Plans are being developed for a rail link between Cambridge and Bedford, as part of a wider reinstatement of a railway line between Cambridge and Oxford (which was called the “Varsity Line”). This brings a number of opportunities for residents of Royston as well as some concerns that we believe should be addressed. The organisation set up to deliver this new rail infrastructure, the East West Railway Company, has recently asked local residents for their views on a number of route options. We decided to make the following response:
East West Rail Route Options consultation
Response from Royston Liberal Democrat Councillors
11th March 2019
We write to you as Town, District and County Councillors for Royston, speaking independently of our respective councils.
We are supportive of the principle of improving transport connections in our local area, and we positively welcome increased rail connectivity as a sustainable transport solution in preference to construction or widening of roads.
However, we have two main concerns:
1. We are concerned about the prospect of a new town of 100,000 people being built at Bassingbourn. It can be assumed that a number of the residents of this new town will commute to London, which will require substantial infrastructure improvements in Royston which are not specified in the consultation documents. Examples of these improvements include additional rail services into London, improved car parking at Royston station and a cycle route linking the two towns including a bridge over the A505.
We therefore oppose routes A, C and D unless a detailed plan for the required infrastructure improvements in Royston can be provided.
2. We are also concerned about the potential impact on railway capacity into Cambridge. We understand that capacity at Cambridge is already limiting Royston services so any works to bring a further connection into Cambridge will need to expand capacity for the existing routes as well as accommodate the new route.
We therefore have concerns about (but do not specifically oppose) routes A, B, C, D and E unless rail capacity is improved in the required manner.
Thomas Perry (Town Councillor for Royston Town South)
Carol Stanier (Town Councillor for Royston Town South)
Steve Jarvis (County Councillor for Royston West and Rural)
Ruth Brown (District and Town Councillor for Royston Heath and Royston Town West)
Emma Squire-Smith (Town Councillor for Royston Town West)
Conservatives at Herts County Council have decided to go ahead with a plan to “outsource” the running of all the county’s libraries.
This means that, rather than being run by the council, supervised by our county councillors, they will are likely to be run by some sort of trust. Just like the trusts that now run many other public services local people will have no say over its operation.
Residents in Heath Avenue, Chilcott and Briary Lane have been telling Carol Stanier that they are fed up with their roads used being used as a town centre car park making it difficult to get out of drives and cutting visibility at junctions.
There was supposed to be a review of Royston’s parking problems which should have resulted in yellow lines or residents’ parking areas to address the problems. Unfortunately North Herts Council has been stalling on changes for nearly two years.
Carol Stanier has asked them to get a move on and get the problems sorted.
All lights to stay on until 1.00 am
For several years Liberal Democrat County Councillors have been arguing that the street lights that are turned off at midnight should be kept on later. Particularly around town centres and stations there are people still making their way home at this time who need the lights to be on.
We are pleased to say that the County Council has eventually listened and agreed that street lights that have been converted to LEDs will be left on until 1.00 am rather than going off at midnight. This will be paid for by dimming the lights (which trials show most people don’t notice) after 9.00 pm. This means that there is no additional cost or energy usage.
We have actually come up with a way to save even more money and energy and leave town centre lights on until 2.00 am, but at the moment the Conservatives are refusing to do this.
Date and time: Saturday 17th November at 19:00
Location: Market Hill Rooms, Royston
Tickets are £12 per person to enter and they include a choice of fish, chicken or veggie burger with chips for dinner. We’re happy for people to come along in teams or alternatively to join a team when they come along.
Please let us know if you’d like to attend so we can estimate numbers in advance.
Please welcome Councillor Paul Marment from Letchworth Grange to the party.
https://hitch-harp-libdems.org.uk/…/defection-letchworth-co…
We’ve had a busy few days!
Ruth Brown was elected to North Herts District Council to represent Heath Ward, Royston and four local members were elected to the Royston Town Council: Ruth Brown and Emma Squire Smith in Royston Town West and Tom Perry and Carol Stanier in Royston Town South.
Thank you to all of the Liberal Democrat supporters and voters who made this possible.
The candidates for all the Royston district and town elections have been announced. Royston Lib Dems are putting forward candidates for every District seat:
We also have candidates standing in all areas for the town council:
- West: Ruth Brown, Amy DiCapite, Emma Squire Smith
- South: Carol Stanier, Tom Perry
- Palace: Peter Rice, David May, Ian Stuart
- Meridian: David Lambert
Please give them your support on 3rd May!
