Track your views on new transport link at Whittlesford station
Duxford and Whittlesford residents are being asked to give their views to help launch a new smart and local bus franchise to help villagers get to the station and travel in the community. The Cambridgeshire Local Link pilot is due to be launched this month as part of a County Council initiative to meet local transport needs while encouraging enterprise and business. To help tailor the service to local needs people will be asked their views on a range of transport issues at Whittlesford Station.
Residents will be able to book a place on the mini-bus which will either pick them up from home or a nearby stop and take them to Whittlesford station. The vehicle can also be used by the community and local groups when it is not booked for other trips. The pilot is being run with NCS Contract Services Ltd until June 2012.
Local County Councillor Tony Orgee, said: "This is the first of several pilots being trialled across the County to see if franchise services can help cater for local needs as well as help kick start business and enterprise where they are introduced.
“We want local residents to take advantage of the flexibility of the service as compared to some more traditional bus services as well as help businesses take on the franchises. Not only will the bus be able to meet current needs but when it is not used could be utilised by other community groups for their needs, providing a brilliant local asset."
Cambridgeshire celebrating London 2012
With the Olympics set to make 2012 a year to remember, communities in Cambridgeshire are being invited to apply for money to help them organise events to celebrate the Games or Paralympic Games.
Cambridgeshire County Council has set up a special fund to help local groups and communities create activities and events to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in their local community, throughout the Summer of 2012.
Any bid should show how an event would involve and encourage young people as well as create a lasting and positive legacy for the community. Grants of up to £500 will be available with applicants expected to agree to contribute additional funding or support in kind and ensure the event is linked to London 2012.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The excitement is building ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012 will be a celebration not just of sporting excellence but of our cultural heritage and the ability of our communities to come together and celebrate the power of sport. Our new fund is there to help local groups and organisations make the most of 2012 and I can't wait to see the ideas come in and develop into reality."
For further information please contact Alastair Haines, Coordinator for the 2012 Olympiad on 01223 715 479, e-mail info@cambridgeshirecompetes.org.uk or go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/olympics2012/Small+Grants+2012.htm.
Beware of emergency drainage scam
Cambridgeshire Trading Standards Service has given a warning about a drainage repair scam in the county.
There have been reports that residents, especially the elderly, have been called on by so-called drainage contractors claiming to be working at a nearby property or business with blocked drains – and saying that the problem comes from a blockage in the resident’s drains. The residents are then charged up to £7,000 for the repair.
It is believed that this is the work of rogue traders.
Trading Standards say if you are approached by an individual claiming emergency drainage work needs to be done and asking for immediate payment, do not hand over any money.
Instead, send them away and ring the police on 999 – so they can get to get to the site as quickly as possible to apprehend the rogue trader.
Draining of the fens recorded for posterity thanks to grant
Cambridgeshire County Council's archives team has been awarded a £28,000 grant to help catalogue thousands of historic parchments, papers and maps of the draining of the fens from over 300 years ago.
The award, from the National Cataloguing Grants Programme, will enable archivists to create detailed lists of the unique documents left by the Bedford Level Corporation, which made the great fen drains during the seventeenth century. The project, which is also being supported by the Environment Agency and the Cambridgeshire Family History Society, will place all this catalogued information online, thereby providing access to wider audiences.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds said: "We are thrilled to have won this grant. It confirms that the history of the fens is not just important to the people of Cambridgeshire, but nationally too."
Before the Earl of Bedford and his Adventurers began their work in the 1630s, famously employing Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, the Cambridgeshire fens were covered by water for much of the year. The scale of the undertaking was vast, and the huge work to complete it which had not been carried out before, led to centuries of repeated new technologies to bring the fens to their current flood-protected state.
As their work progressed, they created many thousands of documents about the draining and about the people and places they affected. All these irreplaceable documents will be catalogued as part of the new project. Once complete, in 2013, the catalogue will be made available online for everyone. The National Cataloguing Grants Programme is a £1.5 million fund administered by The National Archives at Kew to tackle cataloguing backlogs.
