Published March 18th, 2010
Debate the future of our town centre
When the Lib Dems were elected to run Northampton Borough Council in 2007, we made the future of our town centre one of our top priorities.
For too long, Labour and Conservative Councillors, backed by their colleagues in Westminster, have neglected our town centre by allowing ever more out-of-town retail development, raising car parking charges and failing to invest in our town to attract the businesses, jobs and growth we need.
Since the Lib Dems’ Guildhall election win in 2007, we have frozen shoppers’ parking charges, reduced prices on Sundays, invested in the Market Square and signed an agreement for a massive expansion of the Grosvenor Centre.
Now our policies are coming under fire, with Conservative Councillors, supported by local MP, Brian Binley, opposing our firm stand against yet more out-of-town retail.
Conservatives say we should encourage supermarket developments outside our town centre that would destroy the town’s remaining small and medium-sized businesses and allow a handful of multi-nationals to take control of our shopping. In doing so, they are questioning our plans to redevelop the Grosvenor Centre and nearby Greyfriars Bus Station to provide a shopping centre fit for the 21st Century.
Lib Dems at the Guildhall have decided that it is time for a full and frank debate about the future of our town centre. We have invited Brian Binley MP to an open debate. He has accepted our invitation and will go head-to-head with Lib Dem Planning Spokesperson, Richard Church.
The debate will be completely free flowing. Anyone is welcome to attend and ask a question. With big differences between Liberal Democrat and Conservative plans for Northampton, this is sure to be a lively debate.
Places are limited so if you would like to attend, please email towncentredebate@northampton.gov.uk to reserve up to two tickets.
This is a vitally important moment for the future of our town. I hope you will be able to come along and join the debate.
Published March 18th, 2010
Cycle path for Thornton park
The County Council are planning a new cycle route through Thornton (Kingsthorpe) park from Mill Lane to Harborough rd. Their proposed route would see a new path from opposite Osborne rd across the aprk, skirting the walled garden and then to Mill Lane via the old car park. The route would be lit. Richard has asked the council to consider an alternative route through the Park, alongside the allotments to join the path from Studland rd to Mill Lane. The route would also help pedestrians, who currently struggle over the earth mound by the Studland Rd footpath.
Published March 6th, 2010
KINGSTHORPE 200
Kingsthorpe Focus number 200 is out now. Started over 30 years ago by Tony Rounthwaite, it has kept people in Kingsthorpe up to date with local issues and actions by the Lib Dem Focus Team.
A small event to celebrate the 200th issue of Focus was held in the village. Tony Rounthwaite came down from Northumberland to join us and is photographed with parliamentary candidate Andrew Simpson, Sally Beardsworth and Richard Church with copies of all 200 issues of Kingsthorpe Focus.
Published February 21st, 2010
Harborough Rd work begins
A major scheme to replace ageing gas pipes and improve traffic flow on the Harborough Rd. has begun.
Roadworks in Harborough Road are underway and will last for the next three months as National Grid replace their ageing iron pipes with modern plastic ones, and the County Council make improvements to the Cock Hotel junction.
The company brought forward its timescale for the replacement project following talks with Northamptonshire County Council, and it is now timed to make sure it does not clash with improvement works the council is planning to carry out in the area later in the year.
The County Council’s Kingsthorpe Corridor project will focus on sections of road at The Cock Hotel Junction, from Kingsthorpe Grove to Kingsland Avenue and the Welford Road/ Harborough Road Junction.
The council scheme will include carriageway widening to allow easier traffic flow, more effective traffic signals to minimise congestion and the re-positioning of pedestrian crossings.
These improvements are welcome, and it is good to hear that for a change the council and the utility companies are talking to one another to minimide disruption. Inevitably there will be hold-ops though. The national grid say they won’t have to do this again for 80 years! Sorry we won’t be around to check.
Published February 21st, 2010
Kingsthorpe Meadows- Safe it last
Congratulations to the NN2 Residents association for the completed purchase of 14 acres of land at Kingsthorpe Meadows. It isn’t all of what they wanted, due to the intervention of a Labour councillor who outbid them at auction. But the hard work of the committee and the patience and support of all of those who contributed to the fund have made the purchase of land closest to the houses possible.
With the land now in community ownership, work can not be done to improve it and keep it clean and tidy for the benefit of wildlife and local people.
Published November 28th, 2009
Kingsthorpe Rec playground finished by the spring
Children and young people from the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton will soon be able to play to their hearts content on an exciting new adventure play area.
