Author: FVCA

See below email that received on 4^th March in response to the Community Association’s email 7^th February.

From: Clewer, Richard
Sent: 04 March 2021 08:06
To: chair@fvca.org.uk
Cc: Benson, Rachael
Subject: FW: Outstanding Repairs & Improvements to Swan Lane & Wood Lane, Fairfield

Dear Mr Palmer

I am sure you will appreciate that covid restriction together with the recent floods and bad weather have both severely restricted and pressurised our operational ability.

An inspector has visited site this week and new orders have been raised to jet the blocked gullies reported in both Swan Lane and Third Road together with the repair of the damaged covers. Whilst I have yet to receive firm dates for this I would hope that it will be done within the next 28 days.

As previously explained we are unable to dictate to road users directions they wish to take to access the commercial units however signs have been ordered to indicate to drivers leaving the commercial units the direction of the M5 via Wildmoor Lane. I will follow up with the traffic management team as to where we are with these.

Changes to local speed limits require the support of the local member you may wish to discuss with Cllr Webb the speed limit in Swan Lane. However although Swan Lane is derestricted drivers are expected to drive to the conditions of the road. Swan Lane is a typical rural county lane with little development of it and therefore will fit the current speed limits according to the Dept for Transport guidance.

As previously reported, we are aware of the signs directing traffic away from Wildmoor Mill and that Third Road has been assessed.

Mr. Clewer’s email does not mention the blocked Wood Lane gully.  It is not clear whether the jetting of the gullies on Swan Lane will include the unblocking of grids, replacing a broken grid, clearing the blocked gully near the gas pipeline, reconstructing the parts of Swan Lane that have eroded away, filling in pot holes and preventing further mother slide on to the road.

The response to the Swan Lane speed limit is poor; the speed of traffic driving along Swan Lane and the need for a reduced speed limit has been mentioned to County Councillor Shirley Webb previously and the Department of Transport guidance Setting local speed limits paragraph 127 states:

127) Table 2 sets out recommended speed limits for roads with a predominant motor traffic flow function. If walking, cycling, horse riding, community or environmental factors are particularly important on any road section, consideration should be given to using the lower limit.

Table 2 Speed limits for single carriageway roads ^{[footnote 8]} with a predominant motor traffic flow function

The Department of Transport guidance suggests that Swan Lane can be considered for a 40 mph speed limit, due to, and not exclusively to, the bends, landscaping (that provide low light) and vulnerable road users – due to the nature of the road the speed limit could be lowered even further, Swan Lane between the “Devil’s Steps” and Mill Lane forms part of the Monarch’s Way and is used by walkers, including older people walking their dogs, and Swan Lane is often used by horse riders.

Residents may wish to lobby County Councillor Webb and Worcestershire County Council requesting the required repairs and improvements.

Earlier this year, copies of “Expedition to the Mountains of the Scottish Highlands” were sold for a donation. Our generous community donated £83.00, and our “Church Mouse” has asked that we convey his thanks to you, he is very touched by your kindness.

Those of you who know Ian will know that he has not had an easy life and is often marginalised from society. Ian has recently returned to Bromsgrove from trekking and cycling around mid Wales, and will soon be off on another “adventure”, which is helping to improve his physical and mental well-being.

Following on from our highly successful 40th Anniversary production of ‘Cinderella’ back in 2019 the Fairbourne Dodders are proud and excited to be spinning into Christmas 2021 with ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

Fairbourne Dodders are looking for people to be involved both on and off stage, so if you would like more information please join their Facebook page or send them a message.

Just a reminder that the ‘Fairbourne Dodders’ represents Fairfield, Bourneheath and Dodford so it would be great if any new or old residents would like to get involved

If all goes to plan with the Government’s Roadmap it may be possible for Community Group Litter Picks to resume from 12th April, subject to compliance with Government Advice and our local assessment, therefore if it possible our first Community Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 8th May, meet outside Village Hall 10.00 am, wear suitable clothing & footwear, litter picking equipment will be provided. 

Of courses, individual households can carry out their own litter picks before this date as part of their daily exercise.

Keep Britain Tidy have announced that this year’s (rearranged) Great British Spring Clean (GBSC) will take place between 28th May and 13th June, i.e. subject to their being no change or delays to the Government Roadmap it may be possible that our Community GBSC will be on Saturday 10th May.

According to minutes, at the February meeting of the Parish Council, Councillors agreed to:

Recreation Ground

1. Sorting the footpath drainage issues.

2. Redevelop corner area garden with input from the school /orchard soil investigation / planting a wild, sensory or ‘wet’ garden. (All are possibly grant fundable).

3. Carparking, while approval in principle by the Council for an extension this is ‘on hold’ due to high cost of quotes received and there will be a reassessment of best use of funds.

Fairfield Village Community Association (FVCA) welcomes 1 & 2, however, it is disappointing that the car park extension is being put on hold, even though the Council had previously agreed in principle to spend £15K and the balance of the project, which we are informed would cost £28K, could be secured from grants, which FVCA have offered to help bid for.

It is understandably frustrating for residents and other users of our community to see that 5 years on from our lobbying and the Council agreeing in principle for a car park extension at their meeting on 3rd October 2016, we still do not have the additional parking spaces in the village to accommodate the vehicles arising from the increased number of spectators supporting Fairfield Villa football matches, the growing Fairfield First School population and community facilities that are enjoyed by many visitors.

