Whitnash Community Forums

Whitnash's first community forum was held on the 24th September.

WE ASKED, YOU SAID, WE DID

YOU SAID WHAT MADE YOU MAD, SAD AND GLAD ABOUT LIVING IN WHITNASH WAS:
• some bus services could be improved, especially to serve areas including Mullard Drive and Brunel Close, and to take people from Whitnash to Newbold Common
• re-siting of bus stops should be considered
• there is little to do in the afternoons – an informal drop-in would be very welcome
• the bridleway which joins Golf Lane to Fosseway is in poor condition and overgrown in spite of maintenance – dangerous for horse riders, walkers and cyclists
• litter collects in the overgrown hedges
• the blood testing service is difficult to access via public transport
• there is a need to improve safety on zebra crossings – maybe by installing pelican crossings, or traffic lights
• dangerous parking, for example in St Catherine’s Close
• parking on pavements causes the surface to break up and become dangerous
• grass cutting could be improved
• accessing community hall at night

AS A RESULT OF WHAT YOU SAID:
‘Some bus services could be improved, especially to serve areas including Mullard Drive and Brunel Close, and to take people from Whitnash to Newbold Common’

We followed this up with the County Council’s Transport Operating Group and had the following response:

Improving bus services The main bus service through Whitnash is Stagecoach G1. This is the most frequent bus service in Warwickshire. It is operated without Council funding, which means that the route and timetable is decided by the bus operator. On any occasion the company has been approached about varying some of the journeys to serve other parts of Whitnash or Bishops Tachbrook, it has declined, saying the success of the service has been built on using a standard easy to understand route. The alternative for people who cannot access G1 easily is Flexibus service 508, which is timetabled to serve Mullard Drive, but will also go off-route in the area for passengers with mobility difficulties. Any improvements to this service would be dependant on the availability of additional funding.

Bus service from Whitnash to Newbold Common
In 2002, using funding from the developers of Warwick Gates, a regular service was introduced linking Warwick, Warwick Gates, Whitnash, Leamington town centre and Newbold Common. Extensive surveys revealed negligible usage of the service to/from Newbold Common and it was subsequently withdrawn from beyond Campion Terrace on that evidence.

Re-siting of bus stops should be considered
Any specific requests will be considered. Issues such as road safety, proximity to properties, distances between stops and the availability of lamp columns on which to hang the bus stop flag are all issues which affect siting. We will find out how to make these request and let you have the information ready for the next meeting.

A dis-used bus-stop on Whitnash Road has been re-instated, it is situated between Halls Close and Palmer Road on the north side of the road.

‘There is little to do in the afternoons – an informal drop-in would be very welcome’

We followed this up, and as a result we have liaised with Cllr Kitty Crutchley, who had a meeting with our Community Development Worker Kath Bannister, Kath Bannister advised her on how to get the group up and running and raise funds. Cllr Crutchley has applied for funding from Warwickshire County Council and Age Concern for to start up the group. The Club is due to start in January on Friday afternoons; Cllr Crutchley is in the process of promoting this new group locally. Thank you for your support and hard work Kitty.

'The standard of grass cutting could be improved’
We contacted Ian Coker, Head of Neighbourhood Services at Warwick District Council who advised that the Council’s contractors, Glendale, have struggled to cut grass to as high a quality as expected as a result of the wet and warm summer this year. The Council monitors the contractors carefully, and action is taken when they fail to provide the standard expected.

‘Litter collects in the overgrown hedges’
Ian Coker, Head of Neighbourhood Services at Warwick District Council advised us that the Council supports community litter picks and can provide equipment to assist. If you let us know where and when you want to carry out a community litter pick, and how many people are wanting to get involved, we can ask the Council to provide the advice, equipment and support necessary.

‘The bridleway which joins Golf Lane to Fosseway is in poor condition and overgrown in spite of maintenance – dangerous for horse riders, walkers and cyclists’
We contacted the County Council officer responsible for maintenance of Bridleways for a reply. He has informed us that currently the rail company have applied for a temporary closure of the bridleway in order to carry out some maintenance of the bridge, surfacing and clearing work. The work is going to be carried out from 8th of December for a period of 8 weeks. He will visit the site and will meet the contractor to discuss clearance work on the lower stretches of the path nearer to the Fosse. Any future difficulties residents have about bridleways or public rights of way can be emailed directly to paths@warwickshire.gov.uk, or of course, you can always go to your local Customer Service Centre in the Library at Whitnash to report any issue you have about Council services, or to get advice.

‘We have difficulties accessing the blood testing service at Warwick Hospital via public transport’
We have contacted various people in various departments to try and resolve this long standing issue – this has resulted in the Chair of the Forum, Councillor Bernard Kirton, writing a letter on the Forum’s behalf to Anna Walker, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission, asking for the matter to be investigated. We are waiting for a response.

‘There is dangerous parking, for example in St Catherine’s Close’
The Police will give an update on progress at the next meeting, but they have been monitoring this situation closely and taking action when necessary.