Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[robcrack]

Anyone else have problems getting prams/ wheelchairs onto the West Common via Mitchell Drive. Only this morning I saw a couple pushing a pram on the common having to lift it over the 'kissing gate' to get off. I have to do the same every day when taking my 7 mth old for a stroll. ( he doesn't get lighter either )
Seems ridiculous to make all pram pushers either lift them over or walk along L/L Road to Travis corner. I have contacted Helen Heath in an attempt to get the council to make minor adjustment to the gate to allow access for ALL via Mitchell Drive.
The excuse 'it's designed so horses can't get out' won't wash as there are 4 other entrances to the common with swing gates for access.
I simply hate walking along L/L Road pushing a pram. I know all too well the statistics relating to speeding motorists and am sure that there will be a serious collision there soon.
If anyone else feels it would be a good idea to make the common more user friendly via Mitchell Drive then please contact Helen Heath who will put forward your suggestions.

[iggy]

good idea rob can we also make sure we have some form of barrier at top and bottom of the steps to stop kids riding very fast down the steps
back to the common are the golf club going to put back the common to its original condition

[john shipton]

The good news Rob and Ian concerning the access point to the West Common from Mitchell Drive.
Councillor Helen Heath has said to me that the issue is going to be put on the agenda for the next Commons Advisory Committee meeting at City Hall on 1st September.
The agenda is being sent to me a week before the meeting takes place.
Hopefully this will be resolved.
The bad news is that the Conservative ruling group who control Lincoln City Council, are cutting budgets again. Very little is being spent on our 3 Lincoln commons. Nothing is being spent on The Grandstand despite it being the last of its kind in the UK, built in 1879, has a preservation order on it, and also being used for community use.
It depends if the council has any money to spend improving the access point to the common.
Regarding the Carholme Golf Club vacating the three holes on the north side of the West Common, the conditions of doing so is to return the land back as it was before the holes/fairways were given approval. It was found out too that City Council were responsible for altering the drainage they did for these fairways, hence to flooding and the excess water remaining there. It will be interesting what the council will do about the drainage problem they have created - again, no money available.

[deb]

Karen Lee dealt with a request for wheelchair friendly access from Mitchell Drive some time ago and it came to nothing. The down side is that if the access is made pram/bike/wheelchair friendly there may then follow requests that 'hey you've given us access to the Common but it's too muddy to get pram etc wheels through, we need hard surface'. Will providing more than foot access require the council to follow through....? I have asked Karten what happened with the request and will let you know.

[john shipton]

I contacted Dave Charysz who is Lincoln City Council's Open Spaces Officer about the access point. He was supposed to contact his boss who is Steve Bird at City Hall.
No one has rung me back since making enquiries last week.
Dave Charysz though did mention about access points being disabled compliance but it was understood that providing that there are a few on the West Common ie the Long Leys Road gate, the West Parade gate and the Saxilby Road gate, these are sufficient under various regulations concerning access points. This includes people in wheelchairs and parents using pushchairs.
If residents wish to pursue further enquiries and question this, then I suggest that they contact Dave Charysz and Steve Bird direct who are responsible for the West Common.
Lincoln City Council's telephone number is 01522 881188.
The Commons Warden, called Duncan Hall, is unavailable due to being on annual leave. He is responsible for the West Common as well.