Lee & Lincombe Community Appraisal
Report on the Results of the Questionnaire
1998
4. Millennium Project
There is a great deal of support for a project to celebrate or commemorate the Millennium. 61.3% support the idea, rising to 78.5% if those with no opinion are excluded. As many as 58 people are willing to give time to a Millennium Fund, and 53 people are prepared to contribute money. All this is very positive. There is a divergence of views on suitable projects, but those gaining most support (in descending order) are :- a community book (53%), a garden party (49.4%), a millennium play (31.3%), a new year's eve party (28.9%), a day time party (27.7%), and a Lee video (24.1 %). However, there are other suggestions which are worthy of consideration.
"Commemorative mug."
"Plant a park or small
wood with commissioned sculpture.""Flower festival - spring."
"Tree planting. "
"Family orientated party all ages welcome."
Recommendation
That the Memorial Hall Committee, which is already interested in initiating a project, be asked to convene a group of interested people to consider and then organise one or more millennium projects, capitalising on all ideas expressed and the interest and commitment of many people.
5. Footpaths, roads, parking and other highways matters
5.1 Footpaths
The perceived importance of footpaths for local people and visitors is clear from the large response to questions on this topic, with very few not expressing an opinion. The lack of signposts at key places (61.5% of respondees), overgrown bushes (53.1 %), and mud or water (40.6%) are seen as the main difficulties in using footpaths. Footpath maintenance is seen as poor by 38.5% of people, and good by only 20%, and 67.5% of all people consider that maps of public footpaths and bridleways need to be displayed in the village.
''This is farmland not a public park- "
''There should be a general right of roaming."
5.2 Parking
Only
15.9% think that parking facilities are good. 37.7% think they are reasonable, but 44.4% believe they are poor, with 2% offering no opinion. Whilst some of the facilities provided for local people and visitors are undoubtedly good, this is an area of concern, and individual comments need careful analysis. Over a period of time, much work will be required on parking matters, including discussions with the highways authority and local landowners."The village car park is satisfactory. That near the hotel is my poorly maintained.
""Not enough in summer, where do you park for a walk?"
"Main car park by the bay is grotty and expensive. "
"Too expensive for short stays."
"Lack of parking, need park and ride. "
5.3 Road maintenance
Most aspects of road maintenance are regarded as reasonable, though the number who regard them as good is low, especially road cleaning and gutter maintenance. Indeed gutter maintenance is regarded as poor by a majority of people (53.5%). Hedge/verge maintenance, road cleaning and overall road maintenance are regarded as poor by 42%, 40.3% and 31.2% of people respectively. Therefore, whilst the situation is not critical for most people, there is room for considerable improvement.
5.4 Traffic signs, vehicle restrictions and speed limits
.Interestingly, residents in the village are not keen for others to find us! Only 29.3% want additional signs directing motorists to Fuchsia Valley. There is an even split in opinions about restrictions on certain types of vehicle; many wanted restrictions on coaches, lorries and caravans, though there was a recognition that coaches and lorries needed access, and that few lorries came to admire the views! A lot of helpful comments were made which need to be studied, including suggestions to encourage commercial traffic to use smaller vehicles, and for coaches to be restricted to certain hours. There is a clear view, however, about speeding problems. 74.2% of those expressing an opinion believe there is a problem of speeding vehicles, and an even clearer view that the speed restriction should be extended to cover Lincombe. 77.6% of all people, amounting to 87% of people expressing an opinion, want a speed restriction to cover Lincombe. The proportion of people who believe that there are traffic danger spots is very similar to those who believe there are speeding problems. The list of danger spots runs to at least 75 examples! Virtually everywhere is mentioned by at least one person, and many places by many people. Lincombe Cross, the bends by the Methodist church, the corner by The Grange, and the area from St Matthews Church to the Old Post Office were mentioned most frequently, and general points, such as the need for roadside hedges to be properly maintained, were made by many people. The complete list needs careful study.
'Lincombe is terrible!''
"Road inherently dangerous, steep."
"Where road width reduced by overgrown hedges. "
"On most of the sharp narrow bends "
" Everywhere!''
"Too many to single out. "
"People including visitors drive too fast through the village. "
Recommendation
That a Footpaths and Highways group be established, firstly, to analyse in more detail the nature of identified problems, and, secondly, to meet with relevant authorities and, if necessary, landowners to discuss ways forward and produce an action plan.
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