The final design for the equipment has now been chosen by the project delivery team that that work in partnership with the borough council’s Kingsthorpe Neighbourhood Management Board. Pupils from the area, along with the Kingsthorpe Youth Forum, came up with the original ideas. The area has been designed with 8 to 13 year olds in mind and is scheduled to be installed on Kingsthorpe Recreation Ground for a spring opening.
Over the past two months, members of the local community have been giving their views on five different designs and these have helped to shape the final plans. The final design, by Milton Keynes based company Kompan, is a large rope climbing structure in an assault course-style layout.
It includes a tunnel slide, a trampoline and various levels of nets, which will allow children to play at different heights. It also has a supernova roundabout; a rotating disk, which can be used as a traditional roundabout or like a treadmill, and a pendulum swing, which can accommodate several users at once. The play area is specially designed to blend into its setting on Kingsthorpe Recreation Ground, with the main rope structure being made of timber posts and neutral coloured rope. It will be located next to the existing children’s play area. The final design is available to view on the Northampton Borough Council website at www.northampton.gov.uk/kingsthorpenm.
£49,000 of Government funding was awarded to Northampton Borough Council and Kingsthorpe Neighbourhood Management Board for the adventure play area. Northamptonshire Police and County Councillors representing the wards of Kingsthorpe, Boughton Green and St David’s have also boosted the fund by contributing money from their community budgets. Further funding support will be applied for from Kingsthorpe Manor Trust.
Chairman of Kingsthorpe Neighbourhood Management Board, Cllr Jane Hollis, added: “This is an exciting project providing young people with challenging new play equipment to their own designs!”
Work should begin on the play area in the new year and will be officially opened in the Spring with a community launch celebration day. Local residents who would like more information about the play area can contact Sara Kennedy at Northampton Borough Council on 01604 837073 or skennedy@northampton.gov.uk.
Published October 28th, 2009
Crackdown on inconsiderate parking
Incorrectly and inconsiderately parked vehicles cause a significant number of problems on our roads and pavements, from traffic jams to serious accidents and obstructing the emergency services. People living in the Kingsthorpe area are very concerned about the problem, so the Kingsthorpe Neighbourhood Management group are working in partnership with Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire County Council to educate thoughtless drivers and to crack down on those people who persistently offend.
The Inconsiderate Parking Project starts on Monday, November 2 – warning notes will be left under the windscreen wiper of any vehicle found parked in an inconsiderate way and a letter will be sent to the registered owner. Through these methods, drivers will be educated on the dangers and consequences of inconsiderate parking. If police or parking enforcement officers come across the same vehicle again within the managed area, a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice or Penalty Charge Notice will be issued on the spot. Drivers who persistently park badly, dangerously or illegally could also face their vehicle being towed away.
Double parking can block access for emergency vehicles, reduce sightlines for other drivers and cause accidents and congestion. Parking on footways can force pedestrians to step off the pavement and makes getting around particularly difficult for wheelchair users, those with visual impairments, the elderly and people with prams.
The targeted action will rotate around zones in Kingsthorpe every six weeks for a minimum of six months. Anybody who spots a vehicle that is inconsiderately parked in Kingsthorpe, Boughton Green or St David can help the partnership by reporting the location and vehicle by calling 03000 1133.
Published September 12th, 2009
Kingsthorpe Village sign
A new sign on the village green depicting Kingsthorpe’s history has been formally unveiled by Sally Beardsworth. Two and a half years of planning, designing and creating the sign involved builders, blacksmiths, artists and stonemasons and the local community. Children from Kingsthorpe Primary school put together a time capsule encased in the sign.
The sign was funded by donations from the Kingsthorpe Manor and Town Trust and Sally Beardsworth’s ‘empowering councillors’ fund.
Published September 10th, 2009
New traffic plans for Harborough Rd
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.
Published September 10th, 2009
Heritage Open days- Places to visit in Kingsthorpe this weekend
Heritage Open days this year are turning into a heritage open weekend with historic places all over Northampton open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11th-13th September.
In Kingsthorpe, there will be an exhibition on Thornton Park in the Community Centre in Mill Lane on Saturday and Sunday 12th & 13th September 2.30pm-4.30pm. Trinity Church, Balmoral Rd, one of last built by local architect Matthew Holding, will open Friday 2pm-4pm and Saturday 10am-6pm. St. John the Baptist, our ancient village church will open 2pm-5pm Friday, 10am-5pm saturday and noon- 6pm on Sunday.
Throughout Northampton, other building are open, with an antiques fair on the Market Square and a family history exhibition in the ex servicemen’s club in Sheep St. For more information visit the Northampton Heritage Open Days website. There is much more to see in Northampton than the town is ever given credit for!
