Dropped Kerbs Working Party in Action
at Monmouth Road
Wareham in Bloom Bazaar -
a delighted customer!
Further to the report in last month's 'Wareham Directory', work began on 8th February to install new electronic crossing gates and fencing to make the pedestrian level crossing at Wareham station safer to use. The un-gated crossing has been identified by Network Rail as (allegedly) one of the most dangerous in the country due to the problem of people ignoring the warning lights. Network Rail, Dorset County Council and the local community including Wareham Town Council are working together to find a safe, permanent solution. Until a new way to cross the railway on foot, bike or mobility scooter can be agreed, the temporary gates and fencing will ensure that people can continue to safely use the existing crossing. The crossing is supervised by transport police and private security guards on a daily basis.
The new electronic gates can be opened when it is safe to cross and closed when a train is coming and will be controlled manually by a guard, with power supplied from the signal box. New palisade fencing is being erected around the crossing site to provide a safe area for people to wait. The measures include a cabin to provide shelter for the guard and enclose the gate controls. The construction work was expected to take 6-8 weeks with no disruption to users. During this period it is hoped that repairs to frost damage of the adjacent footbridge, currently closed, will be carried out.
Discussions are continuing over the design of a safe, long-term solution. Any new arrangement would need to ensure that a pedestrian/cycle link is maintained between the Northport area and Wareham town centre and be safe and accessible for people with disabilities, older people and people with push chairs. Options being looked at include a safe cycleway/footway alongside the A351 Wareham bypass and a new footbridge compliant with Disability Discrimination Act criteria. A meeting has taken place between the County Council and a Wareham Town Council working party to discuss the crossing. This included making arrangements for discussions to be held soon with representatives of local disability groups to address the needs and concerns of all members of the community, especially those with limited mobility. Further updates will be given on this matter as work progresses.
Wareham Dropped Kerbs Working Party
At a site meeting on Friday 12th February, the new community-based 'Dropped Kerbs Working Party' had a site meeting with a representative of Dorset County Council Highways. The group walked from the town centre to the health centre via West Street and Monmouth Road, returning via Streche Road, and identified several areas where remedial work could be undertaken to existing dropped kerbs, or new kerbs installed or even deleted as unnecessary. The overall aim is to provide - as a minimum - a safe route for the disabled, partially sighted/blind and those with pushchairs and mobility scooters from the railway station to the dental practices and on to the health centre/hospital. With funding obtainable from Dorset County Council, the group's recommendations have been noted and we await the outcome as to what can be achieved to provide this essential upgrade for our community.
Members of the public who are wondering where the Town Council notice board at Bere Road has gone are informed that the board had to be taken down for safety reasons. It was many years old and had given good service but was gradually rotting away and becoming difficult to maintain with doors not closing properly. The Council has earmarked some funding for a new board and will be looking at options at the Amenities Committee meeting, as I write, on 24th February. A new board is likely to be erected in April, at the start of the new financial year.
Planning Applications - Wareham Town
Following consultation at Wareham Town Council's Planning and Transport Committee, notification has been received of the following Wareham applications now determined by the District Council:
6/2009/074 plus 6/2009/075: Sandford Lane (railway goods yard): erect lobby/porch and install ventilation cowls to existing goods yard - Approval
6/2009/0596: North Street (4), Wareham: change of use of 1st/2nd floors to 3 flats - Withdrawn
6/2009/0716 plus 6/2009/0717: Pound Lane (Pound House): erect double garage, walls and steps (revised scheme) - Approval
6/2009/0719: Swineham Lane (Swineham Bungalow): erect single storey extension - Approval
6/2008/0316: Worgret Road (32, 34, 36 and 42) Sever rear gardens and erect 5 detached dwellings with garages - Approval
Wareham in Bloom Fundraising
A fundraising bazaar was held on 30th January and an excellent £354 was raised for this year's efforts. More volunteers are always needed, can YOU help? We would LOVE to win a FOURTH GOLD IN A ROW THIS YEAR! Any volunteers? Contact - Town Clerk: Rod Curtis .
Wareham Town Council Contact:
Town Clerk 01929 550771,
Admin Office 01929 553006 including all bookings of the Corn Exchange, Council Chamber or Recreation Ground Sports Fields.
Please also see our Wareham Town Council Website: www.wareham-tc.gov.uk for information on many topics of interest to the local community.
