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Your Village Web site www.eppinggreen.com Spring 2004 |
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Parish Council News Many Thanks to Valerie Slade for this contribution EPPING UPLAND PARISH COUNCIL Chairman’s Report 2003 I intend to keep this report brief, as it is to be circulated to everyone attending this evenings’ meeting before the start - this will eliminate the need for long dissertation of events and hopefully steam-line the meeting to more pertinent aspects. I will, of course, be taking questions from the public during the meeting. I would like to start by welcoming Ann Pegrum and Paul Heaphy – our two new Councillors - on to the Council and also to congratulate Penny Smith, Ann Jones, Chris Bard and Gary Neilson on their re-election. I feel sure we will all be able to work together for the benefit of Epping Upland. I would also like to thank last years’ retiring Councillors – including Mary Dodd – for their input, enthusiasm and free time that they gave up for the benefit of the Parish. It is also my great pleasure to inaugurate the new Parish Council Gavel which is dedicated to Ron Pocock – a former longstanding member of the Council and resident of the Parish. Whilst the Parish Council has continued to monitor road conditions and maintenance, fly-tipping and many other areas of local concern, I am pleased to report that, at last, we have had confirmation from Essex County Council that the speed limit through the Village, along Upland Road and Carters Lane will be reduced to 30 mph within the next twelve months. There is also to be a 7.5 tonne weight restriction on Upland Road. Hopefully, this will improve the environment and the roads will become less hazardous to the residents of Epping Upland, particularly in Carters Lane where currently there is no speed limit along a road that has a school. Although, we as a Council, have been campaigning for a very long time for these improvements, we must thank our County Councillor, Anthony Jackson for his intervention in this plight, as he was able to speak to the ‘right people’ at County Hall and help expedite our quest. Other major improvements in the Parish have included the new tarmac surfacing to the entrance pathway to the Village playground, plus the successful venture in arranging with District Council to close the lay-by between Chambers Manor bend and the Church. This was a notorious area for fly-tipping and hopefully will no longer be an eye-sore in the area. Rye Hill Road was another area used extensively by fly-tippers, but with the aid of the District Council and the co-operation of local farmers, this seems to have abated at the moment. We are aware of other areas used regularly for fly-tipping and will be contacting Epping Forest District Council – who are the agency for Essex County Council Highways Department – to ensure the problem is gradually eliminated. We have also had the play-bark surfacing in the playground topped up, which is an ongoing project, to ensure the area is safe for our children and our thanks must be given to Gary Neilson and Glen Wain for their work in spreading 25 cubic metres of bark across the play area last summer. We are still negotiating with Epping Forest District Council to provide adequate, safe parking for the residents of Elm Close – particularly those that live 1 – 7 and 27 – 30 and hopefully a scheme will be agreed this year. The Millennium Garden is progressing well and although a Public Social Evening was held in October to encourage residents to form a ‘support group’, the results were rather disappointing and we now anticipate employing contractors on a regular basis for its’ up-keep once CountryCare finish their work. The Parish Council are very much aware, and involved in meetings, regarding the proposed Harlow expansion and will continue to object to over-development of our area. Currently, we are advised that it is anticipated that 250,000 new homes are needed between London and Cambridge, along the M11 corridor, and linked with the pressure to expand Stansted Airport there is a possible half a million new dwellings in this area by 2031. Development on such a scale could swamp rural communities and encourage even more car-based commuting, with consequent traffic congestion and pressure for new roads. We will do all we can to on your behalf ‘fight’ these proposals. Finally, again I must pay tribute to Valarie, our Clerk, for all the unstinting hard work over the last year. I, personally, would like to thank her for all the day-to-day work that goes on behind the scenes and the tremendous support that she gives to the Chairmen. Alan Mansfield Chairman to Epping Upland Parish Council
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