Lincolnshire readers’ views on our news for Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland
Readers have had plenty to say on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.
Don’t forget, you can always get in touch by emailing news@lincsonline.co.uk
Problems with road closure
I write with reference to the article published on October 8 about the closure of Brooke Road and its damaging impact on Mill Street trade. I would like to take issue with the spokesperson from Rutland County Council who attempted to make light of the closure.
Whilst the forty houses being built on the allotment site may be affordable, I do not see why the spokesperson should claim that Mill Street will benefit from the new residents who will shop there. Those businesses may well not exist by the time the houses are inhabited. The ongoing closure and the pre-Christmas sales period on which many businesses depend may hit these businesses so badly that they have to close.
Then there is the entirely illogical and totally nonsensical claim that the alternative routes on foot across the zig-zag bridge or main rail crossing are somehow ‘shorter’. This all depends, of course, on where you set off from. If you live near Brooke Hill Academy or any house on Trent Road, Tyne Road and the many other roads on that estate, and set off on foot for town, then the only short route is the one currently closed to pedestrians and one’s journey is doubled in distance and time if you take the alternative routes.
Rutland County Council attempts to blame the developer but the Local Planning Authority is entirely responsible for the closure of this road, having agreed to the TTRO being placed on it. They hold the power to grant such a thing. Rutland County Council has the power to challenge and test the work of a developer, something which has not happened in this case. It appears that Burmor Construction get away with whatever they want with no challenges or restrictions imposed by RCC.
To be told by the spokesperson that residents have been ‘informed as soon as possible‘ of the extended works is not helpful. Letters were put through our doors last week. As with the initial closure, residents were informed at the last possible moment but at no point were they ever consulted before action was taken. Shockingly, East Midlands Ambulance Services, the Police and Fire and Rescue were not informed either.
Finally, I take issue with the spokesperson’s claim that Burmor Construction, who have conceded to open the crossing to accommodate school children and their parents, starting from November 4, between 8am and 9am and between 3pm and 4pm, cannot ‘put this in place at all hours’. Why not? Since 22nd July, a series of men have been employed daily to stand idly by and move the odd cone to allow traffic access to the road. They would be gainfully employed were they to monitor access at all times. What about other members of the public? Why should they have to fall in with these restrictive times? RCC should have ensured that the developer allowed pedestrian access at all times. As with other road works, robust barriers could shield the public from any danger. The planning of the work has been chaotic, with recent work to the pavement on one side and to the verge on the other being carried out simultaneously. The pavement could have been worked on months ago leaving it free for pedestrian movement.
It would be very convenient for RCC and Burmor if the furore caused by this closure died down. This is not going to happen. Residents, rather than accepting what is happening are increasingly enraged by it. The problems which it has caused are significant and ongoing.
Today, for the second week running the developer did not, as agreed, put out the bins of residents for collection. Residents’ bins were not emptied. One ridiculous suggestion from a councillor was to put landfill and green waste in Burmor Construction’s skip. So much for health and safety which Burmor Construction is constantly bleating about! Free access to residents’ properties, which should be available at all times, has not always been available for important deliveries and these have been turned away. Brooke Road is in a very poor state with mud extending along Cricket Lawns and up to Mill Street. Why is this not being monitored and remedied by the highways department?
Ann Lewis
Brooke Road, Oakham
Putting Rutland first?
Residents of Oakham may have been surprised to receive a leaflet recently, that highlighted what the Conservatives have done for Rutland. The claims are interesting, but perhaps lack some context.
Regarding Flooding there is only a sad tale to tell. In 2011-12 and 2012-13, Government spending on flood defences was cut sharply and the latter cuts were subsequently extended by the then Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson.
In October 2015 the Conservative Government decided not to develop a comprehensive strategy to address increased flood risk, with piece-meal funding given to address issues, initially on the East Coast, and by 2022/23 the Environment Agency had its budget halved.
In 2021 the Conservative-led Rutland CC declared a “Climate Emergency”. At the same time these councillors accepted that the plan was aspirational, but not actionable.
In January 2024, following storms Babet and Henk, Alicia Kearns commits to developing a flood defence plan for Rutland.
