Down Your Way, for Mon 2nd April

The results of the recent permit parking consultation are being collated and are due to be presented to the council for ratification and residents with permits will be informed in due course. However early information is that a total of 822 questionnaires were hand delivered to residents living within St. James. A total of 258 were returned which represents an 31.4% response rate. The average return rate is around 20% to this type of consultation so this represents a good response rate for the zone. It was also one of the highest return rates of all the zones consulted.

A total of 97% of respondents were residents and 3% businesses. An average  proportion of residents (24%) do not own a vehicle, 49% have 1 vehicle and 27% of respondents have more than one vehicle. Of all the responses, 26% have access to off-street parking. The majority of residents 86% still want a permit zone in their area, 14% want the permit zone removed. From the feedback to the consultation it is clear that residents want to see the permit scheme operate over a 24hour period and this is partly due to the perception of non permit holders parking overnight. It is also clear that residents want the scheme to operate 7 days a week and the common reason for this is because the Saints also play games on a Sunday. There was a general consensus that lack of parking was an issue and that a limit should be introduced of 2 permits per property. Given the number of businesses in the area and different user groups requiring parking, residents identified that some short stay parking is very valuable to the area and didn't want to see a change to reduce the amount of limited waiting. However there is conflicting views about the 'free spaces” with some residents seeing the benefit for these areas and others thinking they were open to abuse by residents who were using these spaces to avoid buying a permit.

A common theme in the responses surrounded enforcement, especially on match-days with general views being not enough was being done. More information as to the proposals will be available in the near future.

The issue of fly tipping and household rubbish being left on the streets well before collection day is rearing its ugly again in the area. Some residents have been making complaints to the residents association. The Environmental Warden is apparently aware of the situation as is Cllr Wire who actually went to the trouble of flagging down a passing Enterprise collection lorry to get some fly tipping and rubbish collected. The worst affected areas are Ambush St (again), Wimbledon St, Sunderland Street, Byfield Road and Greenwood road. It has been highlighted that there are a lot of rented houses in this vicinity and some in multiple occupation where a lot of residents do not have English as their first language, so making it hard for them to understand any literature pertaining to rubbish collection, in addition storage of rubbish from the many people sharing some of these houses makes it difficult as well. Residents are urged to be considerate when disposing of waste and use the proper services. Contact the Council for more information on collection of bulky waste and to report fly tipping on 0300 330 7000 or cleansing@northampton.gov.uk, in addition you can report a problem online via the interactive map which gives a whole host of issues to choose from, go to http://www.northampton.gov.uk/ and follow the links from  the home page.

The changing rooms in Victoria Park are now being given a long awaited overhaul, the work is expected to take around six weeks. Let's hope the footballers will use the toilet facilities instead of the trees when the work is finished.

A representative from the Environment Agency has been invited to the next residents meeting to talk about flood prevention issues and the work they have been carrying out on watercourses in the area. The St. James Mill flood relief channel has been recently dredged have parts of the brook in Victoria Park.

Families and children of all ages are invited to an open day at the Siemens Traincare facility at Heathfield Way, Kings Heath. Dubbed the "Whistlestop Tour, it is an opportunity for local people to find how Siemens maintains London Midland’s fleet of Class 350 Desiro trains. All aspects of maintenance and repair will be on show to visitors.  Whistle Stop Tours offer an unforgettable, behind the scenes tour around a state-of-the-art Siemens train maintenance facility. Following on from successful open days at the Ardwick depot for the last three years, they will be opening the doors to their Kings Heath Traincare Facility in Northampton on Saturday 5th May 2012, in conjunction with London Midland. Please note there will be a second open day for rail enthusiasts and staff, with the date to be announced shortly. Tours will run on the hour from 9am - 3pm and must be booked in advance. The event is free, with activities and refreshments, including stalls to raise money for the local baby care unit at Northampton General Hospital. For more information and to book tickets go to
www.industry.siemens.co.uk/mobility/uk/en/rail_solutions/whistlestoptours/Pages/WhistleStopTour.aspx or visit www.facebook.com/whistlestoptour.

More fundraising activity will be happening in the area on April 14th, when the Terry Wire April Fools motorcycle run takes place. This annual event, now in its ninth year has raised £22,000 for Friends of Cynthia Spencer hospice. Nearly 200 Harley Davidson motorcycles are expected to gather at the car park of the Cobblers in Sixfields before setting of on the run to the town centre via Weedon road and St. James Road. The bikes will assemble at 9.00am before departing at approximately 1030 am to arrive in Abington Street at around 1045-1100. There the bikes will be on display and a collection will held to raise money for the Friends group. This event goes from strength to strength and is an unforgettable sight and sound! The event organised by Cllr. Terry Wire is supported by Dave Barringer from Northants V-Twin, the Harley Davidson and Buell specialists of Stenson Street, Towergate Risk solutions and Northampton Town Football Club, as well as logistical support from Northants Police, NBC and NCC and of course the local media.

Many of you will already be aware that the Olympic torch will pass through the streets of St. James as part of the Olympic torch relay. This will be on Monday July 2nd at around 10:20 am and should provide a bit of a spectacle. Organisers are hoping that as many people as possible will line the route and that individuals will organise events around it as “Local Leaders”. In addition they are also encouraging people to plant Olympic themed gardens and planting areas, even window boxes! More information is available from http://www.london2012.com/.

It is also the Queens Diamond Jubilee in June and the council is encouraging residents to celebrate with a street party. All relevant information is on the borough council website at http://www.northampton.gov.uk/.

The next residents meeting will be on Thursday 19th April at the Doddridge Centre in St. James Road at 7.00pm. Amongst the agenda items we have a guest  speaker form Northampton Sikhs who will be informing us of the new Sikh Gurdwara in St. James Mill Road, and how it will support and become part of the local community. Other speakers are still to be confirmed.

For other news and information why not visit the new look SJRA website at http://www.sjra.info/