I hope that you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. We certainly cannot complain that we didn't get any sunshine this year, but we never seem to get the weather quite right do we? I am sure we all love the sunshine, but 40 degrees! Really?

And in the future - hosepipe bans, energy bills crisis, power cuts looming, train strikes, postal strikes ... the list goes on. Let us all do the best we can to get though this and make sure that we all look out for those less able to cope. Also, beware because Covid is still around - I know this only too well as I tested positive a couple of weeks ago. I felt pretty rough for a couple of days but apart from that it was fairly mild.

You will probably all have seen that the scheme to improve walking and cycling facilities along London Road/Station Road has been given the go-ahead with phase 1 work due to start in autumn this year. The scheme supports the objectives contained in Herts County Council's Local Transport Plan and Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy. It also supports the DfT vision for walking and cycling by providing enhanced links for those choosing to travel by foot or bicycle around the Town. The scheme will create a new shared use path for walking and cycling along the eastern side of London Road/Station Road, which will result in a narrower carriageway and a reduction in the speed limit from 40 to 30mph.

The original plan had 25 mature trees being removed but following the public outcry this has been reduced to 7. Some of that 7 are diseased and would have been felled anyway.

The work will be completed in 2 stages - phase 1 from the A10 roundabout to Hare Street Road and phase 2 from Hare Street Road to Vicarage Road (design and programme of phase 2 to be announced following further stake-holder engagement).

EHDC are consulting on a raft of revisions to car parking charges. For Buntingford they are suggesting introducing charges on Saturdays and Sundays and doing away with the current 'no charge' period. This will be a real kick in the teeth for our High Street shops. Jeff Jones I know is trying to get EHDC to reconsider the Buntingford changes.

Graham Bonner, Chairman, Buntingford Civic Society

If you have any queries about Buntingford Civic Society or issues you would like to raise, you can email the Chairman direct at chairman@buntingfordcivic.org.uk.

The September issue of the Buntingford Journal will be available from the usual retailers from 26th August.

More information about the Buntingford Civic Society can be found here and membership forms can be found here.

This website and all the pages herein are © Buntingford Civic Society.