This PSPO proposal is the thin end of a wedge!
This Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) proposal is the thin end of a wedge!
10 Oct 2017
News
News from West Hertfordshire
Council seeks “mash-up” of powers to “criminalise” CYCLING - and what else?
In an absurd proposal, Dacorum Council is consulting on a plan to ban cycling on several public roads in Hemel Hempstead, as part of their hotch-potch "Public Space Protection Order" (PSPO), which allows fines at the Council's discretion, for cycling and a mixed bunch of various other things. Former Lib Dem opposition councillor Lloyd Harris says: "The idea that a ban can be proposed which is not specific enough to recognise differences between various parts of town, where different things happen, shows a lack of basic common sense in drawing up this order." The Council's map shows the PSPO area would cover Waterhouse Street, Bridge Street, Combe Street and the High Street, parts of which are public highway used by cars, bikes, buses etc. "Please join me in asking that these muddled plans be thrown out; we need to encourage cycling for health, and provide activities for kids - not make it a criminal offence to be bored! Let's have proper cycle-paths in Hemel, routes that bikes and skateboards can be used
9 Oct 2017
Herts County Council Chiefs Pushing Vulnerable People into Poverty
Councillor Ron Tindall is on the front page of this week's Gazette speaking out against Conservative run Hertfordshire County Council's plans to save money on its adult care budget. These plans would mean asking the most vulnerable residents to pay £130 more per week for the care that they receive.
SB
27 Sep 2017
Liberal Democrats Criticise Herts Conservatives' Plans to Extend Highways Contract for another 5 Years
The Liberal Democrat Opposition councillors at County Hall have been shocked and angered to hear that HCC are intending to extend the contracts of much-criticised highways contractors Ringway for a further 5 years.
27 Sep 2017
Berkhamsted to Hemel Hempstead August Holiday Disruption All in a Good Cause but Delay to the MXL is not.
Travellers at Bank Holidays have to be braced for difficult journeys as so often these are the only practical times to carry out essential repair and improvement work.
5 Sep 2017
Hints that Grove Road, Tring, Repairs will be done this Year
It's always "seeing's believing" with highway work in Hertfordshire but the Grove Road, Tring, repairs are still scheduled as "some time in the 6 months beginning 1st October".
5 Sep 2017
Welcome Developments in the Protest against Developments - Miswell Lane Public Open Space!
It has been a long-standing anomaly that a triangle of land off Miswell Lane in Tring was privately owned despite being designated as Public Open Space by the former Tring Urban District Council - a situation which has dragged on for nearly 50 years! This was the subject of a 12-year court case which firmly established the land as Public Open Space. Unfortunately the land was then sold at auction by the owners and bought up by a developer at a price far in excess of what Dacorum Borough Council (DBC) thought at the time it could afford. Since then there has been a series of unsuccessful planning applications, with the more recent ones involving partial development with the remainder of the land being given to DBC. The last such compromise involved just 20% of the land being developed with the remainder becoming DBC property, thus safeguarding its public use. The latest excellent news is about the withdrawal of the planning application for building 2 houses on 20% of the privately owned public open space -
29 Aug 2017
Lib Dems slam the Government's Phony Optimism over West Midlands Rail Franchise - but then a Massive Fares Rise
After the good news of newer, longer trains and improved Sunday services comes the rise of regulated rail fares by a massive 3.6% rise from January 2018 onwards, government statistics have today revealed. This is significantly greater than this year's figure of 2.3% and the largest rise since 2011.
16 Aug 2017
A Message to Members from the Chair of West Herts Liberal Democrats Local Party
A Message from Sally Symington, Chair of West Herts Local Party Dear Members,
14 Aug 2017
In the Nick of time - the Grid Fairy got 4 critical grids cleared before the rain fell in earnest!
Dacorum Borough Council does a really poor job in Tring of sweeping up soil, grit and litter from the gutters. These should be kept clean, clear and free-running, but because of neglect litter, grit and mud get washed along to cover over the grids at the top of the gulleys. This causes flooding, which is particularly bad at the top of Akeman Street by the Museum. It can spread right across the road and once or twice the run-off down Akeman Street even got as far as flooding the cellar of a house. Fortunately the Grid Fairy was out and about the other evening and got the two critical grids by the Museum uncovered just before the next downpour. The pictures show the result of this timely work - the Grid Fairy can't be actually seen 'cos it's invisible. But it was there, I assure you! Other critical spots cleared were in Bottom House Lane, Crawleys Hill and Hamberlins Lane.
7 Aug 2017
"Dacorum Must do Better in Tring!" says Lib Dem Councillor
For the second time in a fortnight now there have been justifiable complaints of sacks of commercial waste left out at the entrance to Dolphin Square as you approach from the Frogmore Street (East) Car Park. Some of the bags were marked "Cawleys", some "Grundon". Some of the bags were even marked "Dacorum Borough Council Waste Collection Service". Obviously they were awaiting collection by the appropriate companies - including DBC itself. However, dumping 16 bags and boxes of waste in a well-used public area of the town over the weekend is not acceptable. The Liberal Democrats have reported this as a fly-tipping incident on reference 523970 and have sent in 4 photographs. An alternative area on private ground must be found for commercial waste awaiting collection.
6 Aug 2017
Lib Dem Leader Vince Cable Speaks to Packed Hall in Cambridge
At a packed hall in the University of Cambridge Faculty of Law, West Road, Cambridge, last week the new Liberal Democrat Leader, Vince Cable addressed party members as part of a nationwide speaking tour which has taken him from West Country to Scotland in two crowded and strenuous weeks.
4 Aug 2017