Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot

WINKFIELD, CRANBOURNE & NORTH ASCOT NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM MEETING NOTES 13 OCTOBER 2011 ASCOT BAPTIST CHURCH NORTH ASCOT 7.30PM Present Cllr. Stuart Tarrant Chair Cllr.T Cllr. David Parkin Cllr.P Cllr. Tony Virgo Cllr.V Inspector Greg Elphick GE Sergeant Loran Rivett LR PC Lucy McDonnel LM PCSO Debbie Rimmer DR Fiona Heston - BFC FH Wendy French – BFC WF (minute taker) 18 residents Item Details Actions 1. Welcome & Introductions Chairman, Cllr. Stuart Tarrant welcomed everybody and thanked them for attending. Cllr.T introduced the police and representatives from Bracknell Forest Council to the forum attendees. 2. The Neighbourhood Consultation Process The Neighbourhood Action Group, or NAG, is a group of volunteers, made up from a cross section of our community, who plan and organise work activities to take forward the actions identified by residents as priorities for work. Each year at these open public meetings, NAG asks it’s local residents for their opinions and views on local issues that matter to them. Both the Neighbourhood Forums, local Resident Associations, Neighbourhood Watch Committees and local Ward & Parish Councillors have been able to give a good picture of local issues that are important to our residents and help it to set it’s priorities for the coming year. 3. Progress Report on the Last 12 Months Cllr.T gave an update on NAG activities during the last year. At the Neighbourhood Forum last year issues were raised and after subsequent discussion various priorities were chosen to focus on during the year. These priorities have been: - Countering excessive speeding in the area and seeking permanent solutions - The Green Environment, particularly working with local schools - To assist in the reduction of Burglary Non-Dwelling These issues were addressed by Cllr.T in the reverse order: Burglary Non Dwelling. Household burglary is continuing in various parts of the area with 5 in the Maidens Green area recently. Police have been quick to act and have increased their patrols in the hotspot areas. Non dwelling burglary has increased with break-ins at Locks Ride Pavilion and Riding stables in the Maidens Green area recently. This type of burglary is happening more regularly and the police have responded with helpful communications to residents in affected areas, listing various precautionary actions. The Green Environment Cllr Parkin updated everyone on progress around the green environment. • Engaging with TVP in the community payback scheme (an operation where low-level offenders are given tasks to do as part of their punishment). This has involved clearing ditches and litter picking in the south of the parish and clearing overgrown footpaths in the north of the parish. The Community Pay Back Teams have given 400 hours of their time in the last 12 months. Other projects such as painting are in the pipeline. • Working with Paul Craven Head of Maintenance at Winkfield and Cranbourne Parish Office the NAG have engaged with 4 local schools who have chosen trees and planted them. It is hoped that understanding why they are planting trees and feeling partly responsible for those trees that they have planted will encourage the children to respect the environment. • Working with the local schools on litter picking to keep areas around their own school free of litter. Some of the litter problems come from passing traffic. Cllr.P has built up a good relationship with Heads of the schools. By educating children at a young age and keeping the momentum going throughout their school life it is hoped that this will instil in them a sense of responsibility with regards to litter. • Helping families to appreciate and value the environment by being involved in the Parish Annual Cycle Ride and the Annual Footpath Walk. The former saw 167 people registering for the 10 mile course, including many children who received a medal at the end. The Footpath Walk in November is a great way to promote exercise and not only brings the community together but also ensures that the footpaths stay open for future generations. • Working with the schools and parents to actively encourage their children to engage in activities to help the green Environment. Excessive Speeding Although there was no BFC consultation in the current year, previous BFC resident consultations recorded that excessive speeding in the Winkfield & Cranbourne area was the highest resident concern for over 50% of respondents and that it was getting worse. Thames Valley Police have continued with their work with the camera van parked in various key locations and there is a continuing exercise by Bracknell police in monitoring various places to which attention has been drawn to the Neighbourhood Action Group. For example, Hatchet Lane came up for special speeding consideration but the results have not been convincing that there is a major problem. Police