With less than two months to go to 3rd May I have started to collect e mail addresses from complete strangers! (rather than from the poor suckers that I know already who have been too polite to say no! Many thanks for your patience anyway....)
Not wanting to make my carbon footprint any bigger than necessary I have started here in Newmans Green. Of course a number of my neighbours are well known to me already but I am mainly on speaking terms with other dog walkers. The constant use of cars means that, particularly in winter, one doesn't see anyone else much out and about, which in itself is a pity.
However, as far as my first faltering steps in genuine door knocking are concerned I have found that everyone so far has been very polite, interested and tolerant. There is something a bit daunting about banging on strange doors, particularly when one discovers in addition to human beings in residence, huge hounds, or other exotic creatures the existence of which one was unaware!
What are the issues that primarily concern people here in Newmans Green? (Newmans Green for those of you who don't know the hamlet, is between Acton and the North of Sudbury).
Not wanting to make my carbon footprint any bigger than necessary I have started here in Newmans Green. Of course a number of my neighbours are well known to me already but I am mainly on speaking terms with other dog walkers. The constant use of cars means that, particularly in winter, one doesn't see anyone else much out and about, which in itself is a pity.
However, as far as my first faltering steps in genuine door knocking are concerned I have found that everyone so far has been very polite, interested and tolerant. There is something a bit daunting about banging on strange doors, particularly when one discovers in addition to human beings in residence, huge hounds, or other exotic creatures the existence of which one was unaware!
What are the issues that primarily concern people here in Newmans Green? (Newmans Green for those of you who don't know the hamlet, is between Acton and the North of Sudbury).
Inevitably one main concern is the affect that the Chilton Woods development will have on the blessed peace and quiet we have enjoyed in this rather unexpected backwater. (In the case of a number of the cottages this peace has been enjoyed for hundreds of years!). At present, the lane through the village which runs up from the Long Melford by-pass remains almost as quiet as it has been since we moved here over 20 years ago. The exceptions to this are that the route is now used as a cut-through by people taking their children to school, which is noticable in term time, and, increasingly, large lost white vans with imaginative nav-sat equipment.
It is clear that all of us in Newmans Green should have a good look at the new road layout on the Chilton plan and make representations if we believe that it will make traffic volume worse. I personally am concerned that we may have problems due to the planned closure of Acton Lane, currently our route into Sudbury. Additionally, the plan seems to mean that in order to get to Tescos we will have to go right through the middle of the new settlement, causing congestion there, or go all the way round via the by-pass. Of course in a brave green new world we should be biking or walking on one of the new cycle paths, but have you tried carrying a case of wine home on your handlebars recently?
The idea of actually closing off the lane where it connects with the by-pass has been suggested to me by a number of residents. This idea was raised in the past when the by-pass was first built but rejected due to representations from those living further towards Long Melford who would have to make quite a wide detour to go anywhere much at all. I'm not sure that anything has changed in this respect, but perhaps closing it off further up towards Newmans Green might satisfy everyone?
Another concern is light pollution from the Chilton development. At present despite the proximity of Sudbury we can still more or less see the stars! I seem to recall that the Structure Plan called for light pollution to be kept to a minimum. With new technology I know that this can be done. This is something to question at the planning stage, and later monitor closely.
Incidentally it would save me a lot of shoe leather and some anxiety if any readers of the blog/people on my e mail list are able to let me have the e mail address of anyone in Waldingfield Ward who would be interested in knowing about the blog and receiving update alerts. If they dont enjoy the experience I will of course immediately delist them on request!
It is clear that all of us in Newmans Green should have a good look at the new road layout on the Chilton plan and make representations if we believe that it will make traffic volume worse. I personally am concerned that we may have problems due to the planned closure of Acton Lane, currently our route into Sudbury. Additionally, the plan seems to mean that in order to get to Tescos we will have to go right through the middle of the new settlement, causing congestion there, or go all the way round via the by-pass. Of course in a brave green new world we should be biking or walking on one of the new cycle paths, but have you tried carrying a case of wine home on your handlebars recently?
The idea of actually closing off the lane where it connects with the by-pass has been suggested to me by a number of residents. This idea was raised in the past when the by-pass was first built but rejected due to representations from those living further towards Long Melford who would have to make quite a wide detour to go anywhere much at all. I'm not sure that anything has changed in this respect, but perhaps closing it off further up towards Newmans Green might satisfy everyone?
Another concern is light pollution from the Chilton development. At present despite the proximity of Sudbury we can still more or less see the stars! I seem to recall that the Structure Plan called for light pollution to be kept to a minimum. With new technology I know that this can be done. This is something to question at the planning stage, and later monitor closely.
Incidentally it would save me a lot of shoe leather and some anxiety if any readers of the blog/people on my e mail list are able to let me have the e mail address of anyone in Waldingfield Ward who would be interested in knowing about the blog and receiving update alerts. If they dont enjoy the experience I will of course immediately delist them on request!
