Published March 4th, 2008
Air pollution in Kingsthorpe
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?
Published February 3rd, 2008
Queens Park Post Office to Close
Despite public opposition it has been confirmed that Queens Park Post Office will close.
Clearly by announcing these closures earlier than originally planned the Post Office has ignored the case put by local people to keep these offices open. The whole consultation process appears to have been a sham – less than a month has been taken to look at people’s responses and decide which looks suspiciously like a decision that had already been made.
It seems that the Post Office was simply running a ‘numbers game’ where people don’t matter. How hollow their current advertising slogan now sounds.
The Labour Government clearly wanted to close 2,500 across the Country and that means closing offices in Northampton despite the strong cases made to keep them open. Labour MP Sally Keeble has supported her Governments plans for the Post Office in Parliament yet campaigned against the closures in Northampton. Clearly she has misled people by making them think there was a chance to change her Government’s plans – when there was not. She needs to explain her position.
Local Lib Dem Councillors will continue to do all we can to fight these closure plans.
Published January 23rd, 2008
Buckton fields- Residents open day
Whitehills and Spring Park Residents Association are holding an open event at the Pastures Community Centre on Saturday 28th January from 1.40-5.30pm. The open day will include a letter writing advice centre to help people put on paper their concerns about plans to build 1,250 homes at Buckton Fields. There will also be refreshments, a supervised play area and some fun activities.
The address to send views on the planning application is Ken Thursfield, Development Control Manager, Planning Services, Daventry District Council, Lodge Rd, Daventry, Northamptonshire NN11 4FP. Quote reference no. DA/2007/1400.
Published November 23rd, 2007
1,250 Homes for Buckton Fields
Ensign Ltd, the developers who want to build on Buckton Fields near Whitehills have announed a slight reduction in the number of homes they plan, from 1,500 to 1,250. They also claim to be seeking to keep the Smiths farm shop.
Ensign are submitting a separate application for just part of the site, the eastern or Harbough Rd end. Plans will be on public display at an exhibition at the Obelisk Centre, Obelisk Rise, on 12th December 2pm-9pm.
Plans can also be viwed on the developers website
This application will be determined by Daventry District Council and objections should be sent to them.
Published November 17th, 2007
Queens Park Post Office to Close
Queens Park Post Office on Kingsley Rd is one of 8 Post Offices in Northampton set to close. Queens Park is used by many residents in Kingsthorpe, and is a result of Government policy to close thousands of post offices nationally. Lib Dem councillors are campaigning strongly against these closures. Sign our online petition on Andrew Simpson’s website here.
Published November 12th, 2007
Swimming Pool for Kingsthorpe
The Borough and County Councils are working together on plans for a new swimming pool in Kingsthorpe. With school pools closed at Kingsthorpe Community College and Kingsthorpe Grove School, and no pool at the University, there is a need for swimming facilities in our area for children and adults alike.
There is a way to go yet in identifying the funding and the site, but the Focus Team strongly support plans for a swimming pool in our area. The County Council have decided to undertake a feasibility study to look into the options.
Published October 25th, 2007
Winter roads maintenance
Who knows if we will have a proper winter, but the County Council has announced its winter gritting schedule for 2007/08.
Key roads will be salted as a precaution when there is a risk of ice or snow. In Kingsthorpe the key roads include Harborough Rd, Welford Rd, Kingsthorpe Grove, Balfour Rd, Mill Lane, Boughton Green Rd, Acre Lane, Holly Lodge Drive, Obelisk Rise, Eastern Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, Bective Rd and Nursery lane.
More roads will be salted during prolongued adverse conditions. These include Redland Drive, Birch Barn way, Chalcombe Avenue, Hinton Rd, and Yelvertoft Rd.
More information is available from streetdoctor@northamptonshire.gov.uk Tel: 0845 6011113
