A meeting organised for residents by Lib Dem councillor Wayne Hoban over the controversial use of Bidwell Gardens as a works access road for the Alexandra Park School development went ahead on 10th July. This was despite the non-attendance of council traffic management and safety officers, following the decision by Labour councillors to advise them not to attend. However, representatives of the developers and the school were present to field questions and concerns from the residents in attendance.

The residents and representatives produced a highly productive meeting with many concerns and issues resolved over the course of the evening. These centre on resident access to the road and parking during the construction period. The following decisions were made:

• A weekly meeting will be held between Bidwell Gardens residents and the constructors to allow residents to be briefed on forthcoming developments and to report back their concerns
• Although the pedestrian entrance to the park at the West end of Bidwell Gardens will be closed from 09.00 to 18.00 hours during the construction period, residents would be given keys to allow access within an agreed scheme.
• Assurance from developers and the school that the Bidwell Gardens entrance to the school would definitely be locked following the development and used for emergency vehicle access only.

Following concerns about the introduction of parking restrictions for the duration of the construction period, the Project Manager agreed to discuss the introduction of a temporary residents’ parking scheme with the Council. The contractor also confirmed that his employees would not be authorised to park in Bidwell Gardens.

Cllr Hoban is pleased with the progress made at the meeting. However he is disappointed that the Council advised against the participation of officers in what was an encouraging meeting.

Councillor Hoban (Alexandra ward) comments:

“Bidwell Gardens residents have every right to feel that they have not been properly consulted over this development. However, as a result of the meeting, a dialogue has been established between residents and the developers which hopefully will allow us to move forward in a spirit of consultation rather than confrontation.”