Several Villagers have mentioned the problems being caused by the removal of sugar beet from the fields along The Green. Your webmaster has writen to the Chairman of the Parish Council:
May I raise the following matter that affects me plus in my role as Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, this has been brought to my attention by several villagers.
William Ingate has leased some of his land to Silver Spoon for Sugar Beet production. The contractors employed to harvest the beet are causing the following problems:
The road at The Green is completely blocked by beet lorries being conveyor loaded with beet from the field; Vehicles are having to wait (personally I have had to wait over 15 minutes). At times two lorries are in position, making it impossible to get passed for a very long time. Additionally the road is filthy with mud and is a real danger for cars and two wheel transport. The road is not being cleaned at all.
I spoke to the contractors and their attitude was they have every right to block the road for as long as it takes!
Following a call from a resident I telephoned the Police who said that the road should not be blocked. They sent a response unit out and that policeman soon discovered that he couldn’t visit me because he was stuck behind 2 lorries! He spoke to the contractor’s management who promised to limit the number of vehicles at any one time to One with a breathing spaces between the next lorry arriving. They also promised to erect Mud On Road notices. The Police said that they would keep an eye on the situation.
I do know that one resident has twice spoken to Highways complaining about the states of the road but no action was taken.
I am not sure what can be done or whose responsibility this is, but it would be appreciated if the Parish Council could write to all parties concerned. I understand that the contract with Silver Spoon is for 2 years and hopefully it will not be renewed after next year.
Perhaps also, a Police representative could be encouraged to attend the next meeting, to have some input into this matter.
Kind regards,
David Mantell
Graham Downing, The Chairman, has promised to raise this at the next PC Meeting.