Pepper Wood

With regard the Pepper Wood expansion the Parish Council have “deferred decisions on both promoting the appeal for funding by the Woodland Trust, and considering a donation”.  According to the February minutes, the Council “wished to consider the plans the Woodland Trust had for the site including any additional parking facilities.”  The expanded woodland will not be open to the public for many years, as the area is being allowed to rewild itself through natural tree growth. 

The current Chair of Fairfield Village Community Association writes:

“When our AGM finally take places, having served as Chair of the Community Association for 5 years, it is my wish that I am not nominated to serve another year as Chair.  It has been a honour to serve our community and to be a part of the Association’s many achievements, supported by some fantastic residents and committee members.  Please cast the net, or give consideration yourself, for a replacement Chair, who will have a different style and can work to continue making a positive difference for Fairfield, Wildmoor & Stoneybridge.  I will, of courses, continue to support the Community Association, so whoever is Chair will not be required to do everything that I have been doing, they can delegate.”

Fairfield Village Community Association have become aware of a report given by our County Council to the Parish Council at a meeting of the Parish Council that was held on Monday 1st February, the minutes state:

“C.Cllr. Webb advised that the Traffic Regulation Order (Speed limit reduction from National Speed Limit to 40m.p.h.) for the Stourbridge Road from the Stoneybridge island to the circa the Fairfield village boundary had finished its consultation process, with no objections recorded. She will advise when the signage is to be erected.”

Is “circa the Fairfield village boundary” the planter or as previously suggested moving the 30 mph sign to the entrance of Orchard Farm?

Fairfield Village Community Association have today (1st March 2021) sent an email to Legal Services at County Hall, the contents of our email are below.

If you wish to question that a fit and proper consultation has not taken place, email legalservices@worcestershire.gov.uk (if you could keep us in the loop, it would be appreciated).

Thomas Pollock

Head of Commercial Law, Legal and Governance

Worcestershire County Council

Dear Mr. Pollock,

On Friday 26^th February 2021, we became aware of the draft Belbroughton and Fairfield Parish Council minutes of 1^st February 2020 that records during the item “County and District Councillors reports” the following:

“C.Cllr. Webb advised that the Traffic Regulation Order (Speed limit reduction from National Speed Limit to 40m.p.h.) for the Stourbridge Road from the Stoneybridge island to the circa the Fairfield village boundary had finished its consultation process, with no objections recorded. She will advise when the signage is to be erected.”

Fairfield Village Community Association and residents that we have spoken to over the past few day are unaware of any formal consultation taking place.  Please tell us:

• What was formally being proposed and has been allegedly agreed?
• What consultation took place, including dates of consultation and who was approached?
• What public media was used to promote the consultation and how were members of the public notified of the plans to amend the TRO?

Fairfield Village Community Association had wind of a possible amendment of the TRO in 2019, voicing our concern at a Parish Council working group meeting.

The Association mentioned the possible amendment of the TRO in our email to Mr. J. Hobbs, Director of Economy and Infrastructure, Worcestershire County Council, dated 9th February 2020:

“We are informed that there are plans to reduce the speed limit on the approach to the village from Stoneybridge Island.  This proposed reduction to 40mph is welcomed, however, we strongly object to moving the 30mph marker closer to the village, to the entrance to Orchard Farm, which is at the brow of the road.”

On 5^th May 2020, we received a copy of a report that County Councillor Shirley Webb sent the Parish Council (email below, report attached) in which Cllr. Webb writes:

“TRO from Stoneybridge Island, consultation has started to reduce speed from 60 to 40 mph up to nearby Orchard farm when the speed will then change to 30MPH.  Relining of the road will also take place to give the impression the lane is not as wide.  New painted road signs will also be done at the same time.”

On the 15^th May 2020 we sent Cllr. Webb a response to her report, which includes our comment regarding amending the TRO:

“You state that a consultation has started. As yet the community have not received official notification of what is being proposed. We look forward to receiving and circulating the consultation document. From briefings received to date, we have strong reservations regarding increasing the speed limit from 30mph to 40mph on that stretch of Stourbridge Road between the north planter and Orchard Farm, a point on Stourbridge Road that is a blind spot with brow in the road and nearby access points from residential properties, a farm and a pub.”

According to the Parish Council minutes of 7^th December 2020, Cllr. Webb advised:

“The Traffic Regulation Order to reduce the speed limit on the entrance to Fairfield from the Stoneybridge island was due to start its six week consultation process. Provided there were no objections this should come into force by the end of January 2021.”

Fairfield Village Community Association regular view the County Council’s Public Notices webpage https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/directory/34/public_notices_directory/category/105   where other TRO consultation notices are listed, we have not seen any notice regarding amending the TRO on Stourbridge Road.

As regulations require consultation with ‘such other organisations (if any) representing persons likely to be affected by any provision in the order’, any decision that has been made is must be considered null and void, and an appropriate consultation should take place that includes a full risk assessment due to hazardous nature of what is being proposed.

We look forward to your timely reply.

Yours sincerely,

Conrad

Conrad Palmer

Chairman

Fairfield Village Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch Group