Dear resident,

 

As your newly elected Central Bedfordshire Councillor, I write to confirm that after the last Parish Council meeting, which I attended, I requested the next day that the drafting of a proposal for a new foot and cycle path, accessed from Old Linslade Road and running parallel with that road through the allotments to Rushmere, be stopped.

 

I then convened a meeting of the key Central Beds Council officers which was held today, 19 September 2011.  I conveyed my strong opposition, on behalf of the parish council and residents, that this particular proposal would adversely affect parking issues along Old Linslade Road, The Stile and Abbey Walk.  I requested as your ward Councillor that this particular proposal not be progressed, and this was confirmed by the Council officers.

 

There is of course a wider piece of work that needs to be done to improve the pedestrian and cycle access from all communities surrounding Rushmere Park, and in fact from within Heath and Reach itself, but not at the expense of visitors adversely affecting the lives, and parking issues, of Heath and Reach residents.  I would welcome an improvement in the foot and cycle path access from our village into Rushmere and have asked that other options be explored.  These will be brought back to me next year, which I will in turn share with the parish council and residents.

 Cllr Mark Versallion