Marwood Community Appraisal 1999
TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS
Speeding traffic and large vehicles were a concern for the majority of the Parish. The Guineaford and Prixford sections drew the most comment. However, all areas of the Parish were identified with particular emphasis on inhabited sections of the roads. The need for more traffic restrictions/calming was well supported.
Lack of public transport increases traffic. The survey showed that if public transport existed it would be used often or occasionally by:
66 to travel to work
155 for shopping
134 for social reasons
91 for medical visits
‘Permanent salting/gritting facilities should be provided on the road between Prixford and Springford Cross’
Suggestion - contact local bus companies to see if any further provision can be made.
Suggestion - Locally led campaigns for safer, slower driving have had some success in North Devon. The newly proposed speed restrictions for the A361 between Knowle and Barnstaple may increase traffic on our local roads.
Form an action group enlisting the help & advice of the highways department.
‘Why not have a one-way system between Wigley Cross, Marwood Gardens and Guineaford Bridge?’
LOCAL COUNTRYSIDE & ENVIRONMENT
There was strong support for provision of space for children to play and people to picnic. Naturally most people were keen to see this provided close to where they actually live and so suggestions were made for all over the Parish.
‘In Milltown Woods’
‘Somewhere in the centre of Guineaford’
‘Near Marwood Church’
‘A field adjacent to the Ring ‘O’ Bells’
Hedges and boundaries were considered an important issue. There were opposing views about hedge maintenance with 229 people believing that hedges should be kept short and tidy whilst 133 believed that they should be allowed to grow naturally. 207 people would like to see more hedges. The needs of both the motorist and wildlife were deemed important considerations in the preservation of existing hedges.
‘Cap lighting above street level in Milltown to prevent light pollution’
Underground cables were thought desirable by 221 people. Villages and inhabited sites were identified in general terms and with other suggestions covered the whole Parish.
‘I don’t like overhead cables in my garden’
Suggestion - approach companies responsible for electricity and telephone supply to see if ‘going underground’ is at all possible.
147 people would like a Parish Map drawn up and a third of these would like to be involved. Twenty identified themselves.
Suggestion - a group could be formed to carry out this project.
An overwhelming 95% (302) of the respondents stated they would be prepared to separate their rubbish for recycling.
Suggestion - contact NDDC and recycling companies to see if their collections could be extended to cover Marwood Parish.
MILLENNIUM PROJECT
161 people considered that the community should adopt a Millennium Project. In rank order the listed suggestions received the following support:
|
Tree planting |
86 |
Open space |
54 |
|
Celebration day |
65 |
Parish Map/book |
51 |
|
Parties |
58 |
Time capsule |
23 |
53 people offered time. 69 money, 34 both.
Suggestion - A group could be formed to progress this project.
RETAIL SERVICES
A mobile Post Office would be used and appreciated by 122 people
Suggestion - Anyone feeling strongly should contact the P.O. to check feasibility of providing a service.
IN CONCLUSION
Residents of Marwood Parish recognise that the geography of such a diverse community can cause some difficulties. Main subjects of contention appear to be traffic, what to do about a Community Hall and what methods to use to improve communications generally. Ways of reducing these problems have been identified and people seem willing to make the effort required to do so including some agreeing to a moderate increase in Council Tax or making private donations or fundraising to support any suggestions followed up.
Thanks are due to all the people who generously gave up their time to develop, deliver and collect the questionnaires. They are:
Now that the views of local people have been expressed, it will be necessary, if the main points are to be followed through, for members of the community to pool their ideas and act upon them. The Public Meeting will be a starting point for all those interested in tackling certain issues raised in the Appraisal.