Blewbury Parish Plan Project Archive Page The Parish Plan was completed in 2004. This page has not been updated since then. For current information on Blewbury go to the main Blewbury site.
	Comments received at the Open Days

Introduction

This records all comments collected at the Open Days on 9th and 10th May.

Comments have been collected together under topics as far as practical, as similar issues were raised under different headings. There has been very minimal editing of comments, and it is believed that all comments are included, apart from some ticks on the display material.

Comments on comments are indented and highlighted, as here.

Village Hall

Plenty of Grants available
Landfill tax - WREN, TOE
Carnegie
Rural Development Agency
Countryside Agency
Defra
OCC
Community Fund
to name but a few.

New Meeting Room
A new well designed attractive high quality building used by school and the community with dedicated ancillary outside space please!

Agreed

(Hall in new pavilion)
WRONG PLACE

Agreed
Yes to additional small hall.

What about the Playgroup Area as a space for some activities?

New Meeting Room Unnecessary, Methodist Club Rooms are central - can be hired for use.

Facilities in Hall
Baby changing facilities in the village hall?
It could go in the disabled loos.

Excellent idea to have strong light-weight foldaway tables - would help storage problem. Also be safer as worry about children hurting themselves on tables when enjoying club activities.

Agree, light-weight folding tables an excellent idea.

Car park marking in Village Hall Car Park

Agreed

Increased importance of car park markings

Less car usage:
Covered secur(er) cycle parking might help encourage this.

Storage a big problem in the Village Hall especially since the new PO was opened. Another building is required. But where? Big problem.

Completely revamp heating and ventilation in Vale Room.

More effective heating for Village Hall

More funds to have Hall cleaned properly (above floor level)

Other Ideas

(Central on-line booking system)
Not everyone is on line.

Publish Village Hall hire rates in the Blewbury Bulletin

Top of Page

Younger Age Group

I think it’s great what local people have done to provide skate park, tennis courts, new play area etc.

I feel generally a good range of clubs/activities provided e.g. music for toddlers, Youth Club etc.

Good Points Here!
We have an amazing amount of Clubs and Groups, do all of them have a Junior Section? I know some do!
The Croquet Club would be very happy to run a junior section - if there were a demand Is there?

Current Needs
We desperately need a club for teenagers, obviously there is a need for helpers and volunteers as the present Youth Club Committee are busy.

Yes I agree

As an assistant guider for Upton and Blewbury Guides I agree that there is a lack of adult help. Upton & Blewbury Brownies are currently facing a major crisis due to lack of adult help and may eventually be forced to close. WE NEED PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER.

Not all kids want to ‘skateboard’! Guiding and Scouting has changed dramatically in the last few years. As a Guider, I know we need volunteers, but the old stereotypes do not exist any more! ADULTS - WHERE ARE YOU?

Teenagers like ‘space’ not organisation.

Is anyone able to provide some art club type of activities for children?

Education

School IT Centre was intended for use by community - could this be increased/encouraged?

Changes in school funding may impact Playgroup - needs to be supported by community.

Develop links between school and community. More Village use of school facilities.

We should assist/encourage our school to thrive - it is a vital part of the village. Are there things that can benefit the village generally but also help to achieve this aim? E.g. New Hall.

Walking Bus and School Transport

Would any Village inhabitants be willing to help supervise walking bus from Bridus Mead to School - as this venture was very popular when trialled last year during ‘Walk to School’ week.

Cut down use of cars by encouraging Didcot and other parents to use existing walking bus from Savages.

Support walking bus that uses existing village footpaths.

Parents who live in Blewbury should be asked (individually) not to drive their children to and from school unless they are on their way out of the village anyway.

If you have to drive to school - why not drop your children off at Savages in the morning? You would be helping some of the car problems in the mornings and would also gain an extra half hour to yourself in the mornings!

Older Age Group

Many points raised in this section are placed in other sections such as Transport and Traffic to gather comments on each topic in one place.

The reduced medical facilities may drive older people away.

Incompetent staff at Woodlands surgery in dealing with villagers’ enquiries and problems

There were four surgeries a week in the 1970s how can we reinstate them I wonder.