In February 2024 the Conservative Govt refused to provide the Environment Agency with additional revenue funding for the necessary repairs to dykes and levies, in areas such as Lincolnshire. In March 2024 the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency requested that Ministers permit the reallocation of funds from the capital allocation to allow the necessary repairs to be carried out. This was also refused.
In July 2024 the new Labour Minister allowed the necessary reallocation of funds for the Environment Agency, 6 months after they had been requested.
Then there is the Damascene campaign for emergency response plans and flood wardens for our parishes. It has been known for years that we have a patchwork quilt of coverage.
And yet it is our Conservative MP and the former Conservative administration of our local council who are now the champions of flood defences in Rutland!
Finally, we come to ‘Standing Up for Rutland’ a worthy cause. Again, context assists understanding. We know that the economy of Rutland has shrunk by 28% in the 10 years to 2022, and we also know that wages in employment in Rutland are the lowest in the East Midlands. Regarding affordable housing, it is a matter of record that we have never delivered the promised number of homes in our many housing developments, thanks to the blandishments of developers. Since our election we have supported a policy of brownfield development based upon St George’s Barracks and Woolfox, as the only sites offering the possibility of affordable housing at scale, appropriate infrastructure and employment, as necessary developments to kick-start our economy.
Labour has had fewer than a dozen Councillors in Rutland since 1918.
Coun Steve McRobb and Ramsay Ross
(Lab - Oakham North West - Rutland County Council)
Reliable service
I wonder how many Stamford residents are aware of the Rutland County Council R9 bus service from Stamford Bus Station to Oakham which offers eight departures a day, Monday/Friday, is quick, reliable and amazingly totally free of charge?!
Duncan Lingard
Princes Road, Stamford
Award is deserved
The Stamford Civic Society is delighted that Peter Stevens has been recognised by the Stamford Town Council for the work he has done over the years to improve our town, including the Sundial Project, clearing up graffiti, restoring St Leonard's Priory and installing a blue plaque for the antiquary William Stukeley, amongst other things.
Many of the projects he instigated continue to this day through the work done by the Stamford Civic Society as well as other projects and initiatives to improve and preserve our urban environment. Peter was an active and long serving committee member of the society until he stood down in 2016.
It is fantastic that Peter has received a certificate from the council and the committee of the Civic Society would like to add its thanks to his achievements as well as to all the other volunteers who helped make the projects a reality. See www.stamfordcivicsociety.org.uk if you want to know more or get involved.
Ursula Jones
Chair, Stamford Civic Society
Sheep fair was great event
Once again the country’s oldest sheep fair returned to Corby Glen. Well done. Seeing the photographs of the host of attractions in the Mercury and people enjoying the weekend was great. I was disappointed not seeing any photographs of any sheep in the Mercury. Where was your photographer on that day? After all Corby Glen was celebrating farming and community spirit - may it continue. I was brought up living and working on a farm with all animals.
Ruth Maltby
Stroud Close, Bourne
Editor’s note: The Mercury photographer is very busy and was unfortunately tied up at another event during the sheep auction itself. We always welcome submitted photos though to: smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
I’m looking for lovely lady
Do you know a remarkable lady from the Stamford area who has walked the south-west coast path in one visit, has a father of 88 (my generation, I’m 85) and now has a lovely young black Labrador bitch possibly called Molly or Millie?
She is also keenly interested in fitness and nutrition and has recently moved from a vegan diet to being vegetarian. My name is Roger, 85, and I would love to continue our conversation on all of the above. It started when we met on a walk around the Hambleton peninsula, Rutland Water on Monday, August 5. Our conversation was so enjoyable and free-ranging and covered so many subjects. From the first minute we were just on the same page - a wonderful feeling.
I had a lunch booked for 12pm that day so we parted in opposite directions and then she called back ‘I hope we meet again’. When that had sunk in I was kicking myself for not giving the lady my contact details. The card was in my pocket! So now, nine weeks later I’m still kicking myself and have decided that at 85 I can’t just leave it to chance I must be proactive hence producing this appeal.
