Letters

It was reported in the Parish Council Meeting minutes of 2/10/96 that the bus route would be gritted. On the 6/1/97, having endured the atrocious road conditions between Reach and Burwell, let alone the road to Swaffham Prior and around Fair Green. I contacted Mr. Steven Hills, Cambs County Council Highways Engineer. He stated categorically that the above mentioned roads were NOT on the primary gritting routes and would not be treated on a regular basis. The roads were gritted on 7/1/96 and on that evenong Mr. Hills called at our house and presented the comprehensive document issued by Cambs County Council, clearly showing that his previous statemnet was correct. This document is available for viewing by those persons interested.  Come on Councillors, get your act together 

        Don Fuller  8/2/97

Reach Playing Field & The Relocation of Play Equipment

There has been a proposal put forward at the February Parish Council meeting by councillors Brian Pearson & Micheal Aves that rather than relocate the play equipment ,currently on the village green, to the new playing field, that it remains on the green. This apparently due to the cost of relocating it. Although no costs were presented to substantiate this statement. I would like to present the following
comments for your consideration.

1. Two play areas for the children would encourage them to migrate back and forth between each facility, introducing them to unnecessary traffic risks and dangers. Parents would never be quite sure where they were at any one time. A complete contrast to the all purpose, one stop, safe play facility first envisaged at the outset of this project.

2. At a public meeting held to discuss the various aspects and options of play equipment and its then location on the village green, it was strongly felt that a proposal put forward by Clr.Brian Pearson to split the play equipment into two locations at the top and bottom of the greens was undesirable and impracticable as well as dangerous for the children.

3. Plans, Drawings, Sketches, all have been displayed at various times over the last 18 months showing the play equipment including the existing equipment (ie the swings) located as part of the playing field facility.--There was even a sketch on the front page of the village magazine. Parishioners have been given the expectationthat, in the fullness of time the existing play equipment will be relocated and take its place on the playing field. I have no doubt that many pledges were made on this understanding.

4. To do an about turn and not relocate the play equipment takes no account of the strain and tension born by some of our parishioners as a result of the late night disturbances caused by 'visiting' youths during the summer, attracted to children's play equipment set in a well illuminated area of the village. By moving the equipment to the playing field it is unlikely that these nocturnal activities will
follow because the playing field will not enjoy the same level of illumination -in fact it will be pitch black In addition it will not be so readily excessable. Relocating the play equipment may not provide the complete remedy for the late night 'tensions', but it will at least not be seen to encourage or promote them!. To do nothing would, it seems to me, be doing just that.

5. With the play equipment relocated any daytime activities will not generate the same level of noise. This is because it will be dissipated over the adjoining fields and will not resonate off of any surrounding buildings. The proposal tabled by councillors Brian Pearson and Micheal Aves completely reverses the very objectives of the project as it was originally perceived. That was; A safe place to play for the children of all ages, where they would not be hassled by stressed householders every time they were a bit over boistress. The formation of a playing field for sports and the relocation of existing play equipment, plus the installation of additional equipment as funds could afford. Something for everybody - not a complete remedy but a very good first step. First and foremost a safe purpose built play facility for children of all ages, and just maybe a little less tension and stress for a number of our fellow parishioners.

Keith Lambert Parish Councillor.