Tag Archives: milestone

Whats been happening in Suffolk over the summer

Home to school transport  Central government have made changes  to the age of statutory education.  It is now  compulsory to stay in education or training until you are 17 – and shortly it will be 18. These are impacting on poorer students who have to travel to college, as Suffolk’s free home to school transport policy  (as indeedthe  national home to school transport  policy) only covers students up to 16 years old.  Over 16s can avail themselves of a discretionary – paid – option but it costs £540 a year. Currently the SCC Administration are taking the line that the Endeavour card (offering 1/3 off available journeys  by some operators) will cover the problem, and that there are Bursaries to help the needy.  I do not think this is an adequate response and  I will be taking this up as a matter of urgency.

The Milestone in Woodbridge's Thoroughfare
The Milestone in Woodbridge’s Thoroughfare

Historic milestone lost – and found  The Thoroughfare Milestone outside John Ives was reported to me as  missing by an anxious local historian and nobody seemed to know where it had gone. We were for a short time worried that it might be a case of vandalism or theft. Luckily some nifty detective work by Woodbridge Town Council’s very own Kay Yule and myself has traced it to the depot in Melton and we expect it to be returned shortly.

Planning Application next to Dukes Park  I have had a lot of emails of concern from residents about the planning application to build housing on the field next to Dukes Park.As this is also the site through which the EA One underground high tension cabling is due to be routedI contacted the EA ONE  link officer at Suffolk County Council for definitive information on the separation necessary between  housing development and underground high tension cables.  You can find his brief resume of the status quo and implications on my blog : http://carolinepage.blog.suffolk.libdems.org/2014/07/26/dukes-park-and-east-anglia-one/

Travellers Sites Suffolk County Council has abandoned a public consultation on where to create three official Gypsy and Traveller stopping sites. The consultation identified seven potential sites – with the aim of selecting three in the areas where unauthorised encampments usually occur. However, following a number of landowners coming forward with other potential sites and early feedback from councillors and residents, Suffolk’s council and policing leaders decided to halt and reconsider. The sites were:

      • Layby off A143 opposite Shepherds Lane, Wortham
      • Land between Candlet Road and Treetops, Felixstowe
      • Layby on Felixstowe Road, Levington, south of junction with Bridge Road
      • Former Little Chef site, Kentford, between Bury Road and A14
      • Former Chippings Dump, Upthorpe Road, Stanton
      • Former Little Chef site, off A14 by the Orwell Bridge
      • A140 junction with Castleton Way, Yaxley.

Restoration of Woodbridge – Ipswich Sunday Service  Just to reiterate that from the 20th July a Sunday/Bank Holiday bus service has resumed allowing car-free travel between Woodbridge and Ipswich.  Suffolk County Council is sponsoring 3 return services a day between Woodbridge and Ipswich. As you know I have ben fighting for this since the  last was so disgracefully  discontinued at two weeks notice to us, the passengers, back in 2011.

The Sunday 65b will allow car free journeys to visit hospital and help young people get out on their own. It will be a boon for all people who can’t- or can’t afford to – drive. And its obviously a big boost for tourism. It is only guaranteed until the end of 2014 – after that, it depends on numbers – so it’s a case of use it or lose it!

65 b Sunday Bus Service                                         Key Stops

Woodbridge Turban Centre                             10.35               14.20               17.20
Woodbridge Pembroke Avenue                      10.40               14.25               17.25
Martlesham Black Tiles                                    10.47               14.32               17.32
Ipswich Hospital (adj)                                      10.57               14.42               17.42
Ipswich Tower Ramparts                                 11.09               14.54               17.54

Ipswich Old Cattle Market (Stand B)            10.00              13.45               16.45
Ipswich Hospital (nr)                                       10.11                13.56               16.56
Martlesham Black Tiles                                   10.21               14.06               17.06
Woodbridge Pembroke Avenue                     10.27               14.12                17.12
Woodbridge Turban Centre                            10.32               14.17               17.17