This programme has been made possible by support from the Pilgrim Trust, the Foyle Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, the Monument Trust, the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, the Mercers Company Charitable Foundation, the Goldsmiths Company and the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust.
SCCA website editor, Peter Mann, adds:
The Making of the British Landscape: How We Have Transformed the Land, from Prehistory to Today by Francis Pryor, who farms and lives in Sutton St James, just across the border into Lincolnshire, also reflects on the draining of the fens:
"The symbols of the prosperity of the medieval fens can still be seen in the
cathedrals of Ely and Peterborough and some of the finest churches in the
whole of Europe. Even so, the myth still persists that the Fens were drained
by the Dutch in the seventeenth century. The history of Britain’s landscape
is rich in such persistent myths and I shall do my best to debunk some of
them.”
The title of this book, as the author acknowledges in the preface, ‘…is a respectful nod in the direction of W G Hoskins’s classic The Making of the English Landscape...’ Hoskins' book, which was published in 1955, remains the standard by which all other books on the lanscape of Britain should be judged.
Road safety upgrade to Madingley Hill
The County Highway officers have been worked on an improvement scheme to be implement in February 2012 to coincide with other planned maintenance work between the M11 and Madingley Hill. The work will involve reducing the outbound flow from two to one lane, with a realignment of the bend at the top of the hill. Traffic islands will be added to improve segregation of opposing traffic flows and some areas will be resurfaced.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said; I and local residents have been concerned about safety for some time and I asked officers to investigate what could be do to reduce the risk of accidents on this stretch of road. I am pleased that despite budget reductions, road safety is still seen a high priority and that the Council will continue to focus on areas where we can achieve the best outcomes for all types of road users.
Computer virus warning after scam catches people in Cambs
Cambridgeshire Trading Standards are warning people to beware after local people caught a cold by falling for a computer virus scam. This repeat warning comes because of continuing complaints about the scammers who contact people offering telephone support to deal with viruses on home computers.
Last year the Police shut down 19 companies for scamming customers in this way, but Trading Standards Officers believe that copycat scams are still operating and the complaints received may be just the tip of the iceberg. Tracing those responsible for the con is difficult as many of the companies operate from call centres abroad.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The police have had considerable success in shutting down this type of scam, but clearly the problem has not gone away and Trading Standards in Cambridgeshire are still receiving a considerable number of complaints about this con and we believe because the scam is so sophisticated there are many more people who have fallen victim – they just aren't aware of it!"
The scammers telephone people out of the blue. In some cases they already know the person's name and address, and falsely claim they are calling from 'Microsoft,' 'Windows' or one of the other major software companies. The caller claims the person's computer has been infected by a harmful virus or is running slowly. They then persuade them to view some information online which they claim indicates a problem with the machine and request remote access to the machine so that they can get rid of the virus.
After claiming to have cured the problem, they then offer the user a 'Microsoft preventative service contract 'or similar which they claim will allow them to monitor viruses on the computer on an ongoing basis at a cost of around £185 - those who sign up for the scam are asked to provide their details over the telephone.
Councillor John Reynolds, said: "These people are not connected with Microsoft or any other software provider and they have no way of knowing if a computer has been infected by a virus or is running slowly. They only want to trick people into allowing access to their computer whenever they like and into giving up their confidential bank details."
Trading Standards advice is for people to use appropriate anti-virus and defence software packages, and if they aren't sure, contact an expert for advice. Furthermore, if they believe there is a problem with their computer, again, they should get in touch with an expert, where possible seeking recommendations on experts from friends or relatives.
Anyone who feels they may have fallen victim to the computer scammers or has been contacted by such a company can report it or seek advice from Consumer Direct on 0845 404 05 06.
Chesterton train station on the right track
Hopes are high that a new train station for Cambridge will get the green light in the new year after a business case was submitted to the Government. The County Council believe they have proved the figures stack up for the £21 million project in Chesterton, and are now waiting for approval from Transport Minister Theresa Villiers.
