Chaired by Barry Kirby (Kingsway Village Residents Association), the meeting on Friday 14th May was very well attended. I’m sure one of my colleagues will have done a headcount, (I didn’t)… but I would estimate that some 50+ people attended. The official minutes will doubtless be published shortly, meanwhile here’s what I noted:
QUVL
Andy Smith (QUVL Project Manager) explained that he shares the role with Alistair Jewell who works in the Bristol office. Andy is based at Avionics House on the (future) Kingsway Business Park (from the Naas Lane roundabout I think it’s the first building on the left as you enter the park). He also added that residents are welcome to call / visit him there or even drop mail there for his attention.
During a discussion about road signs, Andy said that the QUVL also have a compound located on the access road by Manor Farm (off Woodvale). The compound is recognisable by the trailers parked there and can be used to "return" broken / vandalised / stolen road signs and anything else which is too large/unsuitable for delivery to the office.
Building Progress
Andy said that the recession has delayed building work on Kingsway by around 12 months, but that building work has restarted. We are currently about 30-40% complete (1,500 houses built of the eventual 3,000 and still many business premises to be built etc).
He also said that the shops / public buildings (Kingsway Centre / Community Centre/ Pub’ etc) will be situated on the far side of the Kingsway Primary School (off Thatcham Avenue) and most of the building work on the shops should be completed around October this year (Note: I’m a little uncertain on this point as I didn’t make a note, so wait for the minutes; don’t quote me – lol)!
Road Access
Many residents expressed concern over access to Kingsway (in view of recent accidents etc).
In response to requests/complaints about public traffic restrictions through the underpass from Valley Gardens to Matalan Business Park and from Thatcham Avenue to Tuffley, Andy said that the Gloucester City Council have expressly forbidden the use of either route the underpass – or the Tuffley / Thatcham link – for general traffic.
The access road currently used by contractors cannot be enhanced to allow public access because the road position is temporary (it will be moved around as the Business Park is developed).
Finally – the "Woodvale Blockade" is there to stop the flow of traffic through the business park whilst construction is in progress, but Andy revealed that the QUVL are – in fact – negotiating plans to replace the blockades with lockable gates (at either end of that road), so that they can be opened to allow public access when the main road junction is shut.
Apparently a safety audit is required in order to get the plan approved.
Street Lights
Problems have been reported with around 20-30 street lights. Andy said that they will be resolved ASAP.
Thatcham Avenue – Pavements
Surfacing of the pavements along Thatcham Avenue (from Woodvale to Uxbridge Lane) will begin today.
Adoption
Andy explained that the adoption process must follow a set order:
Ponds > Drainage > Roads > Open Spaces.
They are currently awaiting adoption (by the City Council) of the balancing pond (by the underpass on Valley Gardens).
Parking Issues
A lively discussion took place on the subject of parking, restrictions and enforcement and Andy (on behalf of the QUVL) stated that he was very keen to allow us (the residents) a great deal of input into the best "solution". He also said that the new CPS manager was far more approachable than was previously the case.
Andy also said that the recent increased enforcement activity was a response to complaints from local residents.
Comments / complaints were made about the general lack of parking, the appalling state of the double-yellow lines and lack of clarity around “permissable parking spaces”, as well as the inconvenience and danger caused by inconsiderate parking and the lack of CPS signs in some places.
One resident suggested asking for help/advice from the City Council (on the basis that they will ultimately be responsible for defining / policing parking in the area). Andy didn’t seem to think that this would be possible (‘though a new Kingsway resident who is also a member of the Highways Department spoke to me later saying that she was pretty certain it would be as cooperative safety audits of this kind are quite common for new developments).
Andy said that the QUVL plans to examine all the roads and have the double-yellow lines repainted so that they’re clearly visible. He also asked if we were in favour of allowing some parking areas, or would like the entire Village to be restricted and whether we thought that the existing clamping fee (£150) was excessive.
It was suggested (and – I think – generally agreed) that – since Kingsway most definitely does suffer from an appalling lack of public parking areas – the QUVL should examine the roads with a view to including as many safe on-road parking areas as possible, make sure that those areas (and restricted areas) are clearly marked, forewarn all residents and then re-commence regular enforcement activities (clamping).
We also agreed (with Andy) that the residents (via Baz_k and the Residents Association) should be closely involved with the QUVL in carrying out these plans.
Residents Assocation
David Clough (Treasurer) gave a summary of our financial activities to date.
Barry Kirby (Chairman) spoke about our plans to create a constitution prior to the next committee election, mentioned some future planned events (The Big Lunch in Kingsway’s big park and a Fun-Day at Waterwells), and remarked about plans for a Kingsway Football Team; which prompted another resident – Ian Gladding – to mention that he is Vice Chairman of Hardwicke Rangers Youth Football Club, and that they are holding a Football Match on 3rd/4th July (details to follow asap).
Summary
The meeting was very well attended and the presence of Andy Smith was very useful and much appreciated.
My Verdict: The best-attended, most interesting and most productive meeting so far.
Disclaimer: I’m not the RA secretary (for good reason)! The official minutes will contain the real story, this is simply my recollection (and since I left the meeting promptly to rush off to an all-night party, my memory may be less than perfect – lol).
Edit – 12/05/’10:
Minutes are now available from our Residents Association Home Page
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