Chanterlands Avenue rail bridge pigeons - latest

John Fareham and John Abbott have news of progress towards a solution of the pigeon problems affecting Chanterlands Avenue rail bridge.

After prolonged pressure on our part including a full discussion some months ago at Wyke Area Committee, Hull City Council has now formally applied to Network Rail for permission to install a pigeon deterrent system, comprising steel netting and expected to last for five years, on the bridge.  As soon as Network Rail grant permission – assuming of course that they do – work will commence. This will be the culmination of a campaign that began with remarks on the doorstep from local residents about the nuisance value of these feral birds, involved the officers taking various forms of action to reduce the noise and clear away the mess, and now will hopefully result in these “rats with wings” taking a hike.

Newland Park resurfacing delays

John Fareham and John Abbott regret to inform local residents that the resurfacing of Newland Park has now been postponed until February 2013.

As a result of conferring with the officers about why the work had not yet been undertaken, we have been informed that the contractors were unable to begin work on the date we reported in CONTACT! 1320 because of the inclement weather we had at the time.  The weather in late October was unsuitable for putting new tarmac down.  We understand that the officers were told about the delay just in time to tip off the Newland Park Residents’ Association; if there are any further delays and yet another date is set we will of course let you know.

Appleton Primary School new classroom

John Fareham and John Abbott report success in their support for Appleton Primary School to have a new foundation unit built in time for the new school year in 2013-14.

Cabinet approved the awarding of a contract for this work on 26^th November. As things now stand, the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One classes are housed in separate buildings; these will be demolished when the new extension has been completed. Work was due to start on 7 January, but has now been put back to start on the 21st with preparatory work beginning some days beforehand and will be managed on behalf of the Council by NPS Humber. The delay was caused by not having enough time to buy in materials after Cabinet approved the contract. It is hoped that the works will cause as little disruption as possible, although we understand some pile-driving will be involved, but if it should prove otherwise we will, as with the building works at Kelvin Hall School, stand ready to pass local residents’ concerns on to the relevant parties.