It would be useful if the bus went as far as Woodlands.

Community Warden like in Abingdon, to liaise with Police and other organisations.

Note
The Flying Squad does provide Transport

Not to JR I don’t think

Note 10 B (I have not found which note this is yet) I share this concern

Ditto

Note on Welcoming people to the Village
The present welcoming scheme does include everybody, but occasionally people do “fall through the net”.

Recreation

Toilets on Tickers Folly essential

Warden to look after new Play Equipment

Tickers folly field should NOT be used for fireworks and bonfire unless cleaned up properly afterwards. They have made a terrible mess.

Surely that is what the field is for. Tickers Folly is a community area - the bonfire organisers made a great effort to clear up. Perhaps we might teach everyone to clear up.

What is happening to the London Road Tennis Court - any news re basket ball club/training/posts.

I am a visitor from Somerset:
1. Paint Ball Stadium
2. Ski Slope
3.Skate Board Park

Sign needed to Skate Board Park

Shopping

Garage Shop needs notices visible from both directions as it is now a shop and not a filling station. This might attract more passing trade.

I spoke to BAL (Owner of Garage). He can only buy petrol from the supplier for far more than TESCO and Pals sell it for.

If people don’t use the garage and shop, the post office and the Pubs regularly they will close.

Removal of Petrol price notice stand - very ugly and useless.

We should all support local amenities p’haps.

Ticked

We should contact Garage etc. and see if there is more District Council or members of the Community can do to help ensure we keep these facilities.

Concern about young people selling poor quality goods, very pushy - found one in my kitchen!

Post Office
Use it more and understand that being rude to the poor people who work there are human too.

Utilities and Services

Rubbish Collection

See also Litter section under Environment.

Wheely Bins

I agree
Good Idea!
YES!!
No! They are so ugly and on smaller properties a problem!

Wheely bins are good if they replace black bags - reduce the use of plastics. They are bad in that they are large, hence encourage more rubbish into land fill and less recycling.

Wheely bins need level stands few roadside areas are suitable. Also in high winds they move!

Not keen on wheely bins unless they are the short ones!

Litter and Rubbish is very often spilt onto roads and paths after bin collection. Animals (CATS) also rip open black plastic bags. Dustbins/wheelie bins would stop this.

Dustmen should make exceptions when its bin days for picking up the older people in the village. I live in a cul de sac next door to an older person who cannot walk, but do pick up bags of rubbish froma one parent family from their door. I hope there will be a change of approach.

How about a Green Waste Collection point in village - once a week. Not all have cars.

Good Dustbins with fitting lids and a closing bag inside it if possible.

When do we have cardboard recycling from the kerbside?

Yes
Ticked
Ticked

and other plastics beyond bottles

Hear hear

What about community composting See Kent CC.

Overhead Cables

Underground Cables Please

Ticked

Poor beautiful Blewbury. festooned with ugly power cables. No need for this. Grahame Close got planning permission only if all cables were put underground - this is so and how tidy it looks. Half way up Westbrook Street the lines look like washing lines.

And Telephone Lines!!

Water

Water should be restored to old cemetery, which should not suffer due to the facilities in Tickers Folly Field. Many old people cannot bring water to the cemetery,

Crime and Policing

Police not coming out when called.
I think we should have every right to be protected by police at any time called.
Police were called on the 27th to deal with cars in a cul-de-sac response was not interested.

Police cover in the UK at the present time is disgraceful. Looking at several letters in the Didcot Herald of late confirms this lack of cover in Oxfordshire and the lobbying of MPs and Councillors is strongly advised.

My experience of police call out at night has always been very efficient.

Agreed

Assuming that ‘out of hours’ service is provided from Abingdon how can a 15 minute call out ber achieved?

When was the last time anyone in Blewbury was attacked? There was a murder in Harwell in 1860 or so. Some education about the real risks is needed to stop people worrying unnecessarily.

Actually there have been two in the last couple of years. Both serious, but if dealt with by a different department doesn’t show on our records. Also - police don’t come anyway.