Looking back on that day our conversation felt significant and it took me two whole days to understand why. My wife passed away in March this year after 62 wonderful years together and we have always been good at keeping in touch with all the friends we have made over our time together and even before that. I will be sending over 120 Christmas cards this year but of course that means that those friends are also in their 80s now and when we meet the conversation inevitably revolves around various illnesses, doctors’ appointments, hospitals, operations etc and I’ve realised it’s beginning to get to me. It’s quite depressing. So that is why our conversation on the Hambleton peninsula was so significant. It was positive, uplifting and fabulous.
If you can help me to find this lovely lady again to continue our conversation you will make an old man very happy.
Please reply on 01858 469343.
Roger Broadley
East Farndon, Market Harborough
Production was delightful
It is now 100 years since Sir Malcolm Sargent conducted the local production of Ruddigore and on Friday last week I went to see the production by Gilbert and Sullivan. How delighted I was to see how many young people were taking part despite there being so many other attractions for them.
Set in Cornwall, the plot involves two brothers, the elder of which leaves to overcome a witch's curse. He meets a girl he is eventually to marry and the brother takes over. The ancestors are annoyed and come down to say so but in true Gilbert and Sullivan fashion, all is eventually sorted.
Matthew and Zack Clayton admirably perform as the two brothers and Julia Salmon the bride, all beautifully attired as were the professional bridesmaids, villagers and ancestors.
The show was directed by Ruth Palmer but I am sure Margaret Wainwright who played Dame Hannah had given valuable help in training the young people. The chorus work was lovely under the direction of Gavin Ashley-Cooper. Dave Turner, a harmonica player from the 80s, played for a hornpipe interlude.
The show was very well attended and if like me, it was very much enjoyed. It shows that Stamford can leave the television for one evening.
Sheila Blankley
Arran Road, Stamford
Rally attracted huge support
The National Pensioner’s Convention Lobby of Parliament and rally protesting over cuts to the universal Winter Fuel Payment attracted huge support from MP’s, charities, campaign organisations, trade unions, and crucially ordinary people of all ages
.Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC thanked everyone who supported the day which went really well, with around 350 at the rally alongside Unite outside Parliament, and more than 100 in the House of Commons committee room for the Lobby of MPs.
Jan said: “We heard great crucial evidence as to why these government - imposed cuts are wrong and must be reversed. There is no doubt they will cause untold hardship, illness, and indeed loss of life if they are allowed to go ahead.
“But we are heartened by the amazing support for our campaign against the government’s decision. We have a few weeks until the Chancellor’s Budget on the 30th October, and we are going to make that time count by continuing to urge her to reverse this cruel decision.“
It is not the end- it’s the beginning.”The NPC would like to thank all the MP’s who attended and spoke at the Lobby in support of our campaign. The Lobby was Chaired by NPC President Norman Jemison.
There were also protests in Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland led by the Scottish Pensioner’s Forum, as well as right across the UK.
We would encourage you to keep engaging with your MP, by writing to them, attending local surgeries, and speaking to them about the Winter Fuel Payment cut to keep the pressure up in the build up to the Budget.
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
Lessons to be learned
I was very involved in the discussions with South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council when the Stamford Resident Parking scheme was agreed and introduced.
As your LincsOnline article said, there have been few complaints since its introduction, but think that Spalding can benefit from some of the learnings we had in Stamford.
Key to getting the scheme in is understanding that it is a compromise - there are no reserved spaces for residents, it just removes the 2 or 1 hour restriction for residents.
This will be seen as a benefit by people who cannot park near their own house, but a disadvantage by people who just see it as now having to pay where they had no problem parking for free.Second, there will be a defined area for resident parking.
Anyone living outside this is hard to engage as they think that they are not affected. They are because of ‘displacement parking’ which are the cars who now have to find somewhere where they can still park without paying.
Third, getting a group of residents who can gather opinion and present a coherent voice for Spalding makes it easier for the council to have discussions - the alternative is a myriad of different voices with no coherent message, which makes it easy for the council to ignore (or hard for them to form a view of what is being said).
Finally, understand that the majority of residents tend to only care about whether they can park their car outside their house. What happens elsewhere they have little interest in. They also tend to assume, or want, dedicated resident parking places, which are not being considered by the council.
Steve Marsh
Broad Street, Stamford
If you’ve got a view on a topic to share, email your letter to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
