The result of the 2020 Welford on Avon by-election on 12 March was as follows:
Liberal Democrats: 472
Conservatives: 323
Independent: 231
Labour: 41
Greens: 15
Congratulations to Manuela for winning for the Liberal Democrats. She fought a sound campaign and, I am sure, will be an excellent representative for our community.
I was privileged to stand as the independent candidate. During the campaign, I met a large number of very fine people. The response I received was almost universally warm and I would have been proud to serve. I will consider carefully how I can do better in 3 years time!
The blog and social media channels have been quiet recently as I spent most of my time on foot talking to people across all of our parishes.
Recently, I spent a couple of days in and around Luddington. The relief roads proposed around the west and south west of Stratford-upon-Avon were the number one discussion point. I was recently asked my views in an email from a concerned Luddington resident. I publish an extract of my response here so that you all know what I think on the subject.
The relief roads are a high priority subject for all parishes, but Luddington, Clifford and Dodwell have a particular interest. My understanding is that there are 2 parts to the relief scheme.
The Western Relief Road, for which planning was refused, but over-turned on appeal, runs from a proposed roundabout at the bottom of Bordon Hill on the Evesham Road to the existing Wildmoor roundabout on the A46. This road will offer a route for most in our area to more easily access the A46, without the need to take the rat-runs through Shottery or Binton. That’s the upside. However, I am aware of some limitations and downsides. The road is the primary access road for developments proposed to the west of Shottery. As a result, there are 2 additional roundabouts en route and, I believe, speed restrictions that limit its utility. Residents of Luddington and Dodwell fear that traffic will back-up the Bordon Hill and along the Evesham Road, particularly during busy times in the morning, caused by through-traffic routing out along the Evesham Road and turning right. It will have right of way and cause significant congestion along the Evesham Road. This will directly inconvenience the residents of Dodwell, as it does now on occasion already. For Luddington, it is highly likely that motorists seeking to avoid the congestion will use Luddington as a rat-run. I share this view and foresee that this situation will only deteriorate as the development at Long Marston airfield progresses and attracts more commuters to the area.
The future of the South Western Relief Road is less certain. Currently, plans are for the road to start on the Shipston Road, running north east of Clifford Chambers village, over an elevated section across the river flood plain and crossing river and railway with bridges. Finally it routes along the western edge of the racecourse before joining the Bordon Hill roundabout to be constructed as part of the scheme above. Notwithstanding the slightly faster journey times for those living in Meon Vale and on the proposed Long Marston Airfield development, I share the view of most of those I have spoken to, that this scheme offers little benefit to those in our area. In short it was poorly conceived and will be a waste of money if pursued. Although I am of the view that a solution will be necessary to handle the monumental increase in traffic that will ensue when the Long Marston airfield development is complete, I am not convinced that this lies in pumping additional traffic into an already overloaded traffic scheme.
I will be voting against this scheme and will encourage council to pursue sustainable alternatives.
Given the anticipated increase in traffic volume across our area, logic dictates that I must support measures to reduce traffic volume and speed through all of our villages. I would like to see reductions in speed limits and I will support Parish Councils in whichever traffic calming measures they prefer. I anticipate objection from Highways on the grounds that there is no lighting, but a challenge to this stance is long overdue.
This morning I visited Fraser Way in my own village of Welford on Avon. I bumped into one of the residents who highlighted a concern; the state of footpaths in the village.
With the recent storms we have endured, the ground in and around our villages is saturated. Many of our footpaths are quagmires and for many are impassible. Even my dog, Alfie, has been tiptoeing around the edges of the worst affected areas.
Footpaths in Welford on Avon are being re-surfaced
The good news in Welford is that the parish council have started a programme of re-surfacing the footpaths in the village. This has seen a dramatic improvement in our ability to access our footpaths, particularly at this time of year.
The resident I spoke to on Fraser Way highlighted another issue. He pointed out that some of his elderly neighbours had difficulty getting to the bus-stop. First, the volume of traffic on the High Street made it difficult for them to cross the road in safety. Second, the footpath at the side of the road was narrow and un-even.
I share his concern. It is paramount that our elderly residents feel safe getting about in our villages, otherwise they will become isolated and lonely. I will campaign to ensure that our footpaths are accessible to all; including those who are less sure-footed, or use mobility scooters or wheelchairs.
I want to see measures taken to reduce traffic volume and speed. This will require co-ordination between different levels of local government, from parish to county. I will be fighting to ensure that the right people make the right choices and take the right action to achieve this.
This afternoon was spent in Atherstone on Stour on the easterly edge of our ward. The people I met were willing to take the time to talk about their lives and their community. Some were long time residents, others had arrived recently, but they all had one thing in common; they were all warm and welcoming.
Like its neighbour, Preston on Stour, Atherstone is a part of the Alscot estate and many of the homes are owned by the estate, rented by the residents.
The river location does threaten flooding for some of the residents. Mercifully, most properties in the village are above the level for flood risk, but I noticed that some properties had home made flood barriers for their front doors. Alscot estate also provides sand bags for residents to use.
I left with the impression of a close knit community with a warm and friendly outreach. I would be proud to represent them on the district council.
It took a while to get my thoughts organised around the campaign ahead of the Welford on Avon by-election on 12 March 2020, but I finally seem to be making progress. The flyers arrived today and I spent an hour this evening in a chilly Meon Vale slotting them through letter boxes.