Under the proposals, Cambridgeshire County Council would use borrowing for the construction costs, which would be reimbursed by rail operators on the line to King’s Cross. When she visited Cambridge in September, Mrs Villiers said she would consider including the repayments in the next train franchise, which is due for renewal in 2013/14.
County Councillor John Reynolds, said “This is a very positive step forward in delivering this much needed scheme which we and the department are striving to achieve. Cambridgeshire County Council has been leading on the campaign to build the station which will provide a vital transport link for Cambridge and the Science Park area, making the area even more attractive to companies and showing Cambridgeshire is truly open for business.”
It is thought 2,800 passengers would use Chesterton station daily, generating £10 million of ticket revenue annually. County Council documents reveal the station is listed for possible inclusion in the authority’s budget for next year.
County's A14 campaign secures major boost for economy
The Government has listened to Cambridgeshire County Council's campaign to improve the A14 after the congestion blighted road was included in a massive package of transport improvements. In his recent Autumn Statement, the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced that the Government is committed to finding both short term measures and more importantly long term solutions to the A14 problem. Cambridgeshire is ready to do its bit to work with Government and partners to develop a package of innovative measures, including examining road tolling and funding sources, by Spring 2012.
In his announcement the Chancellor echoed the points put forward by the County Council that the road should have increased capacity and improved performance to unlock new housing developments and business opportunities. This is part of the County Council's commitment to make sure Cambridgeshire is open for business and better transport links will encourage new opportunities for business growth and much needed housing at places like Northstowe and Alconbury. This announcement also shows that Government has recognised the Council's arguments that Cambridgeshire has huge economic potential and could kick start the UK economy if a solution to the A14 is found.
The County Council has been leading, with partners, local MPs, and the Local Enterprise Partnership a campaign to make sure the vital road improvements are placed firmly back on the Government's agenda. Cambridgeshire County Council has argued a range of solutions are needed including increasing capacity as well as safety improvements to junctions and other measures. The County has also said it is not just the road that needs improving but also putting more freight on rail and promoting local public transport alternatives, such as The Busway.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Government has listened to our arguments and I am really pleased it has agreed with us the road needs increased capacity and improved performance so that it can flow freely.
"Improving the A14 is vital for improving safety, supporting business and reducing congestion. But it is not just vital locally it is important regionally, nationally and internationally. At the moment it is a barrier to growth at a time when Cambridgeshire could help kick start the economy.
“The news of Government's strong commitment to finding an early solution is a great step forward but we will continue to push for the process to be carried out speedily and turn from talk to Tarmac.”
Andrew Lansley welcomes Chancellor’s commitment to improve the A14.
Communities champion new vision for libraries
Library officers and members have been touring the county talking to Friends groups, Parish Councils and campaigners who helped shaped the new vision for the service.
The views and ideas put forward from 13 communities whose libraries were previously 'under review' are now helping to take forward the new vision for 21st century library services, and will be used in discussions with other communities across the County.
Cambridgeshire County Council received an overwhelming response from communities to the previous consultation into libraries in support of their library services. In response the County Council launched its new vision for 21st Century Library Services that will keep and improve the service everywhere.
Groups have been reassured no community will lose access to their existing library services. Libraries could be co-located with other public services in community hubs and opportunities for increased income from commercialisation in libraries will be explored – this could include coffee shops, banking facilities and other services. The County Council will be engaging with the wider community about these options in early 2012.
Library services will also be modernised, with increased use of new technology to deliver services and enable more self service use, online and mobile.
In response to what communities said, the County Council will continue to take responsibility for the full running of the core library service offer and will meet the basic costs for running the service. The Library Service will recruit, train and manage volunteers and will continue to fund at least one paid member of staff in each library. Library Friends Groups will be encouraged and supported to continue their vital work in helping shape and maintain their local library service.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "We have been meeting with communities to thank them for their hard work and reassure them that no service will be lost in their area.
