July 2009 Status Report

Drains

Sewer Remedial Presentation There was a meeting at 7:30pm on Weds 29th April to discuss the remedial works to be completed by Persimmon. The meeting was addressed by Mr John Wilson: he outlined the works to be undertaken on the site and the potential impact on residents. Mr Wilson provided us with a revised plan of the works to be undertaken, identifying the locations that will be affected.

At the meeting, Mr Wilson indicated that the work was due to start in June. We've since heard from Mr Wilson to confirm the start date as 3rd August, lasting for 13 weeks. The remedial work will have an impact on parking and access, as Mr Wilson indicated during the meeting. The contractors appointed by Mr Wilson will be responsible for cordoning off lengths of the road before the commuters arrive early in the morning.

Mr Wilson committed Persimmon to complete the metalling (topping) of the roads as soon as feasible once the remedial work has completed this autumn.

Parking

Following on from Persimmon's agreement (as street managers for the site) to permit a residents' parking scheme, we have examined several parking enforcement agencies with a view to them acting on behalf of the residents' association.

We will be writing to each householder in the new few weeks to inform them of the proposal to begin controlled parking on the Persimmon site, and to ask that residents, particularly in the roads most affected, volunteer their help in setting up, administrating and policing the scheme.

The administration of the scheme would involve:

  1. distributing numbered annual permits and one-off visitor tickets;
  2. handling and banking the charges for permits and tickets;
  3. maintaining an electronic register of vehicles and owners who are permit-holders;
  4. maintaining an electronic register of vehicles which have received warning and penalty notices and
  5. handling appeals against penalties.

There would also some additional administrative duties in the establishment stage, including

  1. agreeing with the Residents' Association the fees for annual and visitor tickets, and the policy and process for dealing with appeals, and
  2. disseminating information on these issues to residents.

For these proposals to be progressed, we need some dedicated volunteers who are willing to undertake the not insignificant workload involved. If you are interested in helping, particularly in running the administration of the scheme, please contact the secretary Bernard Horan, 2 Dry Dock (822992, drydock@mac.com) before the end of July. (If you have any concerns about the proposal, please also contact Bernard.)

Maintenance

There appears to have been no progress on the maintenance issues that we raised with Persimmon. We have again contacted them to request that they address these issues urgently.

After several discussions and false starts, a dog fouling bin has been installed on Old Ferry Road, near to the marsh. Thanks to the Wivenhoe Town Council, in particular Councillor Penny Kraft, for their help with this matter.

The street light at the rear of 27 Old Ferry Road has now been connected and appears to be functional.

Water Feature

The ultrasonic device that controls the algae in the water feature has been replaced and the water has changed in colour from bright green to dishwater grey. We have contacted Persimmon to request an update on the status of the water feature.

10th July 2009