Newsletters
Many people have communicated their feelings about the recent works undertaken at the ends of roads as they adjoin Woodstock Road: in Walton Manor, these include Farndon, Leckford, Plantation, St. Bernard’s, and the area around the shops under Belsyre Court, around St Bernard’s and Observatory.
The purpose of these works, which extend all along the Woodstock Road, was to encourage cycling and walking, and to improve the safety of cycling. The proposal took advantage of the availability of significant funds from central government for adapting roads for this purpose. Thus, the money for these works has not come out of Council Tax sources, and could not have been obtained or applied for some other purpose.
Whether the scheme has achieved its aim, or the expenditures as we have seen them unfold are justified for that purpose, are separate matters. The original proposal, which was put up for consultation some time ago by the County Council, included the removal of the bus lane and the cutting down of several large trees along the route. At least these items, which were strongly opposed, were removed from the plan.
Councillor Louise Upton has been in touch with the WMRA about the flower-beds, which many of you will have noticed appearing at the ends of roads, and a large one at Belsyre Court shops. The scheme apparently includes a budget for planting these. We have advocated that hardy shrubs, preferably small and providing good ground cover, be planted, not wild flowers as was suggested.
Once planted, the County Council is hoping that the relevant community organisations will take responsibility for maintaining them. This is not something that the WMRA wishes to take on formally for the flower beds in our area. However, we do wish to be helpful. So if there are keen gardeners among us – one has already come forward – prepared to do this, we would be grateful to hear from you. Please email us at waltonmanorra@gmail.com.
Some benches are also to be provided by Councillor Louise Upton from her ward budget. In due course, representatives from the WMRA will go walkabout in the neighbourhood with Louise to decide where to put them. One suggestion is near the Belsyre Court shops, possibly on the other side of the Woodstock Road at the corner of Bevington Rd. Suggestions would also be welcome for these, at our email address as above.
Due to high levels of interest, OUD have extended their consultation period on the Wellington Square Redevelopment to include another drop-in session.
There will be members of the team available to discuss the proposals with. Everyone is welcome to attend, on:
Monday 24th March 2025
16:00 - 19:00
Jericho Community Centre
The proposals include the redevelopment of 25 Wellington Square on the north of the square, refurbishment of the Western Terrace on the west side and improved public realm and spaces. Local contributions from December 2024 have helped develop the proposals and OUD would like to share the latest designs with everyone.
For more information, please visit www.oud.co.uk.
We hope you are enjoying the Spring sunshine,
best wishes
WMRA Committee
=============================================