Page 15 - Phonebox Magazine October 2006

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Councillor Steve Clark
Phonebox Magazine 15
The Missing Link
Work on the final ‘missing link’ of the ‘Drift Way’ distributor road between the A509 and the B5388 in Olney began in earnest at the end of August and very good progress seems to have been made on the scheme so far. The expected duration of the construction is around 14 to 16 weeks, so the new road could possibly be open in time for the Christmas holiday period.
The saga of Drift Way has seen many twists and turns over the years since this western distributor road for the town was first conceived. Residents may recall that there was not a through route during the early stages of the housing development in this part of the town. A short stretch of road from Weston Road and a longer stretch from Yardley Road both came to a ‘dead end’ because of a so-called ‘ransom strip’. This strategic plot of land was associated with development permitted on Johnsons Field in the early 1990s. This early ‘missing link’ was meant to be completed at the developer’s expense six months after the start of development on Johnsons Field, but was not actually delivered until August 1993. The road was only open for a short time before Bucks County Council (then the Highway Authority in this area) created an interesting hazard by placing a barricade across the highway in an unlit location! The road finally opened properly in November 1993 and promptly became a favourite local race track. Frustrated by the number of motorists travelling faster than the 30 mph limit, Olney Town Council pleaded for something to be done. Bucks County Council then responded by increasing the speed limit to 40 mph in mid 1995, although this was probably not quite what the Town Council had in mind!
Another major step in the saga came with the construction of the ‘Whirlypits’ roundabout on the A509 in 1996. This major project, involving the raising of the road level at this point, was completed ahead of schedule in June of that year. Thoughts then turned to securing the remaining length of
road between the A509 and Yardley Road. This had initially been required as part of the development of the Colsons Way/Ferne Furlong area, but failed to be achieved. After lengthy negotiations, a further section of the road was constructed to serve as the
access for the Lilly Hill development permitted in Autumn 1997 and funded by the developer.
The final phase of the carriageway extension works is being funded by a s106 ‘planning gain’ agreement secured with the developer of the current new housing site on Aspreys. The vast majority of the work is being carried out without any disruption to traffic on Yardley Road or Wellingborough Road.
Best Kept Village Competition 2006
Saturday 16th September was a very proud day for the town of Olney and also our neighbours at Weston Underwood. Olney was judged as the winner of the Michaelis Cup, a trophy awarded in the category of small towns with a population over 3,000. The town achieved a very creditable 94 points out of a possible 100. This was also the highest score for any of the entrants in this years competition, resulting in Olney also being awarded the coveted ‘Sword of Excellence’. The awards were presented to Olney Town Clerk Pat Slaney and Deputy
Clerk Sandra Grummitt by Sir Henry Aubrey- Fletcher, the Lord Lieutenant. Town Mayor Paul Watson then responded with warm thanks to the council’s staff for their hard work.
Weston Underwood seems to have a habit of winning trophies and this year was no exception. The presentation party arrived on the village green to present the Tindall Cup to John Covington, Chairman of the Parish Council. The Tyndall Cup is presented to the town or village judged to be the overall winner in all categories in the previous year. Weston Underwood achieved a score of 92 points out of 100, resulting in their sixteenth trophy award! The competitions are organised by the Bucks Association of Local Councils (BALC) and sponsored by Calor – the UK’s leading supplier of liquefied petroleum gas, with additional support from Bucks County Council, Milton Keynes Council and the District Councils from Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe. d
Weston Underwood wins the Tindall Cup
Pictured left to right: Gillian Nicol, John Covington, Steve Clark, Debbie Brock and Fred Foster (photograph by Mark Covington)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Cllr Stephen Clark, 32 Dagnall Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5BJ
Telephone, SMS text or fax: 01234 711743* Or email: stephen.clark@milton-keynes.gov.uk *You can now contact me by SMS text message to the number above.
FIESTA FIREWORKS Saturday November 4th
Gates open 6pm
Charity Field Recreation Ground off East Street, Olney
TICKETS Family £8 in advance or £10 on gate Single £3 in advance or £4 on gate
Available from Olney Centre Library, Stephen Oakley & Co, C T Wilson, McColl’s Newsagents, Words Bookshop
SPONSORED BY STEPHEN OAKLEY & CO
Live Guy & Jack-o-Lantern competitions, fair rides, stall selling laser sticks, mulled wine, beer tent and hot food