Need for Road Safety at Potter Street

I was recently contacted by Michelle Porter and Claire Kimble, two Potter Street parents who have started an important Facebook group on Road safety. They and many other residents are concerned about the ever increasing traffic on Potter Street - particularly since the road works on the A414. They are right to be worried. Traffic in Potter Street is getting worse and worse, presenting real safety issues to the public - particularly given the nearby location of Potter Street School and the shops at Prentice Place. The Lollipop Lady, Ms. Chivrall (who has done her job for an amazing eighteen years), has observed the increased traffic on a daily basis and has expressed her worries to the relevant authorities.

Clearly something must be done - as Potter Street (heaven forbid), is an accident waiting to happen. I have already contacted Essex Council on the residents behalf, and District Councillor Clive Souter has also been on the case with the Highway authorities. Cllr. Eddie Johnson has also been working to ensure that road safety signs are put up in the right places.

I pay tribute to Michelle and Claire for highlighting this issue, and more importantly starting an effective campaign on Facebook. In only a few days, their site has almost 200 members. They both deeply care about their neighbourhood. Potter Street is lucky to have such residents.

P.S. You can join their Facebook campaign: "Protecting our Children ( and lollypop lady) on Potter Street's main road", HERE.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Fidgety Fingers say no to speeding

At the end of last year, with the help of some local residents, I organised a Public Meeting in Hastingwood Village Hall to to discuss speeding on Hastingwood Road. Over 100 people attended and, the anguish and anger from so many residents, about speeding cars,was palpable for all to see. I have since been making the case to Essex County Council and have been promised by Transport Cabinet Member, Cllr. Norman Hume, that a survey will be done and E.C.C. will seriously look at the situation.

This is a good starting point, but the campaign from Hastingwood villagers does not let up. Today I went to see a Fidgety Fingers, a successful nursery pre-school at Willow Place. This nursery has been started by Jackie Neagle who against the odds and through appeals against initial planning decisions, has established a nursery school that is loved by parents and children alike. Unsurprisingly, the speeding cars and lorries, severely impacts on the nursery, as parents fear not only turning out of the pre-school on the main road, but there is also significant danger from automobiles if the children are taken across the road to visit the farm opposite.

I will continue working with the residents on this campaign. It does seem incredible that Hastingwood Road does not have a lower speed limit. This beautiful village is being wrecked by lorries and cars, who sadly treat Hastingwood Road as a practice run for Formula One.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com