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I wish to thank the elderly lady who wrote to me on the subject of the sad condition of some of our paths. She pointed to the fact that the grass from the verge was spreading onto and under the tarmac, causing the tarmac to break up, making the paths narrower and rough to walk on. Her letter was passed on to our County Councillor. Being the only letter passed on, it was most unlikely to be over looked or ignored.
Every day I see the elderly people and partially disabled walking in the road because of the bad state of the paths in the Town. Millions of pounds have been spent under P.F.I. on the roads for traffic calming for the safety of children coming and going to school. I will not argue about the safety of children, only the way that this traffic calming has been carried out, which is leading to complaints from all over Peacehaven & Telscombe. But! What about some thought to the safety of elderly and disabled people walking on our rough paths.
In the last ‘Clarion’ I said that if no complaints are received the subject would be dropped. Am I flogging a dead horse? A little while back, the committee received a complaint that we appeared to do nothing. It could be pointed out that any Society, Association etc., depends on their membership for input for them to act on, for the benefit of their membership. The Secretary and myself put some pressure on the Safety of Roads Dept. in Ringmer about the bad condition (sunken slab) of a road, pointing out that this was a danger to children on bikes. It was repaired within two days. It shows that pressurising a department will work; IF enough people get together and complain. This is what the Association is about. Give us the information and we will act on it with the appropriate people, be it Local Council, District Council or County Council. I know that we have quite a few elderly members (I am one myself). So stir the bones and join me with any complaints affecting the elderly, it may make life a bit more comfortable and safer for us, as well as the young.
Being a member of the Planning Users Group in Lewes, I have received quite a bit of information on planning matters. First for those that have access to a computer and the internet, information on planning matters can be found at www.lewes.gov.uk If you have not got a computer you can for a small fee use the internet computers at the Library, to have a look.
The draft copy of the new Planning Handbook will be discussed at the next group meeting and I shall report back on this in the next issue of the Clarion. I have been asked by the Planning Department to “inform people”, they have introduced the “opportunity to speak scheme at Planning Application Committees”. Details can be obtained by phoning 01273 xxxx or xxxx. This applies to Southern and Northern Planning Committees. The Town Council have their own rules for the Town Council Planning Committee; if in doubt ask at the Council Office. I have also received ‘Code of Practice for Parish and Town Councils’ I will make no comments on this one, but if you are interested on how Councils act, I am sure that Peacehaven Council Office will let you have a copy, it was also included in their Policy & Finance Committee agenda for February 26.
May I conclude with saying thanks to the elderly lady, who sent a letter over the paths, it was appreciated. Talking to her, she also highlighted one of today's problems. To quote “I am sorry I cannot attend any of the Association’s Meetings, at my age I do not care to go out walking after dark”. Unquote.
Bill Trice - Vice Chairman.
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