From our District Councillor
Oliver Cromwell's House
It is nice to be able to start my report with some good news. Oliver Cromwell's House in Ely, which is run by East Cambs council, has won the prestigious best tourist information centre award for the east of England.
The centre and its staff beat of strong competition to take the award and progress to the national finals, which are to take place in April 2010.
Oliver Cromwell's house has had a successful year, as has Ely's markets which are also run by the council, and Jubilee Gardens which again this year won a green flag award.
Reach Lode Bridge
The National Trusts application for a bridge over Reach Lode to take the last stage of the cycle route from Anglesey Abbey to Wicken fen came before the council's planning committee in October.
There has been a lot of local opposition to the construction of the bridge on environmental grounds. I attended the committee meeting to propose an alternative route for the cycle way. It would not have needed to cross Reach Lode; therefore the bridge would not have been needed.
I was not allowed to put my case for a revised route and the planning committee approved the national trusts application.
Business waste recycling
To help businesses recycle more of their waste, East Cambs District Council is now offering practical advice on the best ways to reduce rubbish sent to the landfill. The community recycling officer from the council will visit firms to look at their waste disposal services to see if their costs can be reduced as well as less waste going into landfill.
Ely southern link road
Officers at the District and County Councils are looking at options for major improvements to the A142, principally the southern link road round Ely. Work on plans for the road are moving forward, with funding from Cambridgeshire horizons and the government housing growth fund. They are looking at a link between
Stuntney causeway and Angel Drove.
We are working with English Heritage, who are concerned that the route chosen will have the least possible environmental impact.
As we move towards the end of 2009. I would like to wish everyone a happy Christmas. I look forward to working on behalf of all of the residents of the Swaffams ward during the coming year.