activity has also been evident on Fernbank Road. It is clear that there is a need for permanent solutions as the police are not available at peak and night times. There is also general agreement that road signage by itself does not reduce speeding. Working with BFC, some progress has been made and the following updates have been made available by Neil Matthews from the Highways department at BFC: • London Rd/ Fernbank Rd Traffic lights. At last year’s Forum meeting a resident raised the issue of speeding down from the Ascot Roundabout towards Bracknell and jumping the traffic lights. Cllr.T was pleased to report that BFC Highways Dept had installed equipment to reduce this problem. • Brockhill (B3022). “...further speed management measures are proposed for the Brockhill section of the B3022 within the current financial year” • Winkfield Lane. “Results from the 7 day speed survey show typical speeds to be sufficiently above the Police enforcement threshold of 35 mph (for a 30 mph limit) to warrant intervention. The proposal is to investigate the practicality of speed measurement measures, subject to prioritisation against other similar proposals....” • Braziers Lane crossroads. An outline traffic calming proposal, with the support of WPC, has been submitted to BFC Highways for consideration which would entail the introduction of speed calming cushions on Forest Road (but not sited outside residences) and Locks Ride, a weight restriction for vehicles turning into Braziers Lane and the moving of the 30 mph sign on Forest Road, North Ascot side, to before the bend rather than after it, where it is currently hidden in the foliage. • Winkfield Row / St Mary’s and Lambrook Schools. As reported previously archer strip recording by both the police and BFC has demonstrated that excessive speeding occurs on the B3017 outside schools. During the year a traffic calming scheme has been developed by BFC which has been supported by the local community involving the laying of speed cushions on the B road and humps on the unclassified section of Winkfield Row outside St Mary’s School. This has now been approved subject to final notifications and is likely to be implemented early next year. Cllr.T thanked Cllr Ballin for signing off the final approval for this. • Maidens Green X roads. The plan eventually is to have traffic lights at this dangerous crossroads but little progress has been made in acquiring the necessary land to enable it to be progressed. Cllr.T recommended to the Maidens Green Society that they consider a low cost cushion type solution as a short term measure. Accidents Cllr.T reported that over the past year there had been accidents at Maiden’s Green crossroads, Winkfield Row at the traffic lights, Brazier’s Lane and Hayley Green. The NAG are working tirelessly with BFC to find solutions. Lock’s Ride Play Area This project, primarily funded by government, has been a huge success based on the feedback of the many users. However the popularity of the play area has caused a parking problem at times and a noise problem for a few residents. Also, there has been a couple of anti social behaviour incidents. BFC, WPC and the vast majority of local residents are determined that this excellent facility will continue to be enjoyed by our young people. 4. Have Your Say One resident raised the concern that Crouch lane is still subject to speeding and nothing appears to be done about it. Heavy Goods TVP vehicles delivering to farms and stable in the area are a problem, coming through at speed. TVP agreed to look into this. There are problems with the traffic lights at the junction of London Road and Fernbank Road. The right filter is not working correctly. Cllr.T asked the resident to report this to BFC. The Crouch Lane coordinator for neighbourhood watch was concerned that emails regarding local burglaries were not filtering LM through. LM offered to look into this. GE confirmed that Margaret Weber sends out the Ringmaster messages. Anyone wishing to receive these messages should contact Margaret on 01344 823488 or e-mail: margaret.weber:thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk. It was requested that Margaret Weber come to some of the neighbourhood Watch meetings. TVP to action this. It was pointed out by one resident that he thought the centre road lines at the Maidens Green crossroads were offset causing confusion to drivers. There is also confusion because there is a ‘stop’ sign on one side of the crossroads and a give way sign on the other. The resident thought that the proposed traffic lights could cause problems. It was hoped that the ‘cushions’ going down in Winkfield Row next year may have a possible solution for Maidens Green crossroads. It was thought that signage could be improved at Braziers Lane crossroads. Cllr.T/BFC In the capital budget of BFC there is an item for considering speed measures for Brockhill.

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