Welcome to the February 2008 issue of Great Baddow Online Newsletter

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Introduction

For newcomers to the site, this newsletter is circulated monthly to registered site members and friends, to supplement information on the site itself. Please forward to colleagues and other interested individuals in order to publicise the site. If you are a recent newcomer to the site, welcome - your readership is appreciated.

Small ad on the front page

A person has asked me to advertise for someone to provide childcare for a baby boy in the family home.  This is the first case where I have been requested to advertise a 'want' rather than the sale of goods or services. I'm running the ad on the front page because of the support this site gives to members of the community but if I receive additional requests, I'll have to consider providing a 'classified ads' section!   

Development at the Army and Navy

Last month, I reported on the proposals concerning developments at the Army and  Navy roundabout. Chelmsford council proposes to establish an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in the vicinity of the roundabout and has published a consultation document which decribes how some of the options will impact on the road layout and use of the junction with Baddow Road.

Some of the proposals are straightforward but if these are unsuccessful in reducing poor air quality other more radical solutions will be considered, some of which would impact considerably on traffic flows and travel options; e.g the rerouting of buses. Last month I suggested that people study the proposals and take the opportunity to comment.

Chelmsford Borough Council is running a drop in consultation day within the Air Quality Management Area on Saturday 23rd February 2008 at the Millenium Centre Great Baddow between 10am and 4pm where officers from CBC and Essex County Council will be attending to answer any questions that the public may have. I recommend that if you have any concerns about future access from Great Baddow to the town centre you take the opportunity to provide feedback.

My own opinion is that any solution to the congestion around the Army and Navy is unlikely to solve the problem completely and may indeed only move it to the next (Odeon) roundabout. Chelmsford's road network does not adequately support free movement of traffic; north of the town, access is by old, relatively narrow roads (e.g Broomfield Road, Springfield Road) and the Parkway dual carriageway has severe limitations on free traffic flow because of  the many junctions, both roundabouts and traffic lights, which impede smooth distribution of traffic. What we really need is an inner ring road, connecting Parkway to a parallel northern dual carriageway linking Broomfield Road across to Springfield Road and the old A12.  But the space to build such a route is probably non existent, so we will probably always suffer with town centre congestion!

A friend has also pointed out the lack of provision for dedicated cycle routes south of the town and also the poor signposting within the village. e.g where centre village is there a road sign for Southend?

Entertainment

We should be grateful to those local societies and clubs which regularly promote local entertainment. A week ago we had the folk meets classic concert in St Mary's Church and also the Theatre at Baddow production of  'Allo, 'Allo.  I gather both of these proved popular and were well received. Next week at Sandon Village Hall, St Andrew's Youth Fellowship is performing 'Babes in the Wood' pantomime, and on Saturday 16 February, Essex on Tour presents "With a Little Bit O' Luck" with Dave Sealey. This narrates the story of Stanley Holloway, well known for his monologues including  'Albert and the Lion'. 

If you wish to have a good evening out and avoid the TV, why not demonstrate support for a live show?

Tiffany's cafe bar

Since opening a month ago, this venture has proved far more popular than the previous restaurants and at times it is quite busy. Good luck to the owners.

Roadworks

Mid January saw  resurfacing work in Longmead Avenue and the High Street, both of which have made improvements to the road surface. Disruption was minimised, and the end result should be a much needed improvement to the environment.

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