Does anyone know when the overgrown pathway on Chapel Road will be trimmed back?. It is becoming difficult to walk along safely. On our walk last week with my Granddaughter she got stung on her arms by the overhanging stinging nettles and also when its wet we are forced to walk on the road which is obviously not ideal . With the schools starting back in a few weeks I hope this will become a priority .
Now back in Norfolk and since nobody else from the Community Council has replied to you, let me help you with a response.
The Green Party representatives in 2020 proposed to Norfolk County Council (NCC) that it should create “roadside reserves” by reducing the cutting back of roadside verges.Back then, rural verges were cut twice a year.In 2021 NCC extended the policy to create cost savings.It was decided to still conduct a full cut in May but to only cut verges at highway junctions and signs in August.This is the reason why the trod pathway on Chapel Road is in the poor state it is.
As Highways Lead I have spoken to the Highways Engineer with responsibility for our area and raised concerns (safety, practicality, and future maintenance) relating to two pathways in the village, the TROD on Chapel Road and the verge path on Station Road from Top Common down to the School.
The contractor who cuts our verges is happy to do the work but he needs agreement from NCC Highways and this remains outstanding.The position at the moment is NCC “might” pay for it to be cut on the grounds of safety or we as the Community Council can pay for it.I will continue to push for a solution and keep you updated via the Council’s website www.spoonerrow.cc.
BTW If a resident has a concern relating to any other roadside verge area in our community please update the thread on our website or our Nextdoor group.
As you say, Norfolk County Council has a responsibility to cut the verges on the highway for public safety. If the Community Council decides it will pay for this it should then seek reimbursement from the County Council. Why should we pay twice?
Further updates on this matter will be made to the Community Council website www.spooneerrow.cc and made available to our resident groups on Nextdoor and Twitter.
If you need help accessing the Community Council website or any of our other resident groups please contact myself, Robert Foster or Stephen Ward. Contact details for our Clerk and all councillors can be found on the Councils website.
I prefer this website thank you. Get far better discussion on here as people can speak freely. I don't like the 'privacy' and security issues you have to accept by using Nextdoor. I choose not to use it like many others.
(Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for your kind words and support. The Community Council is welcome to also use this message board for updates to help with the dissemination of local information as it receives high usage.
Webstation)
-- Edited by webstation on Tuesday 24th of August 2021 03:00:05 PM
I hope the overgrown pathways are trimmed before the schools start back. Although I support the reduced cutting back of vergers and hedges to help wildlife, a balance must be made for public safety too.
Forget the wildlife on public footpaths. There are plenty of fields in Spooner Row, and Norfolk in general for wildlife! Public footpaths are for general public walking too and fro. Far more important they don't get stung or wrapped up in brambles, especially young children! Than it is for worms, ants and bugs in general to live happy ever after! Just a couple of feet away is all the fields and banks they need to be happy!
