Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot Neighbourhood Action Group 04 February 2010 10.00 - 11.10 am The Trax, North Ascot Present: Councillor Mrs Mary Ballin, Bracknell Forest Council NO Lucy Chimerick, Thames valley Police Nicola Dymock, Bracknell Forest Homes Adrian Hoare, Chavey Down Residents' Association Jacquie Lovell, Chavey Down Residents' Association Councillor David Parkin, Winkfield Parish Council Councillor Stuart Tarrant, Chairman In attendance: Ian Boswell, Bracknell Forest Council Emma Silverton, Bracknell Forest Council Apologies: Councillor Malcolm Young Action Points Minute Item 1 Notes of Previous Meeting The notes of the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot Neighbourhood Action Group meeting on 26 November 2009 were approved as a correct record subject to the addition of the following: Minute 3, Feedback from NAG Forum ‘Obstructive parking outside Lambrook School’ be adjusted to, ‘speeding outside Lambrook School’. In reference to large vehicles that were causing obstruction when turning left from Forest Road on to Braziers Lane: Adrian Hoare reported that the same problem existed at the junction of Chavey Down Road and Locks Ride; the cause was that the buses are too big. Minute 4, Update on Priorities Adrian Hoare suggested painted strips across the road at speed-sensitive points as a calming measure. There was some support for this idea. 2 Update on Priorities Stuart Tarrant presented the results of the Neighbourhood Consultation Survey which was considered at the NAG Chairs meeting on 21 January 2010, in particular the results relating to Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot. It was noted that for the purposes of the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot NAG, this represented the northern area of the parish. The Group noted that the five improvements requested by the 433 respondents to the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot consultation were: • Level of speeding – 52% (i.e. one in two respondents) • Police on the streets – 37% • Litter – 28% • Nuisance caused by vehicles – 26% • Quality of roads – 26% 46% of respondents (one in two) rated the level of speeding as the aspect most frequently rated worse. Neither burglary or anti-social behaviour were listed as concerns for the area in the consultation results. Speeding Level of speeding had been regarded as the highest concern for residents now for 3 years running. Stuart Tarrant reported that he had made an application to BFC to lower the speed limit along Winkfield Row outside St Mary’s Primary School from 30 to 20 mph as there was concern about the safety of children crossing the road to reach parked cars. It was noted that Bracknell Forest Council had a borough wide policy of 20 mph speed limits outside of all schools unless there were special circumstances. It was reported that a speed management scheme had been put in place on Long Hill Road. The scheme was welcomed and it was hoped that the scheme would help to reduce the level of speeding along the road. Four gateways had been installed in approaches to the Maidens Green cross roads which had received mixed feedback. Positive comments had been received about the ascetics however it was not yet clear if there had been a reduction in the level of speeding. It was reported that the Borough Council were planning to install traffic lights at the Maidens Green junction but this was dependant on land acquisition which was currently held up due to negotiations with a land owner. The Group agreed that in spite of the gateways installation, Brockhill was still a speeding hotspot. Stuart Tarrant would seek clarification regarding a letter from Roger Cook to Ward Councillors asking for comments on roads in Winkfield that were to be assessed by the Council. (Action: Malcolm Young) The section of Winkfield Row outside of Lambrook School was considered as another speeding hotspot in the area. Survey result had shown that the average speed of vehicles as they passed the school exit was 40 to 50 mph. It was reported that whilst TVP were undertaking speed enforcement further along the road, however they were unable to do so outside the school as the nature of the road bend did not allow for a clear line of sight for the speed guns. NO Chimerick was attending laser gun training on 08 March 2010 and would then be able to undertake ad-hoc speed checks along some stretches of the road when time allowed. As the speed limit along the stretch of Winkfield Row could not be enforced by the police it was referred as an issue for the Road Safety Partnership. It was suggested that physical deterrents such as a platform or pinch point could reduce the speed of drivers. It was agreed that a letter would be sent on behalf of the Parish Council and NAG, to the Highways Department at BFC raising the