Police House

Why is the police house empty?

Ticked
Ticked
Agreed! Surely someone at Didcot Station could use it

Suggest we move a Police Person into Police House on London Road. Perhaps we could have a Policeman patrolling the village as we have some undesirable people in Blewbury. Also abandonned cars being set alight in residential areas, also youths participating in taking drugs, also hypodermic needles being found by children.

Notes by Richard Frame - Beat Police Officer

As a serving police office I could not agree more: Insufficient numbers, inadequate funding, prioritising resources and population served via ‘crime hotspots’ means literally nil cover for villages as no plan exists due to not registering on current force objectives.
I work a variation of shifts between the hours of 0800 and midnight, I can be contacted on either 515815 or 516819.

1. 1. No decision has been made about the Police House and Property Services appear to be “Dragging their Feet” on the issue. Suggest you write to your MP with your fears, for him to approach the Chief Constable on the issue.
2. Crime prevention is a matter for us all. Report everything, keep your eyes and ears open and don’t be afraid to ring.
3. The speed limit is enforced in Blewbury when we have time and the manpower. It has been found that many of those caught are “Locals” An approach could be made to Oxon CC Road Safety for the use of the mini “GATSO” equipment which I believe only needs two people to operate. I know, I’ve been one of them But I would still support stricter measures to reduce speeds (and I haven’t sped since.)

Police should also check what age are these people driving around the village in cars with no insurance EXAMPLE 14 15 16 YRS OLD

Traffic and Transport

Speed and Speed Control

Need to slow traffic down on London Road. Every day I pull out of my drive on a slight curve in the bend and take my life in my hands as traffic speeds through - I then get beeped, flashed etc.

Support measures to slow down traffic on Bessels Way and London Road

Ticked

We so need a speed limit 30 through London Road and Speed Bumps.

NO to speed bumps

Cannot Blewbury have speed cameras in London Road? There is precedence for it in Streatley and Lower Basildon.

Definitely no speed bumps - appalling noise and ultimately vibration damage to buildings. Far more imaginative efforts needed:-
a) 20 mph limit on internal streets
b) Larger signs at entry to village re children and elderly
c) Better community education on speeding on internal streets, especially by over stressed mums late for school and work.
The rumble and vibration to adjoining properties would be awful - (ask Oxford residents) also extra costs to motorists for frequent exhaust repairs.

Action needs to be taken about excessive speeds along Bessels Way in both directions.
Suggest:
“Pinch” in the road near entrance to Village
Possible speed cameras or one of these things than flashes at you to slow down.

Why does every other village near here have road markings, slow down signs, gates etc. etc. whilst there is nothing on Bessels Way coming from Didcot prior to the 30 mph sign at the allotments where the restrictions start?
Incidentally this would be far better starting at the stables.

I AGREE WITH THIS

Speed Limit of 30 mph should have been imposed on Bessels Way prior to reaching the kennels and riding school., when coming from the Didcot Direction

Agree
Agree

(Slow down signs) Good Idea

Ticked

Speed control measures on London Road and Bessels Way

Agree

A 20 mph limit within the village would help solve many of the concerns expressed. E.g. Berry Lane

Ticked
Ticked

20 mph appropriate?

20 miles per hour speed limit in circular road round the village.

4 mph !!!?

Gates at entrances to village as in Nuneham Courtney

Nuneham Courtney style gates at entrance to Village

Ticked

Traffic calming is also needed on streets within the village.

Why not have traffic calming - go and look at Sutton Courtenay for example or Long Wittenham

No

No speed bumps please

Roads

No wider roads in Westbrook Street - or anywhere else

Agreed!
Agreed

Too many corners with blind approaches.

Roundabout at top of Westbrook Street and/or the garage and BesselsLea Road

Ticked
Disagree
No
No

Why no pedestrian crossings with lights?

A crossing from Savages to recreation ground.

Ticked

Is a pelican crossing at all possible near savages? It would help reduce entry speeds to the village and provide much safer access to the recreation ground. I accept there could be some resistance in terms of light installation but feel the speed reduction benefits would make it worthwhile.

