LOCAL WARD NEWS

1.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th May 2009

:: Supporting Iris Brickfield

Greg, Doreen and Karen are supporting the new Friends of Iris Brickfield Park group who are working to support improvements, new planting, and community events - get in touch if you would like to join in.

:: Flooding problems

The St Albans Crescent subway was unfortunately subject to flooding again recently. Doreen helped to ensure a very quick reaction from council workmen who pumped the tunnel out the same morning.

Engineers have agreed to investigate this long-running technical problem involving a

CCTV survey of the drain system under the Coast Road to trace the blockage.

:: Conservation area

Karen is supporting residents who would like the council to investigate the feasibility of making "Heaton Square" a conservation area, covering the streets between the Coast Road, Heaton Road, Chillingham Rd, and Cartington Terrace.

This would potentially help to preserve the Edwardian character of the area & deter inappropriate development.

:: High Heaton survey

Thanks to those residents who responded to our recent residents survey on the High

Heaton estate - we were delighted with the huge response.

Many people cited concerns over parking particularly at the upper end of the estate and this is useful "evidence" to justify a possible parking scheme in future.

:: Sainsbury's consider comments

Greg and Doreen are pleased that Sainsbury's have taken on board our representations over their proposed store redevelopment, including installing new traffic light junction systems to improve safety.

A planning application is expected over the summer.

:: Spinney safety improvements

Greg has taken action to secure safety improvements for residents of the Spinney.

The 14-storey block will see improvements to the stairwells, whilst the lifts are slated for replacement over the next 18 months.

:: Ward grants awarded

Karen and Greg recently allocated ward budget funding to several"good causes" in the ward including days out for residents of the Spinney, a reading promotion scheme at the Library, and Easter and summer play schemes across the ward.

"If you have a good idea which could benefit from funding, let us know as we'd love to help," says Karen.