issue of speeding, including the supporting survey results and requesting suggested solutions. (Action: Stuart Tarrant) It was reported the speeding on Fernbank Road still remained an issue and that there was a speed enforcement van site along this road. It was reported that residents had raised concerns about speeding in New Road. Thames valley Police had planned a speed check in the near future for this road. (Action: Lucy Chimerick) The Environment It was noted that the Parish Council were keen to see increased focus on the green environment. In the Neighbourhood Consultation 28% of respondents highlighted the issue of litter as a concern. The survey also showed that parks and the open and green spaces of the borough were one of the top things that residents liked about the area. It was noted that a large amount of trees had been taken down in the area over the last year and that protection of trees should be addressed through Tree Preservation Orders and conservation areas. Future plans for the Ascot Place Wall would be carefully monitored for potential loss of trees. Anti-Social Behaviour The Group noted that although not identified as an issue of concern in the consultation results the police crime statistics showed that Barkers Meadow was experiencing a higher than normal level of anti-social behaviour and related crime. The Group agreed the following priorities for 2010: 1. Speeding, specifically: a. Brockhill b. The section of Winkfield Row outside of Lambrook School c. Fernbank Road 2. The Green Environment, specifically litter on: a. Forest Road b. Brazier’s Lane c. Bracknell Road d. Longhill Road 3. Anti-Social Behaviour outside of Barkers Meadow. 3 Neighbourhood Police Team Update Speed Enforcement On 03 February 2010 TVP undertook speed enforcement which included the junction at Forest Road and Winkfield Row. It was reported that investigations were taking place to create a speed van check point on Chavey Down Road opposite the Playing fields. It was noted that when resources were available speed checks later in the day would be undertaken. The Group noted that speed enforcement was not just about issuing tickets to offenders but increased police visibility in the area would act as a deterrent for offenders. Police Surgeries As part of the Policing Pledge Neighbourhood Policing Teams needed to hold monthly local meetings to increase engagement with the community. The Police Beat Surgeries which had been stopped due to low attendance were being restarted in conjunction with Citizen’s Advice Bureau and street meetings. A January meeting was held in Barkers Meadow for the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot area which received positive feedback from residents. 4 Feedback from Neighbourhood Action Group Chairs' Meeting on 21 January 2010 The Neighbourhood Action Group Chairs' Meeting on 21 January 2010 focused on the results of the Neighbourhood Consultation Survey. The results of this survey formed the basis for setting the NAG priorities for the year as discussed in minute 18. It was noted that the concern of residents about the level of speeding was the same in Warfield and Binfield (i.e. in all the Northern Parishes). 5 Any Other Business Neighbourhood Fund money for NAGs Each NAG in Bracknell Forest had £500 to spend during the financial year from the Neighbourhood Fund. It was up the individual NAGs to decide how they wished to spend this money with projects for the funding needing to be committed by the end of March 2010. The Group agreed that a project that would engage with a larger number of residents to allow the organising of litter picking etc would be beneficial. An environment week could be organised to promote green issues in the area. It was suggested that a champion for each street could be identified and information about events could be cascaded to all areas. It was agreed that Jacquie Lovell and David Parkin would meet to discuss this proposal further. (Action: Jacquie Lovell/ David Parkin) Parking It was noted that whilst parking would no longer be a top 3 priority for the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot NAG it was still being monitored by TVP particularly outside the three primary schools. A joint exercise between TVP and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue was planned to highlight the importance of non- obstructive parking. Community Payback The Group noted that David Parkin was in discussion with Inspector Squires regarding the Community Payback scheme in Winkfield, Cranbourne and North Ascot and how this might be used to reduce litter in the area. 6 Dates of Future Meetings The next meeting of the Winkfield, Cranbourne & North Ascot Neighbourhood Action Group would be held on Thursday 15 July 2010, 10am, at Carnation Hall. Future meetings Thursday 21 October 2010, 10am, The Trax, North Ascot .