Round the Districts

THAMES GATEWAY

Keith Francis, the Thurrock district representative for CPREssex, has been trying to get more details about the massive Thames Gateway project and recently went to the Thames Gateway Exhibition held at Extel in London.  Although tickets were £80 each, Keith discovered that CPRE can get free tickets for members at future exhibitions.

This is his report… 

There was a vast model of the Thames Gateway area highlighting all the proposed changes. Gordon Brown gave a speech re-iterating his proposals for an additional three million houses and at the same time expressing the need for strong protection of the Green Belt.  He also mentioned the creation of eight ‘eco-towns’. 

I visited some of the Government stands and tried to ascertain where these towns were to be situated but the only sure indicator I received was that one would be in Cambridgeshire. Thurrock Thames Gateway had a stand principally promoting Fiddlers Reach, a brownfield area bordering the Thames as a possible site for 2500  It was admitted that this development was solely dependent on private finance and if this did not materialise the project would be frozen.  There was a stand promoting all aspects of the Olympics with experts answering questions from the stage.  Surprisingly, there was no stand representing the Dubai/P & O Ports.  I collected various pieces of literature including a new Ordance Survey map of Thames Gateway which will be available at the next meeting. 

Keith Francis:  CPREssex (Thurrock)

Colchester 

Is it possible to make money out of roundabouts?   Colchester Council obviously think so and that is worrying Colchester group members.  The council see it as a way to raise revenue.  They are inviting organisations and companies to display  non-illuminated  advertising boards on the 111 sites within their control.   So far they have received 29 applications.  Colchester believes, quite rightly, that these could have a distracting influence on motorists.  Roundabouts demand concentration and skill from the driver to negotiate them safely and not put other road-users at risk.   That can’t be guaranteed if their attention is diverted by a sign. 

The insidious growth of signs on trunk roads is being highlighted by CPRE National Office.  Along the A12, A130 and A13 – and no doubt other places as well – it’s possible to see advertising, amongst other things,  for car boot sales, tyres and insurance.  Colchester Council doesn’t allow advertisers to put boards on trunk roads.  It seems strange that roundabouts are not included in this ban. 

If you have a view on this then send comments to press@cpressex.org.uk