-a-years .  I appreciate Covid has hit the retail industry but surely with an economic model of the market deciding, the price of the building should be adjusted to make it desirable to either a property developer or a retail outlet. 

Also, it was empty for a considerable period long before any of the issues that have created the current economic crisis we are all experiencing at the moment. 

Once that building has been sold, let, or developed, the focus can then be on the smaller retail units in the area. 

The old Poundland premises, at the heart of a historic and beautiful town square is negating all the efforts being put into the Cromwell Museum and Commemoration Hall, as well as the independent businesses that are striving to improve the town and services available within it.

Whilst I was pleased to hear that money is being made available to Huntingdon as part of the Market Towns program, I am concerned that the money will be wasted unless the issue of the empty properties is resolved first. 

I think it is essential that a plan is made, and made public, for this area of the town that is quite frankly looking more like the Wild West each day.

Christine Daly

By Email

 

 

Why was public consultation so narrow?

 

I read the letter from Mr Rawson with concern, as it appears that our civil servants in the county council highways department, appear to be conducting consultations with the people who will most likely give them the answers that will justify their proposed actions in blanket 20mph speed restrictions in our town and villages.

If this is correct, and I have no reason to disbelieve Mr Rawson, it is an outrageous abuse of their authority.

Their actions would not be proportionate, so we need to find out from them how they came to their decisions and why the 'public' consultation was so narrow.

The actions of public servants who think they can ride roughshod over the populace because they can, must stop.

Where are our elected representatives, they should be questioning the officials concerning their methods in obtaining public opinion.

Perhaps if these officials are prepared to spend millions of pounds on changing speed signs, setting up extra speed cameras etc.

Should the council be made to spend thousands of pounds on a public referendum on contentious issues such as blanket 20mph speed restriction in our towns and villages.

I will not hold my breath on that, as has been proved in the past, when officials have referendums they tend to get the wrong answer from the great British public. 

P Moores
St Neots 

 

The Best of Social Media This Week:

 

Mobility Scooters

Should mobility scooters banned from the town centre to reduce the risk of collisions with pedestrians? John Morris

Brian Johnson

I saw a lady on a four-wheeled disabled buggy with two children sat on her lap… time for action and insurance for these things and scooters. Brian Johnson 

There seems to be two versions [of scooters] - one light weight and easily manhandled. The second is heavy, and built for travel on roads. The second can be lethal and should have restrictions imposed. David Tribble.

John Morris what a ridiculous thing to say… they are designed to make the immobile … mobile. Those that cannot walk still have the right to shop and care for themselves. But, yes the speed should and could easily be restricted. Beth Smart.

I believe mobility scooters should be restricted to walking speed as there are a lot of users (not all) that think the faster they go is the right way. I have also seen a lot of scooter users heading forward disregarding anyone who is walking in front of them or who may have a disability blind or deaf, as I said not all. Angela Blake.

Don't tar everyone with the same brush! I am a disabled user, and yes, I am quick but always careful. Those that drive on the road are just as dangerous! Helly Wools.

Mobility scooters are just that! They should be ridden at walking pace not as if they are on a road. Jenny Lea.

 

Potholes

They are awful around Ramsey and Warboys. I reluctantly paid my council tax today. Have they given up and do people get a reduction in their council tax if the council are not doing their job! Chantelle Asoul.

What the hell am I paying road tax for? Half the pot holes just reappear within a few days. Roxy Franks.