Ward Commmitte budget Westfield Central 2012. Click to enlarge
A programme of improvements to car parking facilities in the Cornlands Road and Kingsway parts of the Westfield ward has ended with Labour Councillors recommending that no Ward Committee funding be allocated to the project during 2012.
During the last 15 years, the programme had gradually improved parking arrangements in relatively narrow streets like St Stephens Road, Tennent Road and Windsor Garth.
Some funding was spent on providing lay bys while dropped kerb/verge cross overs were funded where a parking space could be fitted into a garden.
A major series of improvements on Cornlands Road was completed in 2006 prior to the introduction of parking restrictions aimed at improving bus service reliability.
The Council tenants improvement budget also funded some parking areas in front of blocks of flats in streets such as Thoresby Road. While this programme may continue, the delays in providing the parking area on St Stephens Square indicate that such improvements may now have a low priority.
The Ward Committee budget, now published on the Councils web site, shows ZERO expenditure is planned in the central Westfield area. This is a big let down for a community of over 4000 residents. Those on the waiting list for dropped kerbs are likely to be particularly disappointed.
Overall the Westfield Ward Committee budget is being reduced from about £50,000 to only £5,670. The Council have also failed to publish the ballot results from last autumn when residents were asked to indicate their priorities.
In the Foxwood area, Labours plan to spend £750 funding new pantomime costumes for a theatre group has been slated by several residents.