“We will also be taking the great ideas and enthusiasm they have shown for their libraries and using it when we talk to the communities around the county at our other libraries. What is very clear is that all of us feel libraries are vitally important and have a large role to play at the heart of local communities."
Library friends groups recognised at special event
A special thank you is being said to Library Friends groups who are thriving and growing in Cambridgeshire. On 9 December a Friends Recognition event was held to celebrate the hard work of the 20 current Friends Groups and welcome the 10 new groups that have been formed this year. Attendees shared some of their successes and advice. Friends Groups give vital support to the work of Cambridgeshire County Council libraries.
The groups, made up of volunteers, help in a range of ways from local promotion of the service, fundraising, putting on community events and even decorating and gardening.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Libraries are community hubs and the Friends Groups are an embodiment of that. Their support is vital and enable libraries to put on a range of events and be vibrant, flourishing places within their communities. Friends Groups also give important local input into the management and running of the libraries so they are tailored for local needs. I want to say a big thank you on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council to these unsung heroes and heroines and welcome the new groups that are being set up."
'Good neighbour' call from county council care chief
Cambridgeshire County Council's is calling on people to help public agencies care for the vulnerable in the community by becoming good neighbours. The call is in support of a new countywide Help at Home service, provided by the Cambridgeshire Care Network Charity and funded by the County Council and NHS Cambridgeshire. The service can be used by GPs, community and hospital support teams and directly by the public. It offers help with tasks like shopping, calling in to check if someone is warm and well, collecting prescriptions and linking people with other community and voluntary services that they may benefit from.
Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The new Help at Home scheme is an excellent way to ensure that those vulnerable people in our community get the help they often need, but are reluctant or unable to ask for. What we are asking people to do is not to become nosy neighbours, but concerned neighbours who gently keep an eye on people living nearby who may benefit from the new service and the other advice and support provided by agencies across Cambridgeshire including health and social care services."
Agencies across Cambridgeshire are working together to help people in the county stay safe, warm and well when the winter weather hits. The local NHS will be working with District Councils and voluntary sector agencies such as Age UK to provide advice on how to keep warm and well over winter, as well as encouraging vulnerable people to take up flu vaccinations, and avoid slips and trips.
Councillor Reynolds , said: "By working even more closely together, health, welfare and safety agencies across Cambridgeshire, can do even more than in previous years to support our communities and I am asking local people to help us to help those who need us by becoming a 'good neighbour.'
For more information on the Help at Home service, contact 01223 714 433 or visit www.care-network.org.uk - for health and social care services go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/social.
Cambridgeshire joins fair fares campaign
Cambridgeshire transport chiefs have joined a national campaign to secure fair funding from the Government for its concessionary bus scheme. Cambridgeshire County Council has signed up to the Fair Fares campaign which was launched by neighbouring Norfolk County Council.
The national scheme and the way it is funded has left Cambridgeshire County Council with a short fall of £900,000 to pick up. The Government gives the council a lump sum of £4 million to cover the scheme which does not reflect the actual number of journeys made. It costs the authority £4.9 million to run the scheme which provides free travel for 119,000 Cambridgeshire pass holders who undertake approximately 4.8 million journeys.
Councils across the country have backed the campaign asking for the Government to make sure the scheme is funded properly.
Norfolk County Council has set up petitions including an online one at www.norfolk.gov.uk – already thousands of people have pledged their support. Alternatively sign the Fair Fares petition at www.gopetition.co.uk.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Cambridgeshire has been at the forefront of backing the concessionary fare initiative and providing a comprehensive scheme for bus pass users.
“However, when the national scheme was changed, sufficient funding was not made available to cover the actual number of journeys made. In Cambridgeshire we have to find an extra £900,000 to cover the costs of the scheme. We fully support the scheme and all we are asking Government to do is to relook at the way it funds it and make sure councils are given enough money to cover this vital initiative which provides much needed independence for many people, especially in rural areas."
