Rachel and Richard are pleased to see that the bollards at the top of Beacon Avenue into Chaucer Grove have been replaced, to try to stop the rat run. The bollards are stopping traffic from speeding, but it seems that cars and other vehicles are driving over the pavement to get round them.

Labour Candidate Rachel Lyons said, “Unfortunately people are still getting past the bollards via the pavement. We will continue to look at the situation to see if anything can be done.”

Road resurfacing work is continuing in Polsloe. Ladysmith Road is on the list to be resurfaced this year.

However some of our roads are in dire need of repairs which is why Richard is pressing for Bonnington Grove and Wyndham Avenue to be done as well.

Rachel Lyons said, “Some of our roads desperately need resurfacing. I will continue to raise the issue with Devon County Council.”

Richard is pleased to once again support the Memory Café at St James church,  a vital service for carers and dementia sufferers. Richard is happy to support the initiative by the Southern club and Age UK, to provide a luncheon club and meeting facilities for residents in the area.

At long last Polsloe Bridge station is being refurbished. Unfortunately there are no plans to make it more accessible to people with pushchairs or wheelchairs.

The Great Western franchise is now out for consultation. Rachel and Richard are pressing for a more frequent service on the Exmouth line and more carriages to stop the overcrowding problem.

We have had a number of phone calls relating to street lighting in the area.

Some lights are out and others in roads including East Avenue are on permanently.

Devon County Councillor Richard Westlake is concerned about the number of faults in street lighting in the area, and is asking for the assurance that this will be resolved.

Thank you to all the many residents who responded to the problem at Thurlow Rd. Rachel and Richard are to petition for better signage at the top of Monks Road, with clear no entry signs. They also want to see improved signs at the Pinhoe Road end of Thurlow Road, to prevent large lorries from trying to negotiate it. They will investigate whether sat-navs could be the reason for lorries trying to use it.

Graffiti has been cropping up much more frequently recently across Polsloe.

Rachel Lyons together with Newtown Councillor Richard Branston are monitoring the situation and reporting incidents to the Police and Community Patrols.

Following our last newsletter several residents have contacted Rachel Lyons to agree with her idea of getting rid of the pedestrian lights on Blackboy Road and incorporating the existing all red phase which is activated on Mount Pleasant Road, to the whole of the junction.

Richard Westlake has asked the County Highways Department for a safety review on the junction, with the view of implementing Rachel’s suggestion. The proposed housing development to the east of Exeter will potentially increase the volume of traffic through this junction and there is a real danger of more rat runs being created along both Monks and Wykes Roads which is totally unacceptable.

Councillors in Newtown and Polsloe have joined together to ask Stagecoach and the County Council to provide bus shelters by the Mount Pleasant Health Surgery and Pharmacy.  Residents in both Newtown and Polsloe wards who use this practice have called for better protection from the weather while waiting for a bus and also crossing facilities.

Both Councillors Richard Westlake and Richard Branston are also calling for a review of dropped kerbs within the area of the practice as some Polsloe/Newtown residents have difficulty with their wheelchairs where no drop kerb is provided.

Polsloe Candidate Rachel Lyons said, “There needs to be some protection from the weather for people using this bus stop. Also, Mount Pleasant Road can be a difficult road to cross, especially when the traffic is busy, so the introduction of drop kerbs and possibly
crossing facilities is something we have to look at.”

Traffic is still turning left at the top of Monks Road and travelling the wrong way in a one way system to Pinhoe Road.  Drivers are confused by the lack of adequate signage or deliberately ignoring the signs.  This practice is extremely dangerous with the risk of two cars meeting head on or a cyclist meeting a car.

Labour Candidate Rachel Lyons said, “Pedestrians in Pinhoe Road are particularly vulnerable to cars driving in the wrong direction.  Richard Westlake and myself will be pressing Devon County Council for better signage on Thurlow Road so that drivers avoid confusion.”

Many residents complain about seagulls damaging refuse bags, resulting in unsightly rubbish on the pavement.

Exeter City Council are now issuing seagull proof bags in Polsloe.

Rachel Lyons has one, and is pleased that at least her rubbish is contained until collection. If you would like one please contact her.

After investigation Rachel has established that Persimmon are no nearer to providing the contamination remediation certification that is needed to trigger transfer under the terms of the S106 original planning agreement. In view of the fact that this issue could continue to drag on, City Council officers are exploring the possibility of agreeing to the Council taking on the upkeep of the open space under ‘licence’ with Persimmon continuing to be responsible for the ownership, contamination and its remediation. However, this is a legally complicated proposition and it may be some weeks before  agreement with Persimmon can be reached.

“This situation has been rumbling on for a while now and the residents of Polsloe need clarification. The park is well used and loved by local residents and the sooner we get this sorted the better,” said Labour Candidate Rachel Lyons.

Rachel Lyons has asked Cllr Richard Westlake and he has agreed, to use some of his locality budget to purchase extra grit bins for Polsloe.

Rachel & Richard hope this decision will help keep Polsloe traffic and pedestrians moving in icy conditions.

The G bus which connects Hamlin Gardens with the Quay only runs during the day. During the day the G bus is well used and provides the Polsloe community with a vital link with the rest of the city. There is a possibility that Stagecoach could extend this service into the evenings if there is the demand.

Would you use this service to go down to the quay during the evenings? Would you like Rachel and Richard to campaign to try to get this service extended, please let us know.

There are still many incidents at these lights, and Rachel Lyons has suggested to Cllr Richard Westlake, that the pedestrian lights on Blackboy Road be removed and switches be put on the main lights so that everyone can cross safely at the existing all red phase of the lights, which occurs already after the green phase on Mount Pleasant Road.

What do you think? Let Richard or Rachel know your thoughts on this proposal.

A new system for applying for residential parking permits will come into affect on the 1st November.  You can apply on line at devon.gov.uk/parkingpermits or telephone 03451551073. If you experience any problems please contact Cllr Richard Westlake.