HOPEFULLY, IT IS A FINE AUTUMN

A fine autumn in one sense means progress on the many areas of the town which require attention to bring paths, roads, green areas and shrubbery to an acceptable standard. There is a feeling of utter disillusionment with Hertfordshire Highways and East Herts and the inaction which leads to headlines in the Mercury stating ' demand of a 1000 must wait ' when the 'demand' is a wholly reasonable request to make the pavements in Buntingford High Street free from trip hazards. There have been a number of falls and injuries some of them quite serious and it must be only a matter of time before someone initiates legal action to secure damages for injuries caused.

Whilst we are on the subject a fresh hazard is the collapse of a section of the railings alonside the Rib near Layston Gardens - this is a busy pedestrian route including school runs and a horrifying prospect of no protection when the Rib is in full flow. Lets see how long it takes to replace the railings - a month, six months, a year ?

If anyone needs reminding Buntingford residents pay the highest council tax in the district and we should insist on getting value for money and continue to demand that necessary things are done in good time and to a high standard.

The Civic Society was formed over thirty years ago by a group who were greatly concerned over the loss of a key property in the High Street ( site of Somerfield supermarket ). We fear that there is a potential risk of history repeating itself with the lack of progress in redeveloping 59,High Street. It is well over a year since the property changed hands and we understand that there has been unreversable deterioration of some important outbuildings during that time. Once again, lets hope that the developer and planning authority promptly resolve their difficulties and a fine building can take its proper place in the town.

There is another site stagnating to the detriment of Buntingford and that is, of course, 2,Hare Street Road. Planning permission was granted some months past but the developers have not yet started building work.

The future of development in Hertfordshire is subject to a wide range of pressures from central government down and a recent decision to disband the East of England Regional Assembly by 2009/10 and replace it with a Regional Development Agency is a major cause of concern due to the absence of democratically elected representatives in RDA's. The Civic Society with the Civic Trust and partners such as CPRE Hertfordshire, ANTAS and EEACTS will monitor this situation and seek opportunities to influence events. See

Finally, many thanks to all who made the Classic Car Show such a resounding success and well done Buntingford cricket teams for a successful season.

Derek K Cooper, Chairman.