It's your call - drivers urged to take the taxi
Road safety officers at Cambridgeshire County Council are urging motorists to avoid drinking and driving over the Christmas period by taking the taxi instead. Around 3 per cent of all injury accidents in Cambridgeshire involve drink drivers. In 2010, 1,100 people failed breath tests – 121 of these over the Christmas period.
Previous Christmas campaigns have asked drivers to consider how many people's Christmases could be ruined if they kill or injure anyone as a result of their drinking and driving.
A new campaign – It's Your Call – sponsored by A1 Cabco and Fencabs and supported by Star Radio and Cambridgeshire County Council, highlights that drivers will lose their licence, and therefore possibly their job, as a result of being convicted of drinking and driving.
The campaign makes it clear that drinking and driving is a personal choice and stresses that drivers can still make the call to use a taxi instead right up to the moment they drive off in their car after drinking.
Matt Staton, Road Safety Officer for Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Any amount of alcohol can have an effect on your driving – it is almost impossible to calculate whether you are over the limit or not.
“During the Christmas party season we would urge people to leave their cars at home if they intend to drink and make alternative arrangements by booking a taxi, taking the bus or getting a lift from someone not drinking. It is also important to consider travel arrangements the morning after drinking heavily as you could be over the limit, even if you feel fine.
"We would like to thank A1 Cabco, Fencabs and Star Radio for their support in delivering this campaign."
Local County Councillor John Reynolds said: "This campaign makes it clear that drivers have the choice not to drink and drive, and outlines the personal consequences they could face should they make the wrong choice. In the current climate, losing your driving licence and potentially your job is likely to have a devastating effect. Therefore we would urge everyone to consider how they travel this Christmas party season.
"This ties in closely with the work done by our partners in the Police, who are conducting stop-checks across the county during December and will be clamping down on drivers found to be under the influence of drink or drugs."
More information on the campaign including downloadable posters can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council's Road Safety pages
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/safety/safetycampaigns.
Let there be light – find out where and when
Local people can find out when street lights in their community are going to be replaced and are being urged to watch out for letters alerting them to when work will start. They will also have a chance to comment on the replacements in advance. The work will also bring environmental improvements to Cambridgeshire by reducing energy use and carbon outputs while at the same time cutting around £350,000 a year from the maintenance and lighting budget.
Contractors working on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council have started work on the project which will see more than 50,000 street lights replaced and maintained over the next 25 years – but some people have missed alerts telling them when work in their area is planned to take place. Local communities are consulted in advance of the work and that consultation will continue throughout the replacement program and a rolling schedule of work is now available on line or via a special information 'hotline' set up by the contractor Balfour Beatty.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "The development of the PFI street light replacement programme and our partnership with Balfour Beatty gives us an opportunity to make significant improvements to street lighting and community safety in Cambridgeshire.
“Unfortunately some local people have missed the information on when and where the work will take place in their local area and I wanted to remind them that they can keep themselves fully updated either on-line or via the telephone information service.
“We have already been talking to local communities about the replacement work and any areas of concern where they would want to see better lighting to improve safety, while at the same time by using the most modern lamps and control equipment available we will be able to reduce the number of columns needed in some areas, cut replacement costs and make significant saving on electricity bills and carbon output."
For information on current and future replacement work, go to: www.lightingcambridgeshire.com and click on 'New Lighting'
Alternatively information is available on 0800 7838 247 or via e-mail at enquiries@lightingcambridgeshire.com.
Currently the County Council maintains around 56,000 street lights in Cambridgeshire. Under the PFI contract a single lighting standard has been introduced across the whole county using modern energy efficient lights.
The Government awarded Cambridgeshire around £52 million for the project. This allows the County Council to use a private contractor to do the replacement work over five years but for the Council to pay back over 25 years, rather like a mortgage, which has made it possible to tackle the backlog of poor lighting across the county.
Street lights will be replaced over the next five years by Balfour Beatty with the company then maintaining the network for a further 20 years.
