Cllr Geoff Heathcock

Geoff is to meet with City Council Officers later this month following an inspection of a row of garages behind Tillyard Way - which have been allowed to fall into disrepair, are dirty, overgrown with vegetation and vadalised following a complaint from a resident during the recent election campaign. I am frankly appalled that these garages have been neglected and left to get in an appalling condition - and want answers as to what the Council will now be doing to clean the area up on the one hand - but also ensure this resource is looked after properly.

Geoff is to meet with Hospital Managers at Addenbrookes next month to raise fresh worries over the level of car park charges on the site - particularly for visitors and those attending clinics - after it has been revealed that major profits are being made but no disclosure given about the financial arrangements for the new NCP car park. This ongoing saga is deeply worrying and only gives more evidence about the inability of the Public to really establish what is happening at a Hospital they pay for.

Geoff has written to the Managing Director of Stagecoach in Cambridge to raise concerns expressed by local residents that a decision to stop allowing passengers too alight at Parkside adjacent to the express coach bays will be not only inconvenient but will mean some elderly and disabled will have a much longer distance to walk from the nearest stop in Mill Road. This is another decision by a monoply provider made for the convenience of the Guided Bus and the company without any thought for users and is a disgrace.

Geoff as a member of Railfuture and rail user himself has hit out at National Express East Coast for introducing a charge for a seat reservation on each journey as yet another hit on the rail user - and another way of raising cash at a time of recession and difficulty in paying its franchise premium to Government, this on top of another fare increase recently introduced the second so far in 2009.

It beggars belief that at a time of economic difficulty a rail operator should see fit to hit the passenger yet again - when they ought to be encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and transfer to the “green option”. The Rail regulator is silent on the issue and is certainly not looking after the interests of the customer. This is cynical, unfair and totally to be condemned.

Government spouts regularly its interested in developing rail and allows train operators to make mega profits in the good times and hit the passenger in the lean times, what a way to run a Railway!

Geoff is pressing County Highways staff for an urgent meeting with the Police and local Schools - in an effort to find a long-term solution to the growing nightmare posed by increased speeding on Queen Edith’s Way. I am increasingly anxious that we are going to have a tragedy on this road unless some robust measures are put in place - sooner rather than later. I have impressed on officers how serious the issue is - but as is often the case with the County Council they drag their feet hoping the problem will go away - it won’t and it needs to be tackled.

Geoff has made a pledge to review with colleagues - if he is re-elected to the County Council on June the 4th - the whole provision of Daycare Services for the elderly especially in South Cambridgeshire following another case of a day centre dying on the vine through disinterest by a care home, local management and Officers at the Council.

When the number of our elderly is increasing, we actually need more day centres not only to help those who need stimulation but to give the very vital respite for carers - many of whom are themselves quite elderly and get little or know space for their own interests. There is a distinct lack of effective contract management by the Council - who all too often simly don’t know when changes are made on the ground. This is a big area of worry and i am determined that we improve matters in the longer term.

Geoff is pleased to announce that following his representations over some months to the City Council to plan a programme for the refurbishment of the Wulfstan Way shop area, a workshop for local people to attend and give their imput has been arranged for June the 15th, Queen Edith’s Chapel at 730pm. All are very welcome indeed to come along.

Following a phone call to Cambridge City Council street-scene that two Bus Shelters between Long Road and Homerton had been attacked with “orange” colour paint, the shelter contractor came out quickly and cleaned off the offending material. Geoff reminds residents to report such damage to Streetscene on 458282 and bear in mind it is criminal activity and we need to try and catch those responsible.

Geoff has been in touch with Highways staff at Whittlesford following his own inspection of a number of sections on Cavendish Avenue - which show not only a number of slabs with significant gaps but in some cases slabs that have risen up by some distance. We have some serious potential falls here waiting to happen - if action is not taken.

Geoff has had a number of complaints over recent days - about the number of young people skateboarding in the middle of Glebe Road - causing not only potential dangers to themselves but to other road users who come across these people whilst driving up and down the road. It is highly dangerous and if it continues there will be a tragedy. The Police have been informed in the hope that those responsible can be found and given advice.