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County Council asks Highways England to bring forward and implement proposals for the A35 at Wilmington ‘as soon as practicable’
I addressed Devon County Council’s Cabinet yesterday, and they gave their support to Wilmington’s campaign for crossings and traffic calming measures on the A35 through the village.I tell Health Scrutiny why Seaton and Honiton need to keep services in our hospitals – Exmouth Tory tells me I’m ‘abusing the procedure’
When Claire Wright put ‘community hospitals’ as an item on the Devon Health Scrutiny Committee today, I went along and argued why Seaton and Honiton hospitals need to stay open with all the services and clinics currently provided – and more. Then Conservative Councillor Richard Scott from Exmouth – where the hospital is safe because it’s kept its beds – accused me of ‘abusing the procedure’. Claire and deputy chair Nick Way (Lib Dem) both defended me. The Tories then block-voted against Claire’s attempt to get the Committee to protect ALL community hospitals.
More Refill stickers available for businesses willing to help people fill up their water bottles
These have gone up in many shops and cafes in Seaton. I have a new batch of stickers, so please contact me if you’d like one – cllrmartinshaw@gmail.com
I’m proposing that Devon County Council supports the creation of a Dorset and East Devon National Park
I’m putting forward a motion to the next meeting in July for the Council to support a new park, which would include the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and prepare a case for submission to the review of national parks recently announced by the Government.
Devon County Council Cabinet to discuss @HighwaysEngland’s delays in introducing crossings on the A35 in Wilmington, where people have to cope with narrow or no pavements and 1000 lorries a day
At the County Council on Thursday, my motion calling on Highways England to devote more resources to urgently address the need for remedial measures on the A35 in Wilmington – the worst situation of any community in East Devon, in my opinion – was remitted to the Cabinet where it will be considered on 13 June. Dr Philip Webber of the A35 Action Group told the Council of the conditions Wilmington people face and the new chair of the Council, Cllr Caroline Chugg, exceptionally allowed me to speak on the matter before it was referred to Cabinet. Cllr Claire Wright seconded the motion and Cllr Sarah Randall Johnson, formerly Wilmington’s councillor who now sits for another area, offered me her support.
I’m talking tomorrow at The Beehive, Honiton – alongside @ClaireWrightInd – about my campaigning at Devon County Council for hospitals, cycle routes and road safety. Still some places free!
‘TIME FOR A CHANGE IN EAST DEVON’ – the East Devon Alliance’s open conference, 10-1 (doors open 9.30). Speakers (apart from Claire and me) include EDA leader and EDDC Councillor Cathy Gardner, Geoff Jung (also on EDDC) and Pam Barrett, Independent Chair responsible for the revolution in Buckfastleigh Parish Council. The inimitable Paul Arnott of Colyton, Chair of EDA, will preside. See you there!
Seaton Beach Management Plan moving forward
Press release by EDDC:
Now that the Seaton Beach Management Plan has been adopted by East Devon District Council (March 2018), Exeter based coastal engineers Royal HaskoningDHV have been appointed by East Devon to complete the outline business case for a coast protection scheme for the town. The outline business case is due to be completed this Autumn.
The scheme, which is a recommendation of the Seaton Beach Management Plan, aims to reduce the risk of erosion to properties and infrastructure to the West of the town between Seaton Hole and West Walk by improving the existing revetments, and constructing a new defence between the existing rock revetment and West Walk.
The outline business case will involve more detailed surveys, investigations and modelling of waves, which will enable the outline design to be completed, costed and summarised in a report for approval by the Environment Agency so that Government funding for the works can be accessed.
Detailed topographic surveys of the existing defences using conventional techniques, as well as a drone, will start shortly and over the coming months investigations into the beach that lies directly beneath where new defences will need to run will also be undertaken, so that there is a good understanding of the location and depth of rock on which any structures will need to sit.
Councillor Marcus Hartnell, Stakeholder Group Chairman and deputy portfolio holder for the Environment, said:
“It’s great to see East Devon taking on board the recommendations from the Beach Management Plan and committing the funding to move a coast protection scheme for Seaton forward so we can access government funding.”
Alex Lee, Technical Director for Royal HaskoningDHV, said:
“We’re pleased to be working on this project with East Devon, drawing on our experience at Seaton in the 1990s as well as our more recent work at Sidmouth and elsewhere around Devon and Cornwall.”
Welcome to The Paper for Honiton, a big step forward in the local press!
Great to see that The Paper for Honiton has started to fill the big hole in the local press left by the demise of the View From series – now we need a Paper for Seaton and Colyton!
I’ve signed a petition for a fairer voting system in local elections in England and Wales
Last week’s local elections delivered huge majorities on many councils to parties which won less than half the votes. On Devon County Council last year, the Tories won 70 per cent of the seats for only 44 per cent of the votes: they feel they have a right to rule but really they only represent a minority. The Electoral Reform Society has a petition to change this, and I was pleased to sign.