Parking

Parking in London Road to use the Post Box is dangerous and a pain

Cars at top of Westbrook Street

Parking at top of Westbrook Street - a few walkers + users of Ashbrook Mews mainly dangerous especially at school pick up/drop off times. What can we do?

Could we sign walkers to encourage them and others to park in Recreation Ground They might appreciate use of human facilities too and provide bins there? This would also help with the traffic parking issue.

Agree
Agree

No parking on any Footpaths. Footpaths should be for pedestrians only.

(Control on Street Parking)
We are not in suburban London. Who would police it! Not needed.

(Encourage users in village not to use cars to attend meetings at Hall)
AND SCHOOL

Excellent Idea

The school has a “Better Ways to School” initiative to seek to achieve this, but many families come from Didcot and therefore will drive.

(Parking for Church)
The new parking by the Benefice Centre has largely addressed this.

Village open gardens are a great scheme - Bravo
But traffic is gridlocking. Suggest we signpost to parking at Recreation ground and Tickers Folly field and provide park and ride minibus service.

I agree in theory about not parking on footpaths, but given the speeds along Bessels Way (See SID Figures), it feels positively dangerous not to park at least partly on the pavement, and could cause more accidents.

Volume of cars parked regularly in Church Road is a danger to all road users.

HEAR HEAR

Signs to public car parks needed (Tickers Folly and V Hall)

Agree

Some old bangers are parked for years in Besselslea road,
Soon to be hidden by brambles and ivy!!!

Reducing Traffic

School traffic is covered under the heading of Education.

Berry Lane, (Traffic calming, Footpath, One way system)

Berry Lane - dangerous for walking to and from school especially with very young children.

Anyone who has attempted to walk their children to school along Berry Way should (appreciate a) one way solution along this stretch. This would allow a pavement to be built which would make things much safer. As regards to speed, my own experience is that cars already drive far to fast along here, not really worrying whether they meet anyone coming in the opposite direction.
Have extra narrowing with one direction priority, along Berry Lane (Like in Long Wittenham).

Board Walk alongside ditch on Berry Lane to make footpath.

Agree

+ a fence top stop children falling off!

Agree

What about a board walk on Berry Lane - overlooking stream?
This would keep pedestrians off road without having to narrow it.

Berry lane needs a raised footpath at the manor side of the road “as in Long Wittenham”…

A footpath along Berry Lane would really help taking children to school especially those who have younger siblings in prams/push chairs

Barriers along Berry Lane need repairing

Suggest a one way system around BesselsLeas, Berry Lane, Westbrook Street. Paths could then be built. Berry Lane - as regards a one way system speeding up traffic, then a chicane affair would be done as on Ladygrove Estate in Didcot

NO to a one way system.

One way system would mean people would drive faster - disagree with this idea

Agree - we live in a village not a roundabout
Agree

Mirrors

Mirror needed at Priors Corner

Agree
Very Necessary
I agree too
Yup
agree
agree
I agree
agree
What about dazzle

Agree that a mirror at entrance to Village Hall corner of Westbrook Street would be helpful.

Could there be a mirror at the corner of Westbrook Street/Village Hall entrance.

Signs

Please no more SIGNS

Ticked
Ticked
Ticked
Ticked
and get rid of the many unnecessary ones currently in existence

Please remove these 30 mph signs - they are not effective and are unsightly.
And actually encourage people to think that 30 mph is appropriate for village streets.

Need to avoid too many signs in village.

Don’t let’s get carried away with signage etc. and urbanising the village.

Agree
Agreed

Footpaths and Cycle Tracks

Footpaths by Roads

Note that comments on Berry Lane are covered in the Berry Lane section above.

Put new steps between South Street and Dibleys Estate at Winding Way end (to replace those removed further up the road.)
Ticked

Dangerous Footpaths
- Opposite Blewbury Inn
- Westbrook Street
- Berry Lane
An accident waiting to happen for small children and buggies

Raise footpath opposite Blewbury Inn - where it gets flooded in winter.

Agree
Ticked
Ticked
Ticked

London Road at top of Westbrook Street - Flooded for weeks in winter, narrowed by grass growing over it.

