Following concerns from residents I visited Green Park Drive at the school with the MK Council officer for school safety. What we observed was serious in its nature.

The major risks were:

1 Children being let out of cars with the door opening onto the road, sometimes in the face of oncoming vehicles

2 Cars stopping on the yellow zigzag school markings, even though there is an enforceable no stopping between 8am and 6pm. Offenders can receive a fixed penalty charge.

3 Three point turns on Green Park Drive in the face of oncoming traffic.

4 Drivers using the car park entrance as a turning circle to park at the roadside, instead of using the car park.

5 Drivers using other junctions as turning circles in the face of oncoming traffic.

All of these  are a high risk to children’s safety.

At the time the car park was less than 50% utilised.

As a result, the extention of the school markings to the car park entrance is now being considered. This will prevent any stopping after 8am.

An extension to some of the double yellow lines in the hope of improving parking safety.

Other solutions will be considered.

Visits by the local PCSO will also be arranged.

Residents of Sorrell Drive are concerned about the dog waste bags being thrown on the verge of the footpath running at the back of the odd numbers.  Conservative run MK Council has refused to provide a dog bin to for the waste bags.

The best they are willing to do is put up signs pointing out that discarding bags in this way is illegal and to carry out enforcement activity. Anyone caught discardiing bags will be subject to a £75 fixed penalty charge.

Following concerns from residents about the state of the bench on Wolverton Road I set about getting the council to repair it.

The wooden slats have been replaced and the seat is now back in daily use.

Following on from my requests to MKC early last year I can confirm that the railway walk redway is to be resurfaced within the next 6 to 8 weeks.

Copied below is an e-mail I received from MKC.

The length of redway to be closed is more commonly known as Railway Walk (between Greenlands Close and the play area situated at the rear of Whitethorns). The Closure will start on 21st May 2012 and continue until 10th August 2012.  It is unlikely that the works will take this long therefore the redway will re-open sooner once the works are completed.  Whilst this part of the redway is closed the alternative route will be via Wolverton Road and the footpath that runs between numbers 116 and 118 Wolverton Road .

 I am glad that after expressing residents views on this stretch of redway the Conservative run council has agreed with me that resurfacing is essential

The barrier at the services is almost always in the up position. This could be construed as making Little Linford Lane a motorway junction, with more cars entering Little Linford Lane than should be the case.

Your local councillors have met with the service area manager and it has been confirmed that from today, 27th April, a new barrier has been installed and will operate correctly.  Additionally, the service area manager has confirmed that spare ‘blades’ will be kept on site to reapir the barrier immediately if it gets damaged.

Owing to a blockage flooding of the forecourt has been a problem for residents.

I have asked MKC to look at this situation with teh aim of resolving it.

subsidence round duct

Residents of Sorrell Drive have contacted me regarding the subsidence around a duct in the parking court .   This has been reported to MKC with a request that repairs be carried out.

However, I believe that this area is not owned by MKC and could therefore take some time to resolve.

Vehicles parked by the services

Residents, especially those of  the Penny Royal estate, have regularly raised the problem of parking on Little Linford Lane by the motorway services. They say it is dangerous trying to exit from Pennycress Way, due to vehicles overtaking the parked vehicles and others coming over the bridge. Sometimes they find vehicles coming at them head on.  Conservative run Milton Keynes Council are aware of this problem but have taken no action.  Paul Alexander and Derek Eastman are continually pressing the council for action to resolve it. 

Following demands to the Conservative run council a possible solution is progressing.  This is a parking order to restrict parking on Little Linford Lane by the services to 2 hours max.  This might work.

If you read this please let me have your thoughts on this as a way forward.

Caution - roundabout

Be safe at roundabouts

One cause for concern that is raised regularly is safety at the roundabout at the junction of Wolverton Road and Westbury Lane. This is not exactly an incident free junction. I have been asking MK Council about making it safer and this is work in progress.  However, MK Council have erected a new sign to remind drivers there is a roundabout ahead. Please help reduce incidents at this junction.

overgrown tree branches stretching across the highway

New life and Growth

With the spring comes the growth of trees, hedges and most things green.  This does not come without problems.  Trees, hedges and bushes can slowly encroach across footpaths and roads and cause obstructions, although many of these are minor. However, judging by the number of contacts I get they are a source of frustration for local residents. If you are experiencing problems of this nature MK Council will act to get the highway cleared of obstruction.