Spruceup aftermath – path disintegration

One of the problems with the Council, in good faith coming in and doing work which should have been done years ago is that you find out that perhaps better maintenance might have been cheaper.

This is the main path from Framwellgate Moor down to Pity Me following the work to cut the grass back to the original path edge.

I expected it to be a bit worn but what should have made the area look better has been commented on by some residents as highlighting the need for a newly resurfaced footpath and safety repairs. Trouble is, it looks like the pin kerbs at the edge of the path may have rotted away, and a simple job is now going to be more costly.

I’ve passed the photos on to senior officers at the Council, where I imagine the highways department is a bit upset with the Clean and Green department for showing up the state of the path!

Can you spare a few quid to help Jade Gadd and her family

Jade lives in Newton Hall with her parents and has a genetic condition which causes her joints to spontaneously dislocate at any time.

They need alterations to their house so she has proper access to it.

We all see adverts and news stories asking for help for people across the UK or even overseas. On this occasion we can actually help someone who lives just round the corner.

The Council has so far agreed to fund part of the works through funding provided via the government, however the overall cost is far higher than the maximum grant available. I am currently pushing for further help and to get things moving. However we need to do more.

There’s more information on the funding page about the conditions Jade is living in and the work needed. The have so far raised over £8000 but need to get closer to £30000!

Link to fundraising page: https://gogetfunding.com/disabled-house-renovations-for-jade/

 

Flytipping – cracking down across our area – Can you help?

Do you walk around our area a lot? Please help us spot flytipping and rubbish so we can get it cleared up.

On a  walkabout this week from Pity Me to Framwellgate Moor I found a fair bit of stuff dumped off the old Wagonway between Pity Me and Framwellgate Moor.

This has been reported and we expect the Council will sort it out fairly quickly.

Any potholes out there? Help us get them fixed

In the last week we have requested action at the Arnison Centre roundabout, on Carr House Drive, Bek Road and Rothbury Road in Newton Hall all for pothole repairs, and on Pity Me Front Street where the road is cracking up.

Of course we don’t think these are as bad as some we saw in another area of the County last week. See picture below of some pretty deep holes filled with rainwater. Needless to say the area has Labour councillors!

We think we are pretty proactive in chasing up road and footpath defects, so if you spot anything like this in our area we would be surprised, but please do let us know.

We think the Council needs to invest far more local funding into road and footpath repairs. It is one of the top complaints we get and as Lib Dem councillors we will continue to push for action.

Problem households causing major rubbish and vermin headache

There are a small number of problem households in the area causing real concern to residents.

As this picture shows it is pretty serious. One such property in Pity Me has been an issue for many months, with three residents taken to court and issued fines, yet the problem continues.

The Council is working hard to address problems at this and other properties following repeated requests from local residents and your Lib Dem councillors. This kind of behaviour cannot and will not be tolerated and we are chasing up the Council regularly where an issue is not dealt with.

If you are aware of any properties where there are similar problems please let us know asap. We need to make sure they are dealt with to avoid vermin issues and cost to the council of clearing up wind blown rubbish. Its also unacceptable to us to have any part of the area looking a mess like this.

Lib Dem success – Brackenfield Road Driveway scheme set to start

A scheme by Durham City Homes to install driveways along Brackenfield Road is set to start in the next few weeks. This should help to reduce parking problems on the street.

We helped to secure this in talks with the housing provider over the last 2 years following our successful work to get similar schemes in Pity Me at Hudspeth Crescent and The Avenue, and at Lilac Avenue in  Framwellgate Moor.

We will continue to work with DCH to get further improvements across our area, which has also included the new houses set to be built on Folly Terrace in Pity Me, thanks to many years of pressure form ourselves. It took the transfer of ownership of the housing group out of Council hands to get any action. Labour-run Durham County Council had repeatedly rejected our calls for regeneration of the area.

Rosemount Broadband Update

After repeatedly chasing up again, I have just been told that  Northern Powergrid will start works to provide electric to the broadband box from the 28th February to the 5th March. Another unacceptable delay it has to be said, but at least once the electric is in it shouldn’t be more than a couple of weeks for go live. So fingers crossed, fast broadband arrives before the end of March.