Minutes:
There is an ongoing investigation on the Hillsborough Road information received.
Residents were informed that the shop to sell alcohol is not to be a 24-hour outlet. The licence has been granted up until 10pm. It is not to be an eating outlet.
Bricks were reported to have been dumped in a gutter on Kenilworth Road for the past nine months. Councillor Boulter stated he had not seen any bricks dumped at this location.
A drive way by the shops is being used as a shortcut into Gloucester Crescent and Cumberland Road. A blind spot has been reported there which it was felt may lead to a serious accident occurring.
Action:
Councillor Boulter is to check this issue and report back to the Forum.
Anti-social behaviour has been reported around the Crispy Chicken Food shop, the Doctor`s surgery and on the front by Bassett Street. Warning letters have been issued to a few individuals about this. Breaching a warning letter may lead to a criminal record and intervention by the Youth Offending Service.
Speed checks have been conducted on Gloucester Crescent by volunteers and a Police Officer, Councillor Boulter informed residents that this Forum had purchased the camera being used. The camera is one approved by the County Council, the new prison is helping to keep data on traffic movement for evidence,
A resident observed that if there is proof of an increase in traffic speeding the Council could help to do something about this. It was stated that Sturgeon Road is City, it may make a difference on traffic calming but it needs to be recognised the back end of South Wigston College is an emergency service route.
On the Saffron Road the average speed may be low but incidence of speeding was said to be quite high.
Big lorries were said to be using Dorset Avenue as a cut through from early morning to 7pm.
Action:
Councillor Boulter was requested to ask the County Council to put traffic calming measures in place on Gloucester Crescent. It was noted that the last time this was requested of County, it was refused.
Action:
Councillor Boulter stated he will raise the issue of speeding and traffic calming requests at County and bring back a response to the Forum.
Residents stressed Gloucester Crescent and Tigers Road end have all experienced excessive speeding.
The Police requested residents report dangerous and illegal driving. A specific form can be accessed to do this. It needs to include the vehicle registration number. This number is placed on the Police computer. A letter is then generated to the offender.
Halfway between the three local South Wigston roundabouts, it was reported that hundreds of vehicles are speeding at anything from, thirty to sixty miles per hour.
Highways have been contacted and requested to switch back on the street lights. Two residents reported their cars were broken into during the lights switch off.
Drug canisters have been spotted on the pavement corner by the petrol station on Blaby Road.
There has been complaints of urinating up the walls of St Thomas Church, allegedly by contractors.
Cars have been seen parked on foot paths. This makes it difficult for prams to get by and to have a clear view of the road. The Police advised residents to ring the Police Service to report this. There should be visibility of junctions of at least 10 metres.
Tickets can be given for wilful obstruction. The Neighbourhood Team can address inconsiderate behaviour. There has been inconsiderate parking on Northumberland Road.
A big white van was spotted parking on double lines obstructing the whole pavement. Residents were requested to photograph the vehicle but to note, taking photos can be seen as an invasion of privacy.
Turning from Dorset Avenue into Northumberland Road is obscuring both ways.
Shop windows on Blaby Road have been broken in the last three months.
At the corner of Gloucester Crescent and Saffron Road there is a mini roundabout. People are being forced to look down the middle of the road and are then at risk of being in an accident. It was reported that this is almost causing accidents, as it is a speed bottleneck.
Section 59 warnings have been served on some inconsiderate quad bike users in the area. This has occurred on Saffron Road and Gloucester Crescent, Warnings letters issued can last up to 12 months and go on a person’s DVLA licence. It can also lead to bikes being automatically taken off an owner.
Current crime figures are now available on the Police website. To access them, insert your post code.
The Police was thanked for attending the meeting. Recognition was paid to the fact that the Police attend. It was felt if they attended every other meeting the Forum runs the risk of breaking the link with the Police.
Action:
Place the issue of speeding on roads on the next agenda.