Bi-Monthly report of Stutton Parish Council Aug – Sep 26

After the water mains burst in July, Anglian Water (AW) sent representatives to our August meeting. A lively evening with 27 members of the public plus Parish Councillors and our County Councillor. A full report is on our website but highlights are that locally AW believe the old Asbestos Cement (AC) pipes need replacing and we await decisions by AW as to when this will happen. AW agreed that the reinstatement and opening of the road after the incident by the School should have taken only half of the 8 days it actually took. They apologised for this. For the future, they agreed better and formalised sharing of information with the Parish Council about progress so we can keep people informed and more detail (such as distance to the actual road blockage) on diversion signs. The Parish Council are in discussions with Holbrook Parish Council, Anglian Water and Suffolk Highways about planned work in late September and early October at the Royal Hospital School. It is looking likely there will be a period where the road will be closed and a diversion in place followed by a period where traffic will be able to get past the work site with a Traffic Light system. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to pass through at all times and we will endeavour to keep everyone informed. See this website for latest news.

Our Road Safety Project team has been very busy and have submitted their second report. The first report investigated whether there was a case for a 20 mph speed limit through the village and concluded this was neither justified nor likely to be approved within Suffolk County policy. The team then completed a road safety survey of the village and 62 items were catalogued. The majority of these were dirty or crooked signs or signs and pavements restricted by foliage. Nearly all of these have been put right by DIY fixes by the team or by persuading householders to cut back their hedges and trees, together with action taken by Suffolk Highways following reports from our team. We certainly hope you will have already noticed these improvements as you go about the village.

The Project Team are recommending to the Council three major matters which will require funding. These are firstly, the widening of the footpath outside Roban House (near the Community Hall). Secondly, a complete revamp of road markings outside and on the approaches to the school and thirdly new “flashing” warning light signs outside the school operating at peak times when children are arriving at or leaving the school. Final negotiations are ongoing and costs are being fully established. Expect to hear more about these projects in the future.

There has been a lot of other smaller issues with which the Council have dealt and we are looking for support on our “litter pick” on the 3rd October 10 a.m. – meet at Post Office corner. For more information about the Stutton Parish Council – see this website.