RUBBISH, SPEED, LIGHTS OUT, BADGERS and more!

COMMUNITY MATTERS

Communities Minister Eric Pickles has offered councils money he has “found” (from central government efficiency savings) to be spent on weekly bin collections. Surely there must be many other much more needful community causes to spend such money on, such as providing better facilities to prevent fly-tipping. The recycling rates and reduction in landfill charges achieved here in Teignbridge with alternate week collections already show what communities can achieve if they put their minds to it. So why is there any need to make this extra funding available and only to those councils that revert to weekly collections? This would seem to satisfy only those who are too lazy to sort their own rubbish and those who don’t really care if other people pick up their landfill tax charges. Mr Pickles was said to be the champion of “localism”, but this proposal seems to be directly contrary to it.

SPEED ON MOTORWAYS&&&..

Do you think that maximum speeds on motorways should be raised to 80 mph? I guess on the M25 and parts of the M6 they would laugh themselves silly at the prospect of ever being able to attain that level of speed. Pampering to the high speed merchants just seems to me to be a high risk strategy. Surely, safety must be the highest priority? While newer cars may be built to higher safety standards, unfortunately it is people that drive them, and that’s where the problem lies. Drivers have different levels of experience, abilities, awareness, reaction times and consideration for other drivers, while new and clapped out vehicles, including heavy goods and coaches, compete for the road space available. Road rage and boy/girl racers are all too prevalent. And at the end of the day you just get to that next traffic jam that bit earlier. The system used on the M25 around Heathrow, where a variable speed limit is applied according to traffic density and road conditions, has helped reduce accidents and hold-ups significantly. This seems a much better approach to getting swiftly and safely from A to B.

LIGHTS OUT&&&..

So the street lights will be going out all over Bovey Tracey between 12.30 and 05.30 a.m. in the near future (except on the main through roads)! So far, despite requests for feedback from the residents and businesses here (from the Town Council, the police, and the Neighbourhood Watch network), there has been next to none, so it’s presumed everyone is happy with the prospect of “lights out” in their roads and footpaths this winter and beyond. If you do have a concern, and the switch-off hasn’t happened by the time this magazine lands on your doormat, then please let the Town Council know, and we’ll pass it on.

BADGER CULLING&&&

This is one of those contentious topics that has raised its head once again, with the government now seemingly committed to carrying out limited trials in parts of the southwest in the near future. From where does the TB derive? Many see this as a chicken and egg problem. The Dutch have studied this in great detail and have favoured an immunisation approach rather than a culling of badgers. I just hope DEFRA gets this right, as a campaign of civil disobedience in the countryside will be counter productive and most unwelcome.

BOVEY TRACEY COMMUNITY PLANNING SESSIONS&&&.

Did you attend one of the five public sessions held in September? The usual topics came up, both positive and negative. It’s good that people like living in the town, but many don’t want to see it change. The truth is that Bovey Tracey will grow considerably in the coming years, and councils have to take account of that. It is good that residents and businesses have the chance to make their opinions known, and it is incumbent upon councils to give them feedback as we go along, which I expect Teignbridge council to do. I know the planning team is very appreciative of the input received, and realises the strength of feeling so many have about the future of our town.

GOOD NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES OLD & NEW&&&

As the economic recession continues, it is good to report positive news from local businesses. Jeff and Carolyn Dowell have just completed a highly successful 30 years as the proprietors of Brookwells, who provide spare parts and equipment for Land Rovers (you will see their head office just off the Pottery Road roundabout). This is a family business that started in Heathfield, and has retained its base in Bovey Tracey, providing employment for local people, and obviously well satisfying its many customers’ needs. Congratulations are due for a first class achievement to a very nice family.

When my wife and I first moved to Bovey Tracey, one of the main things missing for us was a proper fishmonger’s shop. Now local butcher Steve Todd in Station Road has added a wet fish counter selling a wide variety of fish daily provided from Plymouth day boats. The choice of filleted and unfilleted fish is wide, plus prawns, crab, scampi and more. This really adds value to Bovey Tracey as a local shopping centre, being one of a minute number of fresh fish outlets in the area. Well done and thanks Steve!

BOVEY YOUNG CITIZEN AWARD 2012 UPDATE&&&

The show is now on the road, and nominations can be accepted by the Town Council until 31 January 2012 for an individual or groups of two or three young people aged from 7 to 18 years. If you would like a nomination form (each person must be nominated on a separate form), these can be obtained from the Town Hall or printed out from the Town Council website (www.boveytracey.gov.uk). If it’s decided to use additional outlets for these forms, especially for the non-computerised, these will be named in the council’s “Quality Update” newsletter in November. Please remember that nominations for youngsters under 18 have to be signed off by a parent or guardian, and all nominations have to have a proposer and seconder. If you require more information about the Award scheme, please contact the council on 01626 834217 or by email on info@boveytracey.gov.uk. 

Tony Allen is a Bovey Tracey Town Councillor & Leader of the Bovey NHW Forum    

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