Grass Verge has become MUDDY QUAGMIRE
Reported by P Histed at 15:27, Sun 18 January 2009
Sent to West Sussex County Council and Chichester District Council 3 minutes later
Dear Sir/Madam,
A. THE PROBLEM: Since the development of the Rockeries to form a walled housing estate: As was predicted by those of us who life in and know the area, safe turning for cars here has become difficult and resulted, entirely understandably, in many being forced to use what was a very attractive verge outside St Margaret's convent school, for turning in one sweep and, when everyone is home at night or at the weekend, for parking.
The resultand deep furrowed, puddled, muddy quagmire has turned what what a clean and attractive neighbourhood into one which looks neglected, which, in turn, has resulted in increased litter and general abuse; added to which, dust and mud is being spread to the extent of my noticing a significant increase in dust and dirt in my home and on the doors and windows (which is not helped by the fact that the street sweeping vehicles have driven right past on their last (at least 3) visits because there is so much traffic in the area that they are unable to sweep the gutters opposite the 'verge quagmire' because there is now rarely time when there are no cars parked, resulting in more mud accumulating this side too ... and so much now that plants have even started to grow in the gutters.
Now that there is no hose pipe ban I do power hose the pavement and gutter immediately outside my own house from time to time, but with the drain being a couple of feet away from the gutter itself (up an incline!) it is extremely difficult to banish the accumulating dust, sand, mud and general filth from the area.
B. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: Whilst I appreciate that pressure on funds is greater than ever May I respectfully suggest that practicalities be prioritised higher up the list than the frequent sending out of 'forms to gather and distribute statistics about what needs to be done' which the Present Government seems so keen to encourage in place of actually getting things done, and suggest that a Council Representative come and visit with a view to:
1) Repositioning the drain in the road outside 37 Petersfield Road to the actual gutter, where it could better drain the area as intended
2) paving what was an attractive grass verge opposite 45 to 31 Petersfield Road, with some sloped kerbs, to facilitate some extra clean, safe, parking spaces much needed in the area to replace those lost to Rockeries Development; and to restore the area to approximate its former neatness. (obviously the grass verge was more attractive, but it is clear that the community needs this to become something else now, and at least by paving it, it would be neat, clean and useful, as well as removing the need for the council to mow/strim the grass on the small portions of grass verge which do remain in tact.
This really is a horrible mess now and your prompt attention would be very much appreciated.
Yours faithfully pjh (name supplied)
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Updates
Although the present problem has been caused directly because Highways granted permission on a development which we, the community who lives here, identified would cause turning problems ..... it is particularly galling that, whilst saying that yes there are plans to pave the verge in question to make it neat and clean .... or rather WERE plans ... within the next year or so .... the irresponsible state of financial affairs now precludes any firm plans for the forseeable future ...
It would be good, therefore, at the very least, if the Council would make more productive use of the services which they do fund and provide by letting us know the day before the street cleaning truck and/or gutter cleaning gadgetry and operatives ... are due to arrive .... arranging for cars to be moved ... so that our area can also be cleaned (it has been neglected this past TWO YEARS at least because the vehicles cannot get into the spaces and nothing is done by hand to get around the actuality of the environment .. vis parking / built up area of pavement etc etc etc. (and I no longer have access to a power hose so cannot do anything about anything myself anymore)
Council continuing to use the excuse of 'Credit Crunch' .... saying funds now even more limited ... and that whilst they would like to pave the 'ex grass verge' ... the chances of actually getting this done are more than a year away ..... This really is NOT acceptable since the present state of the ex verge (mud mess) is as a direct result of HIGHWAYS passing a Planning Application which the previous bigger meeting did not pass. Since HIGHWAYS approved the plans at a separate meeting (which was not public) it is only fair that they take RESPONSIBILITY for ensuring that the area functions safely and is restored to looking fit for habitation! IT IS A REAL MESS ..... resulting in continued litter dropping ... abuse .... and general malaise .... AND ... being one of the main routes in to Midhurst ... gives a thoroughly poor impression and could further impact on the already uncomfortable squeeze to the town ..... (granted ... being experienced universally) ... but we have to be active in our own salvation don't we ... and whilst I am happy to keep the pavement and area immediately outside my own house tidied to the best of my ability .... I really just do not have the strength, means, materials or anything else ... to tackle a whole 'pot-holed muddy dusty filthy' ex-beautiful-green-verge !!!! DOES ANYONE KNOW OF ANY LEGAL AVENUES TO 'ENCOURAGE' THE COUNCIL TO TAKE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY ... and start actually DOING something ... instead of having meetings about meetings about meetings and sending out leaflets, forms, surveys, information etc etc etc ....... 'while Rome burns' .... !!!!!! We're feeling increasingly 'left out of the loop' by Chichester ... over here in Midhurst!
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