Page 6 - April 2016 Issue 302

6 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
LEICESTERSHIRE SPEAKERS –
A KALEIDOSCOPE
OF COLOURS WITH
WORDS
Our March meeting was hugely successful, although at first it seemed we may be a little thin on the ground owing to the local flooding. But Leicestershire Speakers proved they are a very resilient lot and the meeting got underway with a full complement of members and four visitors! During the evening there was an assortment of interesting items. We listened to a eulogy for Baroness Betty Boothroyd. John Baron gave us a speech on the history of Islam. In this month’s education slot Wyn Glen illustrated how the use of vocabulary and alliteration can describe a scene and create an atmosphere in the mind of a reader.
We then moved to an extremely entertaining topics session organised by Hiten Vyas. He announced his subject “Body Parts”. Everyone waited pensively to see what came next. To the relief of all there was no embarrassment. The explanations and the use of the head, eyes, neck, fingers and knees created a great deal of mirth and laughter.
All too soon a very entertaining evening
of Speakers came to an end and it was time to say farewell until April.
The Leicestershire Speakers welcome anyone who would like to learn the art of speaking in public. Our meetings are supportive, informative and entertaining, helping to turn nervous wrecks into confident, speakers. We meet at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Blaby Drop in Centre. For more information ring Anne Jones on 2772295 or visit our website www.leicspeakers. co.uk. We can also provide entertainment and talks to other societies and groups.
TRAFFIC AND THE
CREMATORIUM
David Jennings has kindly sent email correspondence highlighting concerns over parking and traffic.
A local resident sent the following to Adrian Clifford. I walked with a friend and her 2 year old son down to Glebe Garden Centre. When we left to walk home we found we couldn’t actually cross over to the pavement adjacent (cemetery side) at any point as it was completely inaccessible to pedestrians. There was a huge funeral taking place at the crematorium and cars and vans had completely blocked the pavement from the crematorium to almost Rosebank
APRIL 2016
Road. I was so stunned that I took photos. You will see that these vehicles had completely taken the full pavement and there was no room for a pedestrian never mind a pushchair with a 2 year old occupant! Therefore we had a perilous walk on the road with fast moving traffic until we could get to the nearest section of pavement and walk safely. Cars had also parked on the grass verge outside Glebe Garden centre which again is a huge safety issue.
We were really quite appalled that this could happen with no regard for pedestrian access and safety in fact it was down right diabolical. I did not report the issue to the police but since having spoken to various people about the incident I now realise that it is completely breaking the law.
I spoke with Colin about the issue and showed him the photos I had taken to which he suggested I contact you.
I don’t ordinarily complain about these sorts of issues but I can seriously see this being a major problem in the future and wanted to inform you as it is yet another serious safety issue for Countesthorpe residents and passing motorists.
Matt Lennon, Transport Engineer for Leicestershire County Council as part of this conversation replied:
I wanted to draw this to your attention please. I’m sure you have had similar complaints from the public? I have witnessed similar myself. I have also spoken with Glebe Garden Centre and they have had ‘run ins’ with the crematorium users / owners in respect of mourners parking in their car park etc....as I understand they now ‘police’ this such that it doesn’t happen.
You will recall the car parking was scrutinised at the planning application stage and the applicants transport consultant sought to demonstrate that the off street parking proposed was more than adequate. It was evidence based on traffic generation and car parking accumulation surveys at similar comparative sites. The HA (Highway Agency) had no evidence to the contrary and had to follow this advice that the off street car parking numbers would be satisfactory. There are often no defined standards with a sui generis use such as this and we look to the Applicants with experience of operating other similar sites to present a car parking strategy . It has now been proven however that the car park is not fit for purpose and these events are not ‘one off’s’ and seem to be regularly occurring.
This is a serious safety concern to HA. Is there any on-going liaison you are having with the site operators? Do they have any plans to extend their car park to cater for demand? If not I would welcome discussion or advice from Andrew as to any possible course of action the HA or LPA (Local Police Authority) could take? Regards,Matt Lennon
HERALD COPY DATES 2016
Issue Copy date Layout Publish Committee
302 17 Mar 24-25 Mar 1 Apr 12 Apr
303 19 May 26-27 May 3 Jun 14 Jun
304 14 Jul 21-22 Jul 29 Jul 9 Aug
305 15 Sep 22-23 Sep 30 Sep 11 Oct
306 10 Nov 17-18 Nov 25 Nov 6 Dec
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