Footpath from Westbrook Street to Village Hall v dangerous in dark (uneven)

Internal Footpaths and Barriers

The footpath between Bridus Mead and Bridus Lane needs

Desperately

a barrier to stop helmetless motorcycle riders et all using it as a short cut - A danger to pedestrians.

We cannot have our cake and eat it! If we want less cars on our roads and more cycles and pedestrians, the paths must be able to take both! Bad Motor Cycles should be reported and actively discouraged.

Do not remove Footpath Barriers. The results would be disastrous for Walkers! (from M/Cycles, Cycles)

The black and white barriers do a good job keeping motor-bikes, horses etc. off the footpaths.
I Agree

Can the Path barriers be altered to all the sale height and width to enable buggies through easier.

It is virtually impossible to get through the barriers with a double buggy even if they were altered.

Ticked
Ticked

??? is often too muddy to walk along. Especially difficult in the dark.

Ticked

Footpath behind Savages
All houses backing on to the path - owners are responsible for keeping this clear . ?Who enforces it.

Highways can do it and charge owner

Keep barriers where footpaths end at a road (and kids could charge out - as happened with fatal results 20 years ago.)

Gravel paths will always be difficult with push chairs. Path across Playclose could usefully be wider.

Cycling

Any cycle track should be protected against motor bikes

Cycle Path to Upton and then to Didcot would be so much safer than cycling on main roads.

Good idea to be able to push a pram to Upton to other churches, pub etc.

Cycle tracks with smooth surfaces an excellent idea.

No tarmac please it looks awful

AGREE

Cycle path around village with attention to child safety and use of

How about a cycle path to Didcot past the old sewage works

Ticked
Ticked
Ticked
Ticked
Ticked

Like these ideas - Cycle path to Didcot a great idea! A must and to Upton

Ticked

Unassigned

(Footpath Note 8 to be identified) Fence along here.

Environment

Can thought be give to the green spaces within the village which must be kept green. They should be identified before properties change hands and the new owners try to get planning permission otherwise there will be more instances of planning appeals being granted in spite of wishes of the villagers. Forewarned is forearmed!

Get Countryside Agency to increase support for the development of Areas of Natural Beauty, and ??? which could help facilitate funding to implement some of the ideas.

Blewbury is surrounded by intensive agriculture which limits the “green corridor” theory. With work with local farmers we could develop more interesting wildlife corridors and help re-instate some of the interesting chalk grassland.

Notice boards instead of fly posting a good idea.

I agree
Notice Boards already exist
Must avoid flyposting, especially on trees.

Can we keep grass shorter in play Close.
I want my son to play football but don’t like him crossing the road. He can’t currently do this in the Playclose.

(Open up the old Westbrook) Lovely idea. Actually the brook keeps trying to do this anyway.

Trees

Policy on trees is strange even from Council Tree Advisor

The treescape of our village is one of its glories. What about a tree society to support, care of existing public trees and hedges, replantings etc.

One of the benefits to our lovely footpaths are the trees, that shade in summer and protect from rain. Please - all those who come to this village and complain about trees - I ask - why come here in the first place?

Lights

Get people to adjust and reduce wattage of outside lights so that they do not dazzle passing pedestrians and cars.

Street lighting has, I believe, many opponents.

Street lights would be useful for people wanting to jog around the village before or after work.

Street Lamps everywhere

NO!! N0!!

No street lights please - we live in a village. people who want street lighting should live in towns.

One of the great attractions of Blewbury is the lack of street lights. Long may it last.

Hear Hear

Street lighting would help women walking on their own after dark feel more secure.

The dark can be illuminated with a good torch

Also private security lights need to be better ‘tuned’ to not come on unnecessarily.

Those needing street light - plenty in Didcot. Lets keep Blewbury and its environment free of all unnecessary lighting - one or two places already have very strong lights than need control.
Support dark skies project (CPRE)

Litter

Encourage people to keep their own front and or back gate free from litter by daily inspection.

Clear litter on local basis like neighbourhood watch

On litter I think Blewbury’s comparatively good but could always be better.

