Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

I’ll keep this short! – reading MC comments on SL© about a By-pass, my recollection having spoken many times with his CCC predecessor (Cllr Mick Speechley RIP), Mick told me there were advanced discussions between Cambs CC and London Brick/Hansons on the possibility of ‘funding’ a By-pass. I can not remember where this went.
However we in Whittlesey were presented with 3 options by CCC, and at the time a Southern route was what the majority wanted. Local estate agent Stephen Hodson had in his offices for many years the model of the proposed plan, next time I see him I’ll ask if he still has it catching dust.

(©FDC Mick Speechley RIP, passed away 2013 long standing local councillor)

Even during this period the costs which were only ‘guess work’ appeared to be astronomical, London Brick/Hanson may well have made offers to part fund.
It disappeared, like many other good idea’s.

Bridge…

The problems at King’s Dyke are not going to go away. This railway route is designated to get busier with the increased traffic in and out of Whitemoor (and I hear rumour that the sleeper operations currently at Dowmac Tallington may move there), the enhanced gauging of the Felixstowe-Nuneaton freight route and the dualling of the single track between Ely and Soham to allow even more frequent freight trains.
This extremely busy crossing is about to get busier.
Many years ago, probably in the early 70s, I remember then councillor Mick Speechley promising a bridge there. What happened? Nothing yet and still waiting after 40 years.
R A BURNHAM
extract of letter to Cambs Times© 05/12/2012

Read a very good article in the Peterborough ET©

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/latest-news/roads-long-suffering-drivers-welcome-flyover-news-1-152705

For all the doubters – who knows, but the Bridge is more advanced now than at any other time in the long history….If/When is starts or gets completed there will be ‘thousands’ of very happy people – all blocked further along the road at Cardea, and yes Peterborough CC are looking into solving the issue/problem.
There is plenty of information if you carry out the ‘right key word’ searches on Google©

 
Curry Lounge Broad Street/Round-about    Fresh Pizza Co & Cookhouse/Queens St

   
Azalea Boutique/Queens St                              Vape Hut/High Causeway

Households in the Snoots Road area have received leaflets, informing them that 3 UKIP councillors will be attending at St Andrews Hall tomorrow (15th) night at 7:00pm.
‘They’ are looking for prospective candidates to stand in Whittlesey wards in future elections.
I am not attending as I am chairing the Neighbourhood Watch Group meeting, which to me is far more important – I was approached before by more than one political group to join up with them – but I remain ‘Independent’ and lost the elections….
There is another 3 years to go before our elections are due, who knows what will happen before then?
Anyway if anyone does go along, please let me know – I am sure the readers would be interested.

Tuesday evening at 7:00pm – WTC Offices on Grosvenor Road – opposite the ‘New’ Bus Stop. Side entrance – up stairs (Stair lift available)

All welcome.

Click on link to view agenda.
Agenda 15th March 2016

Yes the road is ‘closed’ to traffic – except a scooter decided it did not apply to them late this afternoon. There were ‘dozens’ of people walking and enjoying the spring weather.

Plenty of signage indicating the ‘road is closed’

Scooter came along the B1040 went around the barriers and carried on their merry way.
(Click on picture to enlarge)

I /we do not have a dog or cat – too much commitment for us, but when friends/vistors see a small dog house in our garden, they are somewhat confused – why – where is your dog? – Sorry we don’t have a dog – but what we do have is –
(2) Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoises..before anyone on SL© has another go at me – these were ‘rescued’ nearly 40 years ago and we have nurtured them all these years.
Yesterday we were yet again so Happy, that they had survived the very mild winter in their boxes in the garage.
One of the reasons Tortoises were stopped being imported, was that ‘people/owners’ did no research into how to look after them, 95% died. Like all animals/fish/reptiles – owners need to do some basic research.
The ‘small’ chappie/male is ‘Timmy’ he is about 60 years old and is very active from waking up after hibernation, if you know what I mean!
The ‘larger’ lady, is ‘Suntan’ she is about 80 years old, and weighs 3 times that of Timmy.
She is a grand old lady, and not that bothered in romancing him very much
There is the odd occasion…as the picture shows. She has been featured in several newspapers and locally over the years.
They are presently in our ‘utility room’ with Infra-red comfort heating, they take a week or so to get fully functional, and when the weather improves they live outside. Favourite food – Chinese leaves and Tomatoes or occasionally Strawberries + any of Connie’s plants (younger the better)
We are always so Happy Happy, to see them ‘wake up’ alive and well…..
We do still have a ‘few’ in Whittlesey with Tortoises.
The British Tortoise Society is a good organisation to carry out any research.
You can buy but they have to be captively bred and from a proper source.

Suntan & Timmy having fun!!!!!!

©KC – Two very good photos taken recently of a ‘short-eared’ owl flying and hunting across the ‘Showfields/Mortons Leam’ areas

18 of us ‘Volunteers’ turned out today, in one of our ‘favourite’ areas….Peterborough Road & Kings Delph…. there was a phenomenal amount yet again with plenty more to still collect?
‘We’ collected 28 full bags of litter/rubbish/paper/fast food containers a bicycle and a fly-tipped box which contained various paperwork, plus the box had the addressee name on it – I have no problem naming and shaming this person from Peterborough….how and why did this box get to Kings Delph Lay-by, but I understand that this may well prejudice further investigations.

The SP group have collected well over 7 Tons – yes you read correctly 7 tons of litter rubbish from this area alone over the past 9+ years.
It is never ending, this area is the most regular of all of Whittlesey the group covers.
Fred Mills (Chairman) also litter-picks the area regularly.
Yes there is still plenty there and it will not go away, it can wait until the next event, we can only ‘devote’ so much time and effort.

Whilst doing my bit along Peterborough Road, I came across a ‘fresh’ dead fox, probably only dead for a hour or two.
The next event is on Saturday 26th March, meeting at the Ramsey Road Lay-by….why not join us for a bit of fresh air and gentle exercise.
Yes SP have planted several trees in the area, besides the 10,000 daffodils.

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

All photos ©KC & RG
 
B1040 today 11th March part damage           B1040 looking North

Reports that water near the ‘Dog-in-a-Doublet is very fast flowing across the road when
these pictures were taken this morning.

Click on pictures to enlarge All photos ©KC & RG

It was only going to be…a matter of time before ‘someone’ got ……off about the closures of
the B1040 and North Bank, the issue is not about when the road is closed but educating people that although the ‘road(s)’ maybe clear … tides and water management takes place very rapidly. The road(s) can become ‘flooded within a very short time and the EA knows when to respond. The frustration comes when the road(s) are clear and there is no warnings in place – The road(s) remain closed….. NO MONEY for electronic signage???
We have asked till blue in the face…..so now there will be costs repairing/replacing the Gates/Posts etc….
Pictures coming later …..

    
After many many months, our Library/Hub opens (briefly see poster above), with the Roof fixed (hopefully), new ceiling, new carpet and some re-arranging.
Invited to go and see this afternoon…..

As usual click on picture to enlarge

Cycle Tour of Cambridgeshire – Cllr E Dorling gave an update on the public consultation.
72% were in favour and 28% were against the event taking place in/around Whittlesey.
The event (if it happens) will take place in 2017
Cllr R Whitwell was congratulated on all his work involved thus far. The rest of the councillors were extremely ‘Happy’ with the way the public consultation had engaged.
The actual numbers of those who voted will be available on the WTC website at some stage.

Councillor surgeries (which has been tried before), would continue for the time being, the feeling was it makes councillors accessible and transparent with the public/electorate.

Reports from Street Scene & Environmental Team @ FDC

(Click on pictures to enlarge)