Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 26 November 2011, 11:32 pm

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS

I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD
21 OXFORD STREET, NORTHWOOD
ISLE OF WIGHT PO31 8PT
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – DECEMBER 2011 / JANUARY 2012

111 THE NUMBER TO CALL

The Island NHS Trust has now set up this Local call centre number for when it is not a 999 emergency but you need medical help fast. You will be asked some questions so that your symptoms can be assessed, then directed straightaway to the Local service that can help best.
This NHS 111 service is available to callers living on or visiting the Isle of Wight. For more information visit nhs.uk/111 so call 111 when it is less urgent than 999.

COWES LIBRARY

The Friends of Cowes Library (including me!) are holding a book sale at the Library in Beckford Road on Saturday 10th December from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Donations of books will be most welcome. They can be dropped in to the library or we can collect if too many to bring in. Please contact me if you require collection. We also of course require customers on the day so please come along and support The Friends to help arrange longer opening hours at the library.

COWES PATHFINDER CENTRE FOR LEARNING
As I reported last month, I had the very real pleasure of visiting the new buildings now reaching the fitting out stage of this £30m plus development to introduce a 21st century learning environment to the Island and to Cowes students in particular. The Centre is on course to open next September and will incorporate the latest in classroom open plan and modular design coupled with a high degree of natural light to deliver a really modern education to the 1,000 plus student campus. The Centre is in fact being built to accommodate an expected roll of around 1,300 – 1,500 and will have ancillary facilities to match.
Incorporating the latest in energy saving design (including a sedum covered roof) you cannot fail to be impressed by this wonderfully modern building. Please watch this space for further details as to progress and of course the official Grand Opening. I would seriously but respectfully advise parents and students who are considering other secondary schools for next September to delay making that choice until they have had the opportunity of visiting the present Cowes High School and discussing what the future holds for this “once in a lifetime” new educational facility in Cowes.

ISLAND POLICING
In view of certain recent comments about local policing levels, I would like to reassure residents that there is police cover for the whole Island, including of course Northwood and Cowes which operates 24 hours a day seven days a week. The 24/7 emergency response is provided by officers from the Targeted Patrol Teams based at Newport and Shanklin Police Stations.
Each part of the Island also continues to have its own Safer Neighbourhood Team. These Teams, which were never designed to provide a 24 hour response to 999 calls, concentrate on long-term policing priorities set in cooperation with the local communities. In our local case this cooperation takes place with the Cowes Area Local Action Group, of which I am a member. The Group is chaired by Northwood Parish Council Chairman, Cllr John Pullen.
The Police tell me that they are never complacent in wanting to maintain an active presence in every local neighbourhood including those like ours with a very low rate of recorded crime. In this day of modern policing methods Officers have access to mobile data on smart phones and laptops. These allow Officers to complete more work on visible patrols in the community instead of having to return to computers at police stations. Thus residents can report concerns at any time of day or night via the usual 101 or 0845 045 45 45 numbers to help ensure Officers are in the right place at the right times.

COWES-NEWPORT CYCLEWAY
Necessary repairs to parts of this “healthy” route at the Cowes end are being or have been made. In addition I am pleased to report that work is now underway extending the Newport end of the Cycleway through the industrial estate past Newport Quay and County Hall, across the bottom of the High Street and on to the Cinema Complex, taking cyclists into the heart of Newport and an even better opportunity to save petrol money and congestion frustration as well as following a healthy pursuit!

SPEED SIGNAGE

I expect the move to a 30mph speed limit in Nodes Road extending further into Place Road will be effected shortly. Local residents have made representations to me for this change in the past and I am glad that both the Police and Highways have agreed this lower speed limit should now be put in place.

To assist motorists in complying with the new lower speed limit, the speed reactive sign presently in position in Place Road (Cowes end) will be moved into Nodes Road. At the same time a new flashing 30mph reactive sign will be fixed on the West side of Place Road to remind motorists of that speed limit as they enter Cowes from Place Road.

|
Residents’ cooperation in driving at appropriate speeds on these two busy local roads would be much appreciated.

PARK ROAD PARKING

Both Cllr Fuller and myself have received complaints about the parking of several large vans either side of the entrance into Northwood Recreation Ground. Our enquiries of the Highways Department have confirmed that these taxed and roadworthy vehicles are entitled to park on the public highway. However because their presence causes vision safety issues when exiting the Recreation Ground, Highways have confirmed that sufficient lengths of double yellow lines will be painted either side of the exit to leave a good visibility splay. I will do my best to ensure these parking restrictions are properly enforced. Residents can of course help in this regard by phoning 821000 to report any illegal parking. I hope the new lines will be in place in the near future.

COLD WEATHER
With British Summer Time officially over and the winter now beginning (not that you would know it from the recent lovely mild weather) I am pleased to confirm that the Council has plenty of salt stocks in reserve for treating roads during freezing temperatures. These amount to over 1,300 tonnes with the option of more should the need arise.
I am sure drivers really are aware of the need to always take extra care on frozen roads, including making sure vehicles are clear of ice and snow before driving off. The Council’s website features a page dedicated to guidelines and safety tips for winter driving. To view the page click here.
|

FINALLY

Jill and I wish all residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

|
Best wishes

Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Roger M.