CAERWENT COMMUNITY COUNCIL

We hope that, despite the wet weather, you all had a good Summer.

This council takes a break from meetings in August but work still goes on with planning applications etc.

Since our last meeting we held a Public Meeting in Caerwent Village Hall to discuss the points that arose in peoples’ minds as a result of reading the Community Questionnaire results that were published in the Local Resident Report 2007.  800 surveys were handed out with over a third responding.  The survey will provide very useful information on the views of residents to both this Council and MCC.

At the meeting a variety of topics were discussed ranging from sheltered housing to hedge cutting.  We touched on re-cycling, Policing, traffic calming, transport, the old school and the use of monies from the Merton Green development.

Our thanks to those who completed the survey and to those who attended the meeting and contributed so well.

Turning to other matters, the Police are warning residents that some burglars are using cat flaps to gain access to properties.  Food and fuel thefts are also increasing, so be careful.

We had a visit from STAG (The Severn Tunnel Action Group), who gave us an update on their success to date and the projects they were currently embarked on with a view to not only increasing the number of trains that would stop at the station but also improvements to the station itself and to services, such as buses and taxi provision etc.  Great progress is being made and all credit to the group.

The Westgate entrance to the MOD Base is the subject of our attention despite the repair to the bridge, which was the reason it was closed, the “powers that be” have still not sanctioned the provision of proper gatehouse facilities and therefore Dinham Road is still being used.  We have enlisted the help of the local MP and AM in an attempt to put pressure on for some progress.

A meeting has been held at Llanfair Discoed regarding the pavements and the excessive water problems in the Warren area.  All of these matters concern MCC Highways and or County Farms.  Work aimed at dealing with the water problem has started with the clearing of a “sink hole” by a local farmer and MCC are keeping a close eye on the effect of this action.  As regards the footpaths, the re-surfacing has been included in the schedule of works to be carried out as soon as can be arranged.

Residents of Crick have been affected by the replacement sewage facility at the residential home, which was causing a bad smell and noise.  However, steps have been taken to deal with the matter and they seem to be successful.  The position is being monitored. 

We hope the Residents of the St Brides area have not been inconvenienced too much by the road repairs that have been carried out over the Summer.  Maintenance in this area was well over due and more work needs to be carried out in due course.

Our apologies to those who have been disturbed by the activity latterly at the MOD base where a considerable number of training exercises have been carried out.  Some appear to have breached the guidelines and we have reported the incidents to the MOD with a request that they be more mindful of the local residents.

Those of you who have wondered why the new lampposts in Caerwent are so tall will be pleased to hear that they are to be shortened.  Modification will, and in some cases, has been carried out on the new lamps in Canon Lane, which should improve matters there.  If they are not effective please let us know.

Phil Murphy

Chairman

Mrs L McKeon, Clerk to the Council, Caerwent Community Council,

Mayfield, Pill Row, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, NP26 5JD.   Tel:  01291 424802