The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Councillor Blog - Martin Barker - December 2015

Cllr Martin Barker, Cheshire West and Chester Council Member for Parkgate ward, catches us up on the last few months.

The sea wall at Parkgate is being cleared and repaired

Its time to reflect on my first six months as ward councillor for Parkgate and a lot has been achieved in such a short time. I am now getting to grips with my role as Chair of the newly revamped Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This job comes with many challenges, however, as the subjects for scrutiny have so far incuded child safeguarding, adult social care, education and domestic abuse, making it a role that is complex but rewarding.

The Parkgate Action Group is now in full swing and we have met on four occasions. The group consists of CWaC, Neston Town Council, local community groups including Parkgate Traders, Parkgate Society and Parkgate Communty Spirit group, and we have now introduced residents to the mix to ensure that individual residents who want to become involved can do so.

Two of my manifesto promises were to deliver improved parking facilities and seawall maintenance in Parkgate.Since the election I have taken action to delver on both of these promises. I have developed proposals and secured funding to undertake a significant improvement to the car park on Station Road. This will create up to 40 additional spaces and resut in substantial environmental improvement. With regards to the seawall I have been working with Bridges and Structures (CWaC) who have now agreed to remove the shrubs and weeds and carry out minor repairs to the wall. Work has already commenced and at least 30m from the Old Quay pub has already been cleared.

I have been having a series of meetings with CWaC Environment and Energy officers and members of the Parkgate Society and we are now close to securing a flood resilience box which will be located outside the public toilet block in Mostyn Square. This will contain items such as high visibility jackets, radios, gel bags etc to be used as an initial response prior to the emergency services arrival in the rare event of flooding in Parkgate. We are looking for more volunteers willing to become key holders and help out during any emergency. 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year!

If you think I can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact me via my mobile 07711 373104 or email martin.barker@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

SHric

At 11:49 on 22nd December 2015, SHric commented:

"This will create up to 40 additional spaces and resut in substantial environmental improvement."
A remarkable combination if you can pull it off. Its hard to see how adding so much tarmac (?) can improve the environment.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Poacher

At 19:33 on 22nd December 2015, Poacher commented:

"A flood resilience box...... Seriously....."

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Paul D

At 22:02 on 23rd December 2015, Paul D commented:

The work on the wall looks good. The team were out yesterday making good progress.

I tend to agree with Poacher regarding the flood resilience box. Seems rather pointless to me. The radios will need continual charging and maintenance are likely to be a possible target for theft. If we get a flood, exactly who are we going to call using the radios?

A defibrillator that is available 24/7 and not just during office / school hours would be a better investment in my view.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

CO Jones

At 08:12 on 25th December 2015, CO Jones commented:

Happy Christmas all,

Just wanted to mention that the flood resilience boxes work in so far as an immediate response if people and property are at risk. The content is limited and is only a start if there are significant levels of water but it's better than nothing.

I worked with these boxes in a professionally capacity and on some occasions, they were the difference between water in a house and water being prevented from entering.

Ignore if you want or alternatively be of the opinion that something is better than nothing.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Grumpy.Old.Git

At 10:39 on 6th January 2016, Grumpy.Old.Git commented:

A Guid New Year
Great that the plants are being removed from the wall and maintenance being implemented. But they will be back. Nature abhors a vacuum (ecological succession) - how long before we have to do it again.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Paul D

At 11:46 on 6th January 2016, Paul D commented:

Hi CO Jones.

Very sorry for the delay in my response to you.

I am happy to keep an open mind, given that you have personal experience with the boxes. I fail to see the value because I clearly do not understand what the box contains.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Dennis L

At 20:34 on 11th January 2016, Dennis L commented:

40 Car spaces in Station road car park will require a new pavement on the LH side leading to the parade where at present there is a grass sidewalk.

Further car parking could be provided near the entrance to Park Fields.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.