Open Space

On Friday I arranged a site visit to the Sandyford open space off Spitfire Way.

My reason for attending was to update myself on the general maintenance of the site given complaints from residents and to see how there could be closer links between the community and the fire service proposals for the new Fire Station at Sandyford.

So it was important to link up with AIT work and with planning officers.
In the event, due to Ken Ivatt's departure and changes to the responsibility for AIT, two helpful officers but with no responsibility for the site attended but no one from planning.

I was pleased to see three machine cutting grass in advance of my visit. So thank you for that.

My remaining concerns are as follows -

Residents I spoke to said they had repeatedly phoned the council for routine maintenance work but no one got back to them.

Biggest complaints were litter, grass not cut and wasps nest by bridge - many people , including children and dogs , stung by wasps.

Why is there no statement of the details of the maintenance specification to this park?

Then residents would know what standards to expect, when and who to contact and what response to expect?

Why does the council persist with grass cutting without requiring the contractor to clear it up?
The Fire officer who accompanied me expressed concerns that leaving cuttings in hot weather could lead to small scale fires. In any case it makes the paths slippery and looks unsightly.

Are residents correct in that there been no maintenance to the roundabout for 6 years?

Given the opportunities for the proposed new fire station to promote community use and enhance cycling, how can easier access for cyclists and pedestrians be accommodated in the plans for the new Fire station? How can this be incorporated?

I would be grateful for a response in order that I can get back to my constituents.

Joan
Joan Walley MP

(Posted on behalf of Web Monkey)