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

[Robert Parker]

Isn’t it good news that the refurbishment of Higson Road steps is finished. It is good to see projects coming to fruition after such long and arduous negotiations, I can also confirm that the funds used to refurbish these steps came from Lincolnshire County Council and Lincoln City Council and not the Carholme Community Travel Zone pot.

I’d also like residents to know that the reactive speed sign promised and agreed to be sited on Long Leys Road will be in place from February 2009. It is hoped that this will slow the traffic on Long Leys Road making it safer for pedestrians and motorists as well as having a beneficial impact on the environment with slower traffic speeds.

Finally, I am pleased that the Zebra Crossing on Yarborough Road by St Faith and St Martin’s School will be upgraded from a Zebra to a Puffin (pedestrian controlled) crossing during half term in February. The funding for this project has come out of the Carholme Community Travel Zone pot.

[john shipton]

Had a word with Rob this evening about the reactive speed sign due next year.
He said that it is not a permanent road sign but will be temporary and placed on Long Leys Road for about two months.
What he mentioned about gritting Carram Way is correct.
The culprit not doing their bit for St Georges Park to be adopted by Lincolnshire County Council is Persimmons as what happened with Westbury Homes/Persimmons who were involved with Westleys Croft which Dave Underwood from Highways who took on board to get it adopted.
Regarding Westleys Croft, there was a financial bond placed by Westbury Homes which Highways were going to call in if the developer failed its commitment. However, with St Georges Park, no bond was ever undertaken or agreed which Lincoln City Council should have imposed.
It appears that once again officers at City Council failed their duties concerning the so called Urban Village which is no longer talked about and is an embarrassment for all concerned.
Rob will be contacting Highways next week for them to put pressure on Persimmons about completing the roads and footpaths and to include the lampposts not working.

[irene]

I just wondered if any of the contact with Persimmons is regarding Dorrigan Close. I'm in my 5th year here and the road is still not finished. Earlier this year someone uncovered some buried drains which helped with the flooding at that end. However a few weeks ago these were filled in again!!(inevitable flooding to come). It would be nice if Persimmon returned any calls made reference this but they seem to ignore these when they hear your address!

[john shipton]

Suggest you try Dave Underwood one of the Highways Officers at Lincolnshire County Council to find out if he can help.
But the problem has been that Lincoln City Council failed to secure a financial bond with either Westbury Homes then later taken over by Persimmons who built homes, roads,laid the footpaths and put in the lamposts under their responsibilties.
This together with Lincoln City Council failing to secure community facilities for the urban village on Long Leys Road, have high lighted what has been with housing development for the area - no facilities what so ever, and of course allowing Persimmons to get away with all sorts of things which former Westbury Homes sales staff promised for the area in selling their homes to people.
I understand Persimmons were going to deal the outstanding work during this month. Perhaps someone on St Georges Park can enlightened as what is happening who have contacted Persimmons.
Residents will need to get something in writing from Persimmons whether it be by letter or e-mail and then copy and paste the response on this web site for reference.
If nothing is forthcoming and after having a word with Dave Underwood, perhaps you and residents who are having problems with Persimmons can take the matter a step further by contacting the Lincolnshire Echo and get some publicity out of the situation and make your comments and views known.
The developer and the City of LIncoln Council won't like the publicity given about your plight!

[JT]

...and yes - it is brilliant news about the steps. Well done Robert.

[deb]

It is good news but they're not actually finished - at least not the way they said they would be. We were told there would be an anti slip surface all the way up but it has only appeared on 10 steps. Also, the bin has still not arrived next to the bench. Robert Parker is aware though.

Irene, the LLRA, residents (Lizzie Wood on here, see 'Carram Way' thread), local councillors, Dave Underwood have all hammered Persimmons over the roads both your end and from Benbow. Dates keep being promised and then missed and there's always a reason (!!). Robert Parker has now offered to help also, saying " I intend to work with Highway officers and the developers to ensure that there is no further delay in the adoption of roads on St George’s Development." Obviously adoption is some way off since the roads have not even been completed and what you say about the drains is rather worrying. Try Robert direct on CllrR.Parker@lincolnshire.gov.uk with all the info you have. Bear in mind that cl12 posted "I was on the phone to Persimmon the other day. They told me that everything had been approved with Anglian water and the Council has signed the work off. It has gone out to tender and work should start in January....we will see!!! They acknowledged the state of the kerbs and that they would all have to be replaced. Fingers crossed!" so may be worth waiting until January is well in...?

[cl12]

I live on Fulmen Close and was on the phone to Persimmon mid December. They say the work has been sent out to tender and is due to begin some time in Jan. Obviously that remains to be seen, as you can't trust a word persimmon say.

Persimmon has acknowledged that the kerbs need completely replacing, so hopefully it will be a proper job. They blamed the council for taking too long to sign their plans off before they went to tender. I’m not too sure where Dorrigan Close is but hopefully that is included within Fulmen Close?

[SteveW]

As previously posted:

"Ask Karen if Persimmon are prepared to pay say 75% of all householders Council Tax back dated since you all moved in.

Seems a fair assessment to me.

If they refuse, get the local media interested.

I'm sure in the present climate with plenty of their new homes lying empty and unsold, they will not want too much bad publicity"

[irene]

thanks for all the great replies!it has crossed my mind to go to the echo!
i am not so confident about the roads being completed on dorrigan close. i would expect a letter to come to give some notice of work to be done and to have cars moved. unfortunately one hasn't yet arrived.
i will also contact Robert!

[cl12]

A letter from Persimmon? That's a bit much! You might be lucky if you get a scrawled note the day before! He didn't have any actual dates but to be honest I think Jan is a bit optimistic. I wouldn't be surprised if it still hadn't been done by Feb. Maybe the threat of the Echo would do it. We sent them a letter from our solicitors regarding the maintenance of the apartments and they had a grass cutter out a day later!