Ipswich Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats in Ipswich have a proud history, providing leadership in both ideas and action on the Borough and County Councils.
Our Liberal Democrat Councillors
Our current Liberal Democrat Councillors are Oliver Holmes and Tim Lockington, Ipswich Borough Councillors for St Margaret's Ward, and Inga Lockington, Ipswich Borough Councillor for St Margaret's Ward and Suffolk County Councillor for St Margaret's and Westgate.
ASKING, LISTENING, LEARNING, ACTING
Putting People and the Environment First
FOCUS ON IPSWICH
Items from our recent "Focus" newsletters
AN IPSWICH TO BE PROUD OF?
PAVEMENTS
The Council wants us to be proud of Ipswich yet, for many of us, pride begins in the street where we live.
The County Council (SCC) is responsible for street trees, grass verges, blocked drains, and the grass and weeds that invade the pavements creating hazard for pedestrians.
The Borough Council (IBC) is responsible for keeping pavements free of litter and detritus (dead vegetable matter) but not the plants and pavement overgrowths (skirts) unless they are killed off by SCC treatment and become detritus.
Pavement weeds and spreading growths are hazardous for pedestrians. These have got out of hand in many areas.
Last year, County Highways used acetic acid to try and clear the pavements but this needed more frequent spraying than the Council was prepared to provide.
This year the County Council have decided to return to using glyphosate, despite concerns about effects on biodiversity and human health.
• Our cash-strapped Councils are no longer prepared to look after our pavements as they used to.
• We know that some residents clear pavement weeds from outside their homes.
Should this be encouraged and supported by our Councils' staff? Let us know what you think.
GREEN VERGES AND ROUNDABOUTS
Unmanaged overgrowth of pavements and green verges became a real problem last year after IBC gave up on grass-cutting and County Highways were too slow to increase their maintenance “safety” cuts.
County Councillor, Inga Lockington has learned that Grass Verge Cutting will start in St. Margaret’s Ward on the 18th of March and we should have three cuts a year (half the number that was in place before).
Suffolk Highways has made it clear that these cuts are only for safety reasons rather than to make our Town look better.
In Suffolk most Borough/District and Parish Councils top up the County Council’s “safety” cuts to improve the appearance and biodiversity of Highway green spaces. IBC has chosen not to.
Last year, the wild-flower planting of Westerfield Road roundabout became overwhelmed by unmanaged grass and scrub growth. This was not only unsightly but a major safety hazard.
A number of residents felt compelled to cut the verges outside their homes when things got out of control.
We must do better this year. Our Councils must learn how to work with street-proud residents so that we can build and care for local environments that we can all be proud of.
FOCUS COMMENT
It is Public knowledge that Council finances across the Country are very hard-pressed and some Councils (such as Birmingham) are effectively bankrupt.
If our Borough and County Councils are no longer able to look after our streets as they used to they should be open and honest about this, work with street-proud residents and communities so that, together, we can create attractive and safe streets that we can all be proud of.
IPSWICH GARDEN SUBURB UPDATE
Henley Gate Development: we understand that Crest Nicholson, the main Developer, has paused work on new housing units due to the downturn in the market.
Fonnereau Neighbourhood: a detailed application for 198 homes for Phase I has been submitted by Bellway.
This is for the part of the site closest to Westerfield Village, north of current housing in Westerfield Road.
The whole site has a clay base. We have discussed with Bellway our neighbourhood’s concern about water and flood management especially noting the exceptional rainfall recently.
Additional traffic in north Ipswich is a major concern.
The Visitor Centre in the Country Park is nearing completion and once the weather improves, will be well worth a visit.
However:-
• The pedestrian railway bridge is still not open over a year since it was installed.
• The Fonnereau Way public footpath is still diverted.
• We are pushing for the works to be finished but we are told that Crest Nicholson, IBC, the Highway Authority and Network Rail have still to agree outstanding issues.
We have raised our concerns with the Borough that people have been seen accessing the pedestrian bridge even though it has not yet been cleared as safe.
BROOMHILL POOL - an end to the decay?
Finally, with the support of IBC and the Heritage Lottery, sufficient money has been pledged to allow the long-delayed work to re-open Broomhill Pool to go ahead.
Bringing this important but derelict site back to its proper use is really good news for the area. However, a strong travel plan is necessary to ensure that a thriving Pool does not result in a parking nightmare for the local Community.
