Have the Council murdered any badgers?

The park friends report

Coronation Valley Project Report

The immediate good news is the progress concerning the Coronation Valley refurbishment. Robert Edwards from the Cheshire East Property Office, was welcomed and introduced to the group.

Robert’s report detailed delays to the work as a result of several claims of active badger sets in the valley. He re-iterated and confirmed the number of visits by both Police and environmentalists, the reports that have been presented to confirm that there is no badger activity in the project area and the costs that have been incurred as a result of the several investigations – these running to many thousands of pounds. Robert was able to confirm in great depth the detailed reports that have been presented and the fact that the CE Legal Department is satisfied that all complaints have been proved fruitless and that the valley work is legitimate and above board.

Elaine again advised the group of her contacts with Wirral Badger Association who have also confirmed as above. However, it was noted that there have been some threatening messages and the resulting delays have cost around 20% of the budget. Clearly, this will have an impact on the completion of the project and might necessitate new funding bids.

Robert told the meeting that the water course pump is now working, a timer has been fitted and the flow has been tested. Repairs to the stream bed should take 2-3 weeks, but large boulders and cobbles that were part of the original plans (available to view) might not be possible. The planting scheme (available to view) might also be affected, though there is a possibility that CEC has sourced additional funding for this. Bench alcoves along the new pathway will have to be funded at a future date, likewise the proposed bog garden.

The meeting thanked Robert for his attendance and the much appreciated information and update.

The truth

The claims are all wrong the sett has been active for over 20 years the councils own report see How Many Wildlife Crimes Have CEC Committed?

shows the sett was active members of the badger group confirmed it was active in January The jobs was then stopped as it was illegal as there was no licence from Natural England. The council then claim they put cameras down and the sett was inactive very convenient.

But there is a problem a Freedom of information request made to the council they refused to provide any evidence from the cameras so did they exist? Several people on the project stated different times that the cameras were down.

This raises questions if they were there and showed no badgers why would that be.

Being breading season they may stay underground a long time

Being frightened by the work could keep them underground or worse still they could have disturbed them which is another crime

If the cameras didn't cover the whole area they would not show up

If they didn't put any down they could say anything to move ahead with the work which would explain why they wont supply the details, they broke the law by not supplying the information in the given time which was a crafty move so the job would be finished before anyone could act on the info.

So they are wrongly saying there are no badgers but there is a twist in the tail being a badger group we have access to the greatest badger experts in the country and one came all the way from Surrey during the work and did a survey in the proper manner ie she sought permission obeyed all H& S requirements and did the induction needed. This unlike the one quoted above who broke into the site when no one was there much to the annoyance of the contractors.

She has over 20 years experience checking badger setts and she confirmed the sett was being used as there was clear evidence of activity. Her details which should be protected by the council under data protection rules were leaked and she received abuse and threats as a result.

Now that raises more questions

Were the other people who did the other surveys incompetent, negligent or paid off to give false results? As a result work then started when it shouldn't have passed the Police or Natural England if it was still in use and therefore a crime may have been committed again.

One staff member made the comment the job comes first sod the badgers and this shows the councils attitude to the matter.

At the above meeting they complain about the loss of budget and the problems trying to blame everyone else but the truth is simple they were advised many times they needed to obtain a licence for the work but ignored this and any loss is their fault through bad management if they had done the work in September when it was supposed to be done it wouldn't need a licence so no one is to blame but the management of the project the Police wouldn't have stopped the job if they had the correct licence. They also carried out work close to other setts illegally.

The project has been visited by other experts with 30 year experience in badgers and there is undisputable evidence the badgers are still there in fact the whole area you can see foot prints in the soil. There is evidence that a crude attempt to block the sett was made with sods placed on one and another seems to have been kicked to destroy it

To top it off they have now put flags down for seats right next to the sett this shows total disrespect for any wildlife by the council

No where for wildlife to breed

Spotted the Mandarin and other ducks going over to Tipkinder this week as there is no were for them to breed in the park.

