Councillor Steve Swift

The first official meeting of the Bottesford Neighbourhood Action Team took place on Wednesday 21st February at the Civic Hall with an excellent attendance and lasting no less than three hours.

As all interested parties met to look at and seek to address problems across Bottesford it was pretty evident that the main areas of concern centered around shopping outlets, particularly Holme Hall Avenue, Quebec Road and Eton Court, with the general theme of youths and annoyance along with graffiti throughout the town.

Identifying the issues is perhaps the easy part but solving the problem is a greater hurdle, however fingers crossed and with everyone on board lets look forward to some successes. 

With the increase in development and traffic flows is it now time to review the speed limits on Messingham Road (A157) Bottesford ?

The stretch of highway in question runs from Bottesford's border at the beck to the Yaddlethorpe Cross Roads. Despite being in a 'built up' area the road has maintained a 40 m.p.h. speed limit as opposed to a 30 mile limit as with other areas. 

The introduction of speed cameras anywhere is always controversial which as a local Councillor I know only too well.

In Bottesford speed cameras were introduced in a number of locations considered as 'hotspots' some years ago and at the time were welcomed by the majority.

However over time there appears to be a growing scepticism as to their validity especially in the Cambridge Avenue and Moorwell Road area.

So the question as to whether speed cameras are good in that they reduce speed and accidents or bad in that they are an easy and simple way of collecting additional cash in the way of fines is not an easy one to answer.

Perhaps there isn't a right answer as one thing's for sure - views are certainly varied on the issue !

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Posted by: steveswift    in: My entries

Over the last month or so a number of residents have raised with me, the state of the walkway known as the Linear Walk and the adjacent Bottesford Beck area.

Differing parts of the open space area have unfotunately been spoiled by work that is being carried out. This should hopefully be put roght by those responsible.

A feasibility into upgrading these public footpaths is also being carried which with some luck will see wider improvements

I was disappointed to learn at last night's Town Council (05.02.2007.) that Bottesford had not been successful in being put forward for Big Lottery funding following a meeting of North Lincolnshire's Decision Panel.

A successful bid would have seen the enhancement of play equipment in each of Bottesford's three major parks - Valley, Greenacre and Chancel.

The announcement was perhaps more disappointing given the involvement of all local schools and children during the preparation of the submission.

Despite the set back, hopefully along with Town Council colleagues we can start exploring other areas of funding. 

As the debate on the future of the Post Office Network continues, Bottesford chose to take a less parochial approach than some as post offices along with other local facilities are more of a community issue as opposed to a rural versus urban one and responded accordingly.

Of course the debate is not an easy one as more and more people opt to pay their bills by direct debit, use the internet for sevices, have their pensions paid direct into bank accounts etc. Yet coupled with this how many offices can we sustain or adapt for the future as a community facility ?

In Bottesford we have already encountered change as the 'traditional' post office closed to be accommodated in the neighbouring supermarket and yet despite initial concerns local residents appear, in general, to have embraced that transition.