Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 14 March 2017.

Planning Applications
Several applications since the last Parish Council meeting have been received.  Of note an extension to quarry activities at Copyhold Farm Quarry and equestrian facilities on land south of Randall’s Farm.     

Curridge Playground Project
The project works continue and the Curridge Playground Trustees have had a footpath repaired, new fencing erected and maintenance works agreed and scheduled for spring 2017. 

Chieveley Parish Annual Assembly
The Parish Assembly this year is on Tuesday 11 April 2017 at Chieveley Village Hall & Recreational Centre. Starts at 8pm.  Residents of Chieveley, Curridge and Oare are invited to the event to support local speakers and community group displays. Refreshments will be served during the evening. The programme for the evening will be available at the end of March on village noticeboards and village websites, www.mychieveley.co.uk and www.curridgevillage.co.uk

Boundary Commission Electoral Review.
The Boundary Commission has opened its consultation inviting proposals for a new pattern of electoral wards for West Berkshire Council. The Commission is minded to recommend to reduce the 52 Ward Councillors to 42 Ward Councillors for West Berkshire Council in future. The Commission invites proposals from West Berkshire Council, Parish Council, interested parties and members of the public on a pattern of electoral wards to accommodate those councillors. The consultation ends 3 April 2017.  View interactive maps of the council, draw your own boundaries and have your say at their specialist consultation portal at:   Boundary Commission Electoral Review

Annual Internal Audit
The Parish Council have received a good internal audit report for 2016 2017. A copy of the report is available at www.mychieveley.co.uk/parishcouncil.

Curridge Road between Carbrook and Oaklands
West Berkshire Council Senior Technician has inspected the site and reported that while minimum verge overrun is evident, verge overrun is unfortunately but quite common on rural roads such as this especially where vehicles pass each other.  This road is wider than most, good visibility and the height difference between road and field minimal. In West Berkshire Council’s opinion, no engineering measures are currently required.

FAQ…of the month
I have a Council Tax Query, who should I contact?
Council Tax Section, West Berkshire Council Tel: 01635 519520
Email: [email protected]

Spotlight…on Road Maintenance
West Berkshire Council is responsible for maintaining all the adopted roads and footways in the district, except for the M4 Motorway and A34 trunk road Newbury by-pass.  If you would like to report a defect on the adopted roads and footways (such as potholes, damaged signs, fallen trees, flooding, blocked drains) you can do so online via Report a Problem on the West Berkshire web site Report a Problem. The method of reporting a problem, e.g. a pothole, has been improved to allow the user to identify the location (of the pothole) on a map, and to comment on the defect, e.g. size and depth of the pothole.

Next Meeting... Date of the next meeting 
Next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 11 April 2017 at Chieveley Village Hall & Recreational Centre, High Street, Chieveley, Berkshire RG20 at 7pm followed by the Parish Assembly at 8pm.

Further to my last email, I am writing to provide an update to the programme and additional traffic management information for the bridge refurbishment works taking place along the M4 near Bradfield.
 
As previously advised, long-term monitoring has found that the two bridges which carry the M4 over Ashampstead Road and Dark Lane, near Bradfield in West Berkshire, require extensive repair due to chloride-induced corrosion.  Critical repairs are required to address the defects and ensure the structures remain in a safe and serviceable condition.
 
CLOSURE OF DARK LANE AND ASHAMPSTEAD ROAD (WEST BERKSHIRE)
The local authority roads which run beneath the M4 must be closed for safety reasons due to the restricted height available and due to the activities involved.
 
·         Closure of Dark Lane (beneath the M4) – from Monday 6 March through to Thursday 4 May 2017
·         Closure of Ashampstead Road (beneath the M4) – from Monday 13 March through to Friday 26 May 2017
 
During the closures a clearly signed diversion will be in place via Bradfield, Chalk Pit Farm Road, A340 Pangbourne Road, Tidmarsh Lane, Gardeners Lane and Buckhold Hill, which has been approved by West Berkshire Council.
 
WEEKEND CLOSURES
The programme of weekend closures of the M4 has been revised to not only avoid bank holidays but also the school Easter half term holiday, where traffic flows may increase along the M4.  The closures are now currently scheduled to take place from 9pm Friday through to 6am on Monday on the following weekends:
 
·         Friday 31 March to Monday 3 April 2017
·         Friday 5 May to Monday 8 May 2017
·         Friday 12 May to Monday 15 May 2017
·         Friday 19 May to Monday 22 May 2017 (contingency weekend only)
 
During these closures a clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A4 (through Newbury, Thatcham and Woolhampton).
 
Confirmed dates for these closures will be displayed in advance on signs along the M4.
 
On selected weekends in July, there will also be restricted lanes open, from 9pm Friday to 6am Monday, on the following weekends:
 
·         Friday 7 July to Monday 10 July 2017 (Westbound only)
·         Friday 28 July to Monday 31 July 2017 (Eastbound only)
 
Significant delays are expected during these weekend closure periods, and it is advised that you plan ahead of your journey to allow for extra time or avoid this route where possible.
 
If you have any questions or if you’d like you know about the work please log your enquiry through Highways England’s customer control centre:
 
·         Phone: 0300 123 5000
·         Email: [email protected]
·         Post: Highways England, Bridge House, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4LZ