One of the main areas were ducks breed is on the islands but as you can see they are practically bare with very little to build a nest from and no were for them to hide

At the friends meeting they said they would provide floating islands but they have not appeared they needed to be in long before now as grebe come find water and food but no were to breed as they cant go on land so they just move on to other areas. The question on everyone's lips is were has all the money gone that the wildlife group raised which was a few thousands wasnt this to put suitable plants on the islands for breeding. They have had all winter to do this and all we see is a few very small bushes that cost a couple of pounds and wont mature for many years. Just digging up some bamboo from by the lake and planting that would have worked it doesnt go big but is ground cover and ideal for ducks etc to hide and nest in. A lot of people have asked were has all the money gone

Panoramic view of the lake

Joey the Swan or Queens Park Which is Best?

 

After over 5 years and £7 million pounds the Queens park is still a mess and far from being finished. I thought it would be good to compare it to Joey The Swan area a short distance away that has had very little money spent on it.

Who runs the Wisaston area a short description of the group by the Chairman John M Wood,

Wistaston Conservation Group is a small group with 25 members, of whom around 11 can be relied on to come out and work in the area.
We meet each Monday morning at 0930, with the aim to keep Wistaston the lovely place we all wish to live in.
Over the years, we were constituted in 1997, we have done many small projects, but we have also carried out several major projects such as the path across the recreation ground, the Jubilee footbridge at Wistaston Green Road carpark, the information boards and benches along the paths, etc.
Our present project, to which you refer, is still a work in progress, and we will be continuing the path and bridge building this coming Monday, and have several plantings in mind for the area.
Our weekly work force averages 9 people, and we are basically self-funded; our only income tends to be from the sale of plants, photographs, bird boxes, etc at the Wistaston fete in June.
Should we need cash for a specific project, we can approach the Wistaston Parish Council, who will help us as necessary.
For the larger projects, such as the Jubilee bridge, we sourced grants from such as WREN, who were very generous in funding almost all of that project cost.
Another annual project is keeping the area clear, as much as possible, from Himalayan Balsam, which takes our team several weeks a year.
We do an annual tree planting, for which we used to obtain free trees from the Cheshire Landscape Trust, but they have ceased to exist, and so we now have to buy the trees, and obtain what cash we can to cover these costs.
All of our work is based on being wildlife friendly, and we have done several projects to improve habitats, etc.
Your comment on log piles is interesting, as presently the piles you see are work in progress, but when finished, there will indeed be various habitat-improving features. Wistaston Community has a website as well http://www.wistastoncommunity.co.uk/

The first thing  you notice is nice clean paths with metal seats every few hundred yards so you have somewhere to sit and enjoy the area and they are all metal and bolted down so unlike the park they don't get vandalised and thrown in the river.

There is the stream running through the site with little water fall

Above you can see what volunteers can do with little or no money a nice path using old logs and wood chipping to create a wildlife habitat, by using logs this provides homes for insects which in turn feed other wildlife and cost nothing

A sign showing you were you are and about the site the park had one of these but its got lost, it also shows wildlife you can expect to see along with plants and details

In the woods were tarmac paths are not practical they have constructed steps from wood and chipping etc

Another quality path made from logs with moss growing on them everything is being used and the paths are nice and clean and safe. The park remove all trees from the area and they are not used.

The area has bird boxes and feeding station along with new planted bushes that will attract wildlife like Buddleias

Queens Park

The main drives are ok in the park but stray away from that and you find Coronation Walk once the highlight of the park  with plants and pets and you find the area full of weeds and rubbish  and its not even on the radar for being repaired as yet.

Steep paths by the lake are a safety hazard as they are just mud paths very slippery

By the lake is a mini lake full of stinking stagnant water and rock so if you fall you can crack your skull open. The park has various groups as well as being run by the Council and compared to wisaston they achieved next to nothing.

Friends of Queens Park

First we have the Friends group who are a group who were not voted in and were supposed to be a committee for 1 year but then changed the rules so they stayed in for longer. They are now self perpetