Archived Topic
Topic ID 863
03/08/2005 by nora batty
Power to the People! (Do they mean us?)
I have just received a hand delivered letter from Hertfordshire Highways entitled "Bengeo Traffic Problems" informing me that Herts Highways plans "to work closely with local councillors and other community representatives in order to achieve a workable solution to this longstanding problem. It is clear from comments posted on local websites..."
It then goes on to explain that they welcome the possible formation of a residents association. Reading between the lines, they are fed up with individual whinging and would prefer collective whinging as it uses up less of their staff time.
See http://www.hertford.net/yoursay1/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=805&whichpage=3
P.S They couldn't resist a little dig. Quote "...allow us to provide accurate data on levels of rat-running, rather than anecdotal accounts."
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 9476
03/08/2005 by sloopjohnb
Norah, call yourself Chairman and turn up at the next Hertford Transport Forum. Its about the only way you get inside the minds of Highways and get a chance to air your views within a mixed group who have all been there before. Next one September 8, 2.00pm at County Hall. They are not too keen on vigilante groups turning up but represtantives usually OK and i believe Bengeo is back on the agenda.
If you want any more info email me and if necessary i will speak to Highways about inviting you offically.
Reply ID 9478
03/08/2005 by nora batty
I'm not directly involved with this particular organisation, so I wouldn't be able to do that. I suppose I could be the
Self-Proclaimed Chairperson of the Discover Hertford Online Forum Topic Bengeo Rat-Run Whingers Association!!!
Reply ID 9491
03/08/2005 by Joby
quote:
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
Norah, call yourself Chairman and turn up at the next Hertford Transport Forum. Its about the only way you get inside the minds of Highways and get a chance to air your views within a mixed group who have all been there before. Next one September 8, 2.00pm at County Hall. They are not too keen on vigilante groups turning up but represtantives usually OK and i believe Bengeo is back on the agenda.
Unfortunate timing for the Hertford Transport Forum meeting - the first LBRA meeting takes place a couple of days afterwards on the 13th, could have done with being before I guess.
Reply ID 9492
03/08/2005 by 2929paul
quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
I'm not directly involved with this particular organisation, so I wouldn't be able to do that. I suppose I could be the
Self-Proclaimed Chairperson of the Discover Hertford Online Forum Topic Bengeo Rat-Run Whingers Association!!!
You've got my vote.
Now go and represent us and tell them to police the rat-run properly! Or I'll jump out from under my bridge and smash their cars to pieces.
Reply ID 9494
03/08/2005 by sloopjohnb
Joby, what I said to Norah equally applies. Used to be in the evenings but time changed to accomadate the other half of Highways (that bit responsible for lighting etc). If one or two reps could attend you might have something to take back to the first LBRA meeting. Please get in touch if i can help.
Reply ID 9497
03/08/2005 by nora batty
quote:
Originally posted by 2929paul
You've got my vote. Now go and represent us and tell them to police the rat-run properly! Or I'll jump out from under my bridge and smash their cars to pieces.
But that would blow my cover! Besides, I'm really very shy, so I'd be rubbish. They'd say "Go away, you irritating woman" and I'd say
"ok". Reply ID 9504
04/08/2005 by 2929paul
Having read the letter, it seems that we are actually low priority and are to blame for taking up their time. 4th Paragraph:
"Over the last few weeks we have received a number of individual communications from Bengeo representatives requiring a personal reply. While we recognise there are many who wish to express their concerns, this takes valuable officer time away from mainstream planning activities..."
I read this as "Stop bothering us, we've got more important things to do." The reason the residents write to the people they elect to serve us is because the council have had years to sort out the problems but have done nothing tangible to work out a solution. Everyone who asks for a reply deserves one, not an excuse and to be told that the communications are distracting Ms Heleen Schmidt from her important job.
I hope that this letter is not just a case of lip service yet again.
Reply ID 9505
04/08/2005 by nora batty
quote:
Originally posted by 2929paul
Having read the letter, it seems that we are actually low priority and are to blame for taking up their time. 4th Paragraph:
"Over the last few weeks we have received a number of individual communications from Bengeo representatives requiring a personal reply. While we recognise there are many who wish to express their concerns, this takes valuable officer time away from mainstream planning activities..."
I read this as "Stop bothering us, we've got more important things to do." The reason the residents write to the people they elect to serve us is because the council have had years to sort out the problems but have done nothing tangible to work out a solution. Everyone who asks for a reply deserves one, not an excuse and to be told that the communications are distracting Ms Heleen Schmidt from her important job.
I hope that this letter is not just a case of lip service yet again.
Ms Heleen Schmidt is blaming us for her overflowing in-tray? Is that what they mean by the constant cycle of blame? Perhaps every single one of us should write a letter then, before we have to do it collectively!
Reply ID 9508
04/08/2005 by jez_p
I still think that the "Bengeo Wall" is the only practical solution.
Would keep out everything: chavs, rat runners, residents etc. etc.
Reply ID 9511
04/08/2005 by nora batty
And pedants?
Reply ID 9512
04/08/2005 by jez_p
quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
And pedants?
Couldn't they fly over the wall?[;)]
Reply ID 9514
04/08/2005 by nora batty
quote:
Originally posted by jez_p
quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
And pedants?
Couldn't they fly over the wall?[;)]
Only the revaulting ones!!!
Reply ID 9524
05/08/2005 by nora batty
Today's Mercury (page 2) reports on the issues we have been discussing here at the Forum (Lower Bengeo Residents Association, Bengeo Rat-run, letter from HCC to residents). The report says:
Ms Schmidt referred to "understandable, but totally incorrect" comments posted by residents on community websites which implied the council had ignored the problem.
Does she mean us?
Reply ID 9526
05/08/2005 by Bart
Probably, and the rat-run website that was set up a while ago.
Reply ID 9534
05/08/2005 by Joby
quote:
Originally posted by nora batty
Ms Schmidt referred to "understandable, but totally incorrect" comments posted by residents on community websites which implied the council had ignored the problem.
I agree that they haven't completely ignored it, although I'm sure that without residents' pressure they would have done. What they have done is consistently and repeatedly failed to do a single thing to solve it. Surely Ms Schmidt can't try and deny that charge.
I know this may ring hollow for those of us who've been through surveys and consultations before but at least they're making the right noises. The residents' association can only help to ensure that this remains on the agenda.
15 replies