Stagecoach boss admits...buses on Milton Rd and King's Hedges Rd

Andy Campbell, the Cambridgeshire Stagecoach boss, bravely faced the public at the NAC, but it is clear that he doesn't share the concerns of local residents about a decent bus service.

On the 9/X9 services, when I challenged him, he did admit that they are not really relevant to those people who have lost the use of the Park and Ride service. Those services have existed for some time and he himself admitted they were designed for the residents of the villages and not the City. He also admitted that the every 20 minute service to Cambourn is not a replacement for an every ten minute service to Addenbrookes. This is despite the fact that the Conservative run County insisted that the stops would not be removed without a decent replacement.

The Park & Ride could be made to stop on Milton Rd off-peak as the buses often run nearly empty in the day, and stop efficiently in the peak by providing on street ticket machines or selling tickets at the local shops.

He also refused to consider extending the Citi4 to Buchan street, despite the fact that the buses currently sit idle as they can't go to Arbury Park until the building finishes.

More positively any deviation from route should be reported. He seemed annoyed that drivers might be failing to follow the correct route. You can complain to Stagecoach directly or via us, but be sure to provide the date, time, route number and location.

News from the NAC

Among the decisions made at North Area Committee...

• The Arbury Community Centre car park plans were finalised and should now go out to wider consultation.
• The problem planter blocking views onto Campkin Road should be fixed! The officers have been told to draw up plans and consult local residents.
• Funding has been allocated to the problem of people driving on the verge to cut the corner from Milton Road into Ramsden Square. This should be consultation on a bollard on the verge or some similar scheme fairly soon.
• Access to Arbury Court should now be easier for the disabled and those with children. The barriers with arms will be removed.

North Area Committee

This Thursday is NAC day. It takes place at Manor Community College, on Arbury Road. It starts at 7.30pm, but before that is a presentation about grants to local organisations.

On the agenda on Thursday...

• Buses: The Managing Director of Stagecoach Cambs, Andrew Campbell, will be facing the public
• Policing: a report on police activities and priorities
• Leisure and community development grants
• Environmental improvement grants

There is also an open forum to raise issues with all the North Area councillors.

So come along on Thursday 20th September.

Trading Standards and mock auctions

I received a warning from a constituent about a mock auction type event in the ward.
(See this news story for details of similar events elsewhere.)

A piece of consumer advice I have been given from trading standards in the past is "if it seems too good to be true it probably is." Don't let curiosity get the better of you!

If you have any doubts about sales events then please call Cambridgeshire Trading Standards (0845 045 5206) or Consumer Direct (08454 04 05 06) to report it.

I am disappointed that it seems the police were unable to take action about this sort of activity.

Cleaner paths and car parks

On Friday I had a phone call with the council officer who runs the Street Scene department.

We discussed a couple of long standing niggles, such as the problem of Arbury Community Centre car park and the paths from Ramsden Square. I was promised that a special effort will be made next week to remove litter that is getting stuck between the wire fence and the wooden fences behind them.

If you want to know when your road is due to be cleaned then there is some good news. From Monday the litter picking rota for our ward should be added to the City Council's online listings.