Well, all leaflets and all letters have been delivered.  The good side effects are a thorough look round the ward and some very rewarding conversations.   It is cheering to see just how well kept the vast majority of houses and gardens are.  However there are the odd or two one that need a good clean up.  District owned land needs some attention, particularly the bit on Acton Road.  I will point that out to MSDC officers yet again.

Many of the conversations involved the delayed closure of the Household Waste Recycling Centre.  Older people don’t want to face the stress of a drive into Ipswich to dispose of garden waste nobody wants the extra fuel cost or environmental impact.  All were pleased that closure has been delayed.

Concerns about the Incinerator were focused on increased HGV traffic and loss of house value as I expected.

The lack of a late, or even mid evening bus to allow people to return from shift work of entertainment in Ipswich to Bramford was a significant concern.  I will take this up with the County as soon as the election is over.

The change of direction on Lollipop Ladies and Libraries were welcomed but people were concerned that this is again just for the election and that the devil will be in the detail.  Since not a single Tory voted with us when we proposed changes to the most damaging proposals I have to agree that is likely but I hope it is a genuine response to opposition and public pressure.

Will the possible commercial solution for the waste site work?  Well it may if the County can be persuaded to pay for the disposal of “residual waste”, the bit you cant recycle and would go in your black bin and garden waste.  I am trying to convince them that that would be sensible.  Overall I hope this proposal does not fade away when the election is over.  It is surprising that there are no details available yet.

See the “waste figures” page for costings.