Approximately 60 members attended the Autumn meeting, held at Widcombe C of E Junior School on 18th October 2010, where the highlight was a presentation on the Rossiter Rd scheme by the Mayor of London’s Commissioner for Transport, Widcombe resident Peter Hendy.
Chairman Richard Wales opened the meeting.
Three new committee members were proposed, seconded and unanimously elected. Our plea for volunteers has been heard and Ann Ashworth is now our assistant membership secretary, Helen Peter is in charge of Streetscape and Maggie Turner has joined as chair of the newly formed Church Street sub-committee, which is looking at the problems of traffic and parking in that road. Anna Morgan is helping the treasurer with direct debits but has not joined the committee.
Paddy Doyle was thanked for an excellent newsletter and Jan Robertson and her helpers for stuffing envelopes and delivering by hand, which saves a significant amount of money.
The Chairman pointed out that since publication of the newsletter, there has been a meeting with SUSTRANS and Greenway! and Lyncombe Vale Residents about the Two Tunnels Scheme. For the Lyncombe Vale access, SUSTRANS is obliged to try to meet their normal standards. A formal application to purchase allotment land has been refused so they are now free to go ahead with a stepped access and ramp, which will allow local people access but is unlikely to encourage outsiders.
Another issue is tunnel lighting. The police want the tunnels unlit during hours of darkness which we think will encourage antisocial behaviour. At SUSTRANS request, the WA has written a letter to them which they will share with the police.
Treasurer Jeremy Boss assured the members that we are in reasonable financial shape. We have around £7,000 in the bank and £700 in the Abbey cemetery fund. We have raised extra money for things such as new equipment and the Holloway Horse Trough, and spent money on consultancy for Rossiter Road.
Guest Speaker Peter Hendy gave a presentation on the Rossiter road scheme, followed by questions and answers. The substance of his presentation will shortly be reflected in an updated Rossiter Road page on the website, and will be available with the meeting minutes when published (following approval at the next committee meeting).
The evening concluded as usual with drinks, nibbles and conversation.