Litter is due to a mindset of laziness and lack of pride in their community. Excuse of lack of bins is inadequate as it can always be taken home! Bins could be emptied more regularly but more shows of the community disgust with litter despoilers could help. It is an unacceptable blight to us all.

Recreation Ground
Agree litter is a problem. We need some solution to collecting litter in this area.

We should bite the bullet and pay someone to keep it clean

Agreed
Agreed

Litter on the verges and in the hedgerows from the Recreation Ground up to Churn is very bad.

A Rubbish bin in Eastfields and Robinson Close

School has environmental policy and full education on litter, recycling, reuse etc.

Fouling and Pets

and dog mess on ???path/verge by stream

I think we need a dog warden. Dog fouling is a major problem in this village

Why not provide bins to help?

And a Dog Warden?

Who Pays!

People walking their dogs on Downs routinely let their dogs out to pooh on the path.

Shouldn’t all dogs be kept on leads in public places? Is this law?

I am fed up with ‘stray’ dogs frightening my children. It just takes one bite to scar a child for life and it does not matter how docile the owner says their dog is, it is an animal and subject to unreasonable behaviour e.g. if it was stung by a bee it could byte in reaction.

Lane above houses on London Road and pilgrims way - very bad fouling by dogs.
in village greatly improved.

Dogs fouling is of great concern to all age groups, as are those inconsiderate people who allow their dogs to run all over the place with no regard for young children or the elderly. This also includes those who allow their dogs to run all over other peoples property and kill their chickens

All dogs should be on leads

Agree!!

Stop Dogs fouling on Bridus Mead Green - Owners to Blame!!

Stop horse owners using Green as frequent fouling. No clear up by riders. Children use it as play area.

The majority of Village dog owners are responsible, caring owners. As usual, it is the mindless few who get the rest of us a bad name! Do not allow my dogs to run wild or where children play!

DOGS NOT ON LEADS ARE UNACCEPTABLE. They frighten children and adults (Not all) It is not the dogs fault!! It is the ‘owner’ who is at fault! Likewise the owner should clear up the dogs faeces!! Nosey Parker take note!!

Nosey Parker’s dogs are trouble.

I agree!
Me too
And me!
and me

Dogs should be kept on leads (not allowed to run in Playclose)

Agree

What about CATS?
We have an excess of them killing our native mammals and birds.

Ticked

A Village Design Statement for Blewbury

General

Excellent idea to have a statement to give guidelines.

Expand Conservation Zone on both sides of Westbrook St (i.e. include west side) to maintain Village Environment.

By report the Vale is not interested in Village Plans.
So we have to find a way of changing their mind - letters to councillors etc.

Overall Features

Don’t forget the original Village Plan, with the idea of green spaces within the village envelope, with controlled development in the centre, and the outer environs of the village.

View from Garage/Blewburton to Woodway
Wittenham Clumps important
Still worth preserving despite any ‘damage’ to date.

Protection outside Conservation Areas.
Lets make the edges better not go for the lowest common denominator - high design standards.

Type of Development

Can we encourage the building of modest family houses (3 beds) not affordable housing but such to encourage families - we need to influence the demographics of the village to sustain our school, playgroup etc. How else could this be achieved?

More Affordable Housing

Ticked
Ticked
Ticked

Building Design

Please can planning permission for house extensions include parking areas on site (not roads). Too many garages are being lost, and more chaos therefore on roads.

Who ever allowed the building of the enormous house on Bessels Way?
? Replacement of ?Studio Cottage?

Planning for houses !
How is it that some houses are passed that are ridiculously large and view blocking, and that others are refused that are apparently not as obtrusive as that.
I agree

Way to protect Blewbury from having “BLOTS” being built - especially on its outskirts that cause its unique views to be blocked. If they must - could they blend into the ‘shape of the landscape and of rural style’

Is there a means to limit the size of one for one replacements on outside edge of village? or everywhere?

Scale of new building on edge of village - single storey?

New Buildings (should be of) sustainable construction.

Final Comments

Thank you- A very positive effort very well presented.

Agreed.
Agreed