Harston Residents Group
Minutes of virtual meeting on 19th March 2024
Present. Joy Richardson. Brian Williamson, Dom Bellamy, Hilary Roadley, Fabio Puddu, Mavis and Terry Gardner, Jo Loveridge, Chinnu Alexander, Sheila Turnbull, Irene Richards, Jan Nanor
Traffic and transport
Not much new information.
Harston Parish Council has applied for 20mph speed limits on Church St, Station Rd, Lawrance Lea, The Paddocks, Button End and Haslingfield Rd near bridge.
At last meeting we discussed other traffic calming on Church St. HGV weight limit may be something to pursue later for Button End.
Village environment
Flooding
Flooding occurs at zebra crossings on High St during heavy rain. Flooding also at Button End. HR said sewage backs up at Lawrance Lea.
DB – Anglian Water has written to many councils about flooding due to high rainfall. No funding allocated to Harston at present. Maria King has looked at issue with HPC. Surface water goes into main sewage system so it all backs up in heavy rain. Pumping station has been upgraded.
Residents can report flooding issues on line at Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways service.
Water on village green seems to be due to the natural spring. The water fountain is turned off but water collects in the potholes on road beside it. The Green belongs to CCC not HPC.
Potholes
Some in Harston are deep. They are repaired but quickly break up again.
Residents are encouraged report potholes directly to Highways, emphasising the safety aspect. This can be done via link on HPC website. Or on CCC website.
Overhanging bushes on Church Street. And bench opposite Chapel Lane.
Highways are responsible for ensuring vegetation overhanging pavements is cut back. Residents can contact Highways directly.
CCC will also deal with the broken bench opposite Chapel Lane.
For potholes, flooding and overhanging vegetation go to cambridgeshire.gov.uk and click on Report and then Highways fault or pothole.
EWR
EWR says there will be a statutory consultation in the first half of this year.
EWR are writing to landowners who may be affected by the construction of the line.
EWR indicated there will be a pre-consultation with local bodies but not including the parish councils. This is undemocratic. DB has contacted A Browne for clarification.
BW said there are still residents who are unaware of the implications of EWR for Harston.
A display at April Betterbrew would be aimed at reaching more people to raise awareness.
Action. HRG Transport group to do display at next Betterbrew on 6th April.
TG asked about communication with other villages. At Shelford the 2 lines will become 4. There is an EWR group in Shelford. There has been some communication with Haslingfield and Hauxton. RPG has liaised with nearby village parish councils.
Greenways and footpath
GCP’s update had very little information about Melbourn Greenway. Nothing will be done about the Harston section till 2025. Kerry Allen will hold an online meeting via Teams nearer the time.
There is possibility of speed bumps and yellow lines where greenway meets Church St.
Communications
FP updates the Harston website when he’s informed of dates.
FP will post Minutes on website.
He also keeps the Whats On list updated.
Chinnu was asked about how to engage younger residents at our last meeting. She suggested via social media groups. We want to encourage more participation in events like Greener Harston (last Sat of month), litter picking (twice yearly), etc.
FP will post events online.
Neighbourhood Plan
Trying to finish gaps in NP by end of March, then it will go the consultant and then to
S Cambs to be printed. Harston residents will get a summary and a feedback form. Contact list of all agencies involved is being updated.
NP will be displayed at Annual Parish Meeting on 25th April and at Betterbrew on 4th May and 1st June. Also will be displayed in the school.
Volunteers needed for deliveries to households on 15-22nd April.
Report on strategic environmental assessment still ongoing.
NP will contain suggestions for developments in the village, residents will need to be informed beforehand.
There are 49 non-designated heritage assets that are important to village and letters will go out about them too.
NP contains guidance on a possible solution to the exit and parking on The Footpath on Church St
Community activities
Greener Harston Group cleared overgrown vegetation from near the bus stop and daffodils are now visible. They also cut back the bushes at the Haslingfield Road/Church St corner, which has greatly improved visibility.
Greener Harston meets on the last Saturday of the month. All welcome.
There is no meeting on Easter weekend.
Defibrillators
Sheila said there are 3 defibrillators in Harston. Training will be available in May. 20 places at first session. Posters will go up in the village. Afternoon tea and cake to be organised for fundraising for Air Ambulance which provides the free training. Dates will go out in newsletter towards end of April.
In Conversation event at the Parish Church
These events are very popular. On 27th March at 7.30, author Francis Spufford will talk on A life in Writing.
The Annual Parish Meeting is on 25th April at 7pm in Committee Room in Village Hall. HPC facilitates it. Dom wants to encourage people who would like to be involved in village activities. HPC would fund social aspect of the event. Suggestions for activities are invited.
Litter pick
CA will organise litter pick on 28th April at 2-4pm. BW will do the signs. Meet at the pavilion.
The ditches along the A10 and at Button End have a lot of rubbish in them. This should not be part of litter picking, SCDC is responsible for clearing them.
Action. BW will enquire about ditch clearance as he has contacted SCDC about the broken fence along the A10. HPC to be copied in.
July 13th at Parish Church is Family Fun Day. More information to follow.
Planning and developments
HPC was notified that owner of Byways on Station Rd has their lost appeal and must take down the extension that was built without planning permission.
AOB
None
Next meeting
16th April at 8pm on Zoom.
Jan Nanor