Shop safe to ensure yule not be disappointed with what Santa brings
Cambridgeshire Trading Standards are offering festive shoppers help and advice to avoid disappointment on Christmas morning. Many people turn to on-line shopping to take the stress out of present buying, but all too often customers are not sure exactly who they are dealing with or that what they are buying is a genuine item or in fact exists at all. So far this year, the Police E-Crime Unit has shut down 2,000 websites for selling fake or non-existent goods. This follows the 1,800 similar sites closed down last year.
Local County Councillor Tony Orgee, said: "There are a lot of fraudsters out there who are looking to have a good Christmas by ruining the festive season for others. This really is a case of 'buyer beware', but our highly skilled Trading Standards Team and Consumer Direct are there to offer help and advice to ensure that people have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year enjoying their presents."
People looking to buy 'branded goods' should visit the Brand-i website (www.brand-i.org.uk) first to find genuine online retailers, approved by the brands themselves.
People should also check that the website provides a UK postal address in case of problems and to check that the business is genuinely based in the UK by looking on www.nominet.co.uk for websites that end in 'co.uk' or www.allwhois.com for sites which end in 'com'.
Fraudulent companies often use 'co.uk' addresses or UK postal addresses to mislead people and buyers should always ensure the website has a padlock symbol on the browser which indicates it has a secure payment system.
Trading Standards advice partner, Consumer Direct, is able to provide advice on issues with online or offline companies, on cancelling an online order or returning the goods, on how to claim a refund from a card provider for faulty or mis-described goods or any other consumer issue. Consumer Direct can be contacted on 0845 404 05 06.
Developing a Park & Ride service fit for the future
Councillors are set to hear about plans to ensure the award winning Park & Ride service in Cambridge continues to meet the needs of its passengers.
As part of a review of the service, which provides 3.8 million passenger journeys a year, officers are putting forward a number of recommendations to the Cabinet of Cambridgeshire County Council on Tuesday 13 December. These include:
- Concessionary pass holders should continue to be eligible for free travel on the Park & Ride service.
- Parking charges should be introduced at the Babraham site but only for non Park & Ride bus users who take spaces needed for those taking the bus into Cambridge to work, shop or visit.
- Authorising officers to draw up a fully costed business case based on different models for the provision of commercial Park & Ride services to be presented to Cabinet in January 2012 to maintain the existing service levels while reducing the cost to the Council.
The proposals follow a review which looked at reducing the costs of the service to the authority, ensuring passengers received the best service possible and continued to support economic growth in Cambridge City.
Local County Councillor John Reynolds, said: "Our Park & Ride service is used by thousands of people every day to get to work, shop or visit Cambridge. They tell us they really value the service which enables them to go into the city without the cost of parking charges or hassle of getting caught up in congestion.
“The challenge we face as an authority is to find a way of delivering the service in these very difficult financial times. The net cost each year to the Council is £700,000 – which given the pressures we face has to be reduced.
"We have looked closely at a range of options during the last few months and have come to several conclusions.
“Firstly, we do not want to make those who have a concessionary bus pass have to pay to travel on the Park & Ride. Many of these people are on low incomes and it would be wrong to put unnecessary additional burdens on them at this time.
“Secondly, we can no longer allow people who aren't using the Park & Ride service at the Babraham site to continue to park for free. I think we would all agree, it is not fair on those buying the bus tickets to effectively subsidise those who park and then walk to work in the local area. Over 200 spaces are used up every day at Babraham Road alone which often prevents many genuine Park & Riders from finding a space.
"We also recognise that we need to do more to reduce our own staffing costs and we will be looking at this in the next few months.
“Finally, we also have to look at how best we can run the service and whether we could save money by getting commercial operators to deliver the whole service. There will be challenges to this approach but we must look at all aspects if we are to keep a service which is highly valued by so many."
Contact John Reynolds
County Councillor John Reynolds
4 Holly Trees
Bar Hill
Cambridge
CB23 8SF
T 01954 200 571
F 01954 200 571
M 07720 379699
E john.reynolds@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
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