The County Council have new plans to ease traffic congestion on the Harborough Rd between the Cock Hotel and Welford Rd. Proposals include carriageway widening to allow easier traffic flow, more effective traffic signals and the re-positioning of pedestrian crossings. Congestion in this area has led to it being declared an air quality amangement area due to the pollution. Anything that can be done to improve the flow of traffic while also making better provision for pedestrians and cyclists will be welcome.

Have your say on the proposals at one of the public exhibitions atKingsthorpe Methodist Church. Friday Sept. 18th 11am-2pm, Saturday September 19th 11am-2pm and Thursday 24th September 4pm-7pm.

Plans for the Kingsthorpe Rec. play facilities, funded with a £49,000  ‘play builders’ grant are now available for consultation. They are on display every day from 24th-29th August at the boooking office on Kingsthorpe Rec., at Kingsthorpe Library from 7th September to 3rd October and at Wardington Court of the Welford Rd from 5pm-9pm on 6th October.

Local young people came up with the ideas and a number of firms have come up with alternative propsals. These include rope bridges, climbing nets and a tunnel slide. The final design will be selected in November with a view to the work being completed in spring next year.

The Council are consulting on plans for dog control orders on selected open spaces in the area. For most parks, this will make no difference at all, for some allotments, cemeteries and other places dogs will have to be kept on a lead, and in a very few areas, like bowling greens and childrens play areas, dogs will not be allowed at all. The places where it is proposed dogs should be kept on a lead in our area are:-

Harborough Rd. cemetery.
Kingsthorpe/Thornton Park allotments
Studland Rd allotments
Welford Rd allotments

In addition dogs will be completely excluded from the bowling greens and tennis courts in Kingsthorpe Recreation ground.

Let Richard or Sally know if you have any views on these proposals.

Looking for something for the Kids to do over the long summer holiday? There’s local courses in Badminton, Golf, Netball, Girls football, Athletics and Cricket at reasonable prices

In addition theres multi-sport activities on the Racecourse (meet at the changing rooms) and Kingsthorpe Rec (meet at the booking office) from 28th July to 22nd August for 5 to 12 year olds. 2 sessions per day 10am-12pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Sessions are £1 per child or 50p if they have a leisure card. For more information contact Northampton Borough Council’s Sports Development Team on 01604 837774, email sportsdevelopment@northampton.gov.uk or visit their website www.northampton.gov.uk/sports.

Kingsthorpe College Saturday May 10th. 11am-3pm.

Sports clubs and healthy initiatives will be showcasing what is available in the area from rugby to hockey, ceroc to wrestling and netball to tennis.

Tethered hot air balloon flights, bouncy castles, football jugglers, skate park, circus skills, soccer shoot out, climbing wall, demonstrations and freebies, free health ckecks, makeovers and more!

Free entry and parking, healthy catering on site all day. For more information contact Debbie Groom on 716106 x1219.

Traffic in Kingsthorpe is polluting the air above acceptable levels set by the government.

The Borough Council have declared the Harborough Rd, from the Cock Hotel to past the Frog & Fiddler, and Kingsthorpe Grove on the Primary School to the Cock Hotel as an ‘air quality management area’.

The Council have been measuring levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in this area, and they have been higher then the recommended levels. The Council will now have to prepare within 18 months an Air Qulaity Action plan and any decisions, such as new developments, will have to take into account their impact upon the air quality in the area.

This is not the first Air Quality Management Area in Northamnpton, there are others on the M1, Victoria Promenade and St. James, but traffic levels are growing fast in Northampton, and we all have to do something to reduce traffic congestion if the air in the middle of Kingsthorpe is going to be safe to breathe. It isn’t just about new developments, it’s about all our lifestyles. Do you need the car for your next journey?

Feeling a little bit heavier after the Christmas break?

Want a new start in 2008? Then read on…….

Recommencing w/c 7th Jan Kingsthorpe College Fit Club presents:

TUESDAYS HEALTH WALK 9.30am for 30-45 mins
Turn up at main reception to walk in a sociable group over Bradlaugh Fields. Refreshments available

TUESDAYS YOGA 4.20 – 5.30pm DRAMA STUDIO
WEDNESDAYS TAI CHI 4.20 – 5.30pm DANCE STUDIO
THURSDAYS TONE ‘N’ FIT 4.20 – 5.05pm DRAMA STUDIO

BOOK NOW! Call Debbie Groom on 716106 x1219
£2.50 per session or term memberships available. Term 4 membership per class = £26.00 till 4th April

COOKING FOR HEALTH ADULT LEARNING COURSE
Commencing Wednesday 27th Feb 7-9pm for 6 weeks at Kingsthorpe College there is a Cooking for Health Course beginning.

Feel tired, run down, lacking in energy, want to lose weight or have some new ideas for cooking for you or your family? This course aims to provide information on key ingredients, preparation & cooking methods, easy to make recipes, meal plans and lifestyle tips

£40 with subsidised rates available.
For more information or to book call Adult Learning now on 01604 237418

Kingsthorpe College Health Walk
Tuesdays 9.30am
Meet outside Kingsthorpe College Reception, Boughton Green Road
30 - 45 minute walk Come to socialise, breathe the fresh air, reap the health benefits and have a good walk!