To all our Parish residents and stakeholders
Despite the onerous restrictions that Covid-19 and its derivatives have imposed upon us all, as far as I know, our Parish has been remarkably free from the worst effects of this invasive Virus. However, despite being fully innoculated, there are a small number of our parishioners who have become infected recently. It would appear that Lancaster is second only to London in increasing infection rate. The latest figures show that a triple-jabbed person is 90% less likely to be hospitalised. Two jabs – only 70% protection. No jab – who knows!?
In January last year, ‘Lockdown’ occurred and the Parish Council was instructed to meet electronically via Zoom. Your councillors also attended a Zoom meeting with the Architect presenting the case for the ‘Bailrigg Garden Village’ masterplan (3,500 houses at that time). An unconvincing presentation followed by, as you now know, a decision by Lancaster City Council to build 11,180 houses along the A588 as far as Condor Green. This will not be good for our narrow rural lanes as there will inevitably be increased traffic through our communities. Worryingly, the fields around Stodday are presently being surveyed. Worryingly, because the plan for the ‘Bailrigg Garden Village’ indicated the A588 as the Western boundary. Draw your own conclusions. The Parish Council will keep you informed as and when we can.
2021 proved to be a year of change for the Parish Council. Councillors Chris Norman and Brigid Letheren regretfully resigned as Councillors, having contributed greatly to the community through their knowledge and expertise. I am pleased to write that Councillors Duncan Hall and Heather Ward have now joined the Council, making our numbers up to the designated five members.
It was a year of cumulative successes. February saw work start to drain the deep flooding that often barred access to Snuff Mill Lane. Within a fortnight the ditching was completed and the flooding is now a thing of the past. Only one person has said she misses wading through the knee-deep waters. On the other hand, most folk were appreciative of the now-dry access and the re-laid gravel track.
At the end of March, following repeated requests from the Parish Council, the unstable Oaklands Court gatepost was safely rebuilt and the pedestrian gate re-hung.
In conjunction with Tim Dant, Abi Mills, (Ward Councillors) Gina Dowding (Lancashire County Councillor) and Alan Bargh, (local farmer) United Utilities were encouraged to re-line a foul-water sewer running from Aldcliffe Village down to Ivy Cottage. In addition, the combined efforts of the foregoing interested parties finally persuaded Lancashire County Council Highways to install a drainage system in the verge of Aldcliffe Hall Lane to absorb and carry away the ground-water that was flooding the lane and undermining the roadway.
In addition, together with the forgoing people plus Andy Ayrton (Farmer) and the Morecambe Bay Wildfowlers, who own the foreshore, the flooding along ‘Long Mile Lane’ has been relieved by new ditching and repairs to the Victorian drainage pipe which now discharges efficiently out to the river.
It would be tedious to itemise the many minor issues that the Parish Clerk and your Councillors take time out of their lives to resolve. Suffice it to say that whatever the concerns that parishioners may have, your Councillors will always do their best to help.
May I wish you all good health and prosperity in this New Year 0f 2022.
Nick Webster Chairman