In all probability by the time this issue of the newsletter is circulated the crossing on the High Street that isn't, will be: nevertheless I will tell you that work to make the crossing operational is scheduled to commence on Tuesday 17 June and hopefully will be complete by the end of the week. Many people have complained to the Association that in its present state the crossing is unsafe, neither pedestrians or motorists are certain who has the right of way and with this view one can sympathise, so we spoke to the District Council asking if access to the crossing could be denied. At first they were reluctant to accede to our request believing that in closing the crossing and forcing people to walk around the railings to cross the road would present a greater hazard, but they eventually agreed. Needless to say the experiment was a failure, the tapes stretched across the openings to prevent access to the crossing were soon cut down, not necessarily by vandals but in some instances by adults who were seen to cut the tapes with a knife. They were replaced two or three times by the Council but each time they were removed and the crossing is once again in use in spite of the sign which states " this crossing is not in use" and should there be an accident the District Council will, in all probability, be blamed.
In fact who would be to blame? The District Council is responsible for the civil work, preparing the road and pavements and installing the ducts for the electric cable, whilst the County Council is responsible for installing the lights which control the crossing. Of course the two authorities work together to ensure continuity of work but in this instance there has been a hitch (the best laid plans of mice and men do oft- times go awry) which has caused the delay between completion of the civil works and the commencement of the electrical work. So there it is, a recipe for a disaster, an advertisement for Unitary Authorities or a lesson to the Association - you can't please all the people (members?) all the time.
The people of Fishers in Indiana are still interested in twinning with Billericay and we are in frequent contact with their Town Twinning Committee both by telephone and by e-mail, however we could do with a little help to form our Town Twinning Committee and progress to a formal twinning arrangement at sometime in the future. My wife and I are visiting Fishers on 19 June and on our return hope to provide a display in the Library so that residents of Billericay can see photographs of and learn more about the town of Fishers and its people.
Twinning is a widely recognised means of forming a bond between two towns with the objective of promoting cultural, educational, trade and social exchanges for mutual benefit. Additionally it presents an opportunity to encourage tourism - an obvious link between Billericay and the States to satisfy a desire amongst Americans to trace their English ancestors. We are currently looking for pen-pals for two young American girls, about 14/15 years old, and if anyone is interested perhaps they would contact the Editor on 01277 623519.
The Residents' Association supports Planning Application Bas/0450/97, the Waitrose Store, and Planning Application Bas/0452/97, for an additional 100 car parking spaces behind Woolworths. I expected a more detailed site plan to be provided by Kiafield Properties in time for this issue of the newsletter but unfortunately it has not materialised.
However our acceptance of the application is not unconditional there are several suggestion we would like to be considered. For instance the public car park would be replaced by one owned by Waitrose who would no doubt make a charge for parking we would like this charge to be refunded by Waitrose to those people who shopped at the store, or if not the parking charge should be no more than at present. The existing public toilets will be demolished and it is suggested that the public should use toilets located in the store, which has its advantages in that they will be open until late at night, 8.00pm/9.00pm, and they should be clean and free from damage caused by vandals. However they should be sufficient in number and as accessible as the existing facilities, there should also be a sign outside the store advertising the fact that there are free conveniences for use by the public inside. Similarly access for the disabled and elderly should be easily available.
Then of course there is the Post Office which will be demolished and it is important that it remains easily accessible on the High Street, either in the new store or in adjacent premises such as Second to None. In addition the access to the car park through The Walk must be maintained and the facilities which are already available to the traders in The Walk, such as car parking spaces and the collection of cardboard, paper and bottles must be retained. Last but by no means least consideration must be given to the management of existing and additional traffic generated by the new store, the developer has yet to put a figure on the number of traffic movements which can clearly be identified with the Waitrose store. The thought of 40 ton articulated trucks driving down the High Street from the direction of Chelmsford making a sharp left turn into Alma Link, just about where the new crossing is situated, is somewhat off putting. The alternative of gaining access via Chapel Street from Sun Corner is more appealing but will no doubt mean the introduction of no waiting areas at the southern end of Chapel Street which will limit disabled parking, or any other parking for that matter, outside Rose Hall. Of course the obvious solution would be to limit the hours when deliveries could be made so that interference with other traffic would be minimal. No doubt much discussion will take place before planning permission is granted.
St Mary Magdalene Church at Great Burstead is one of the oldest churches in Essex, it has an interesting history with links to the Peasants Revolt and of course with The Mayflower. You have possibly seen the wonderful mediaeval wall paintings uncovered a few years ago. For many years it served as the parish church for Billericay and to this day it has the main cemetery for the town.
Many people both attend and visit the church and it needs an extension to give more room to be able to better serve the community, including toilet facilities.
We have a £10,000 shortfall in the cost of the building this extension which of course needs to blend in with both the church and its surroundings. Can you help with a financial donation, buy a brick for £5 or a tile for £1? Maybe you could donate a raffle prize for one of the many events planned during the year to raise the money. Would you be prepared to help with the fund raising?
Any donations should be made payable to Gt Burstead P.C.C. and sent to Steve Hills, 17 Mercer Road, Billericay , Telephone 631287. If you can help us in some other way please give Lilian Greenfield a ring on 01277 623582.
Do you have clothes in your wardrobe you have hardly worn? Do you fancy a new outfit but can't justify the expense? Come along to Patricia's Dress Agency, we will sell your unwanted nearly-new clothes and give you two thirds of the selling price. On the other hand you may be able to buy just what you were looking for for less than half the price in the shops. Come along with a friend and enjoy a coffee and a browse through our stock. We are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Phone Patricia for an appointment on 01277 625448.
Editor - Trevor Stansfield, 174 Perry Sreet, Billericay, Essex CM12 0NX. Tel: 623519 E-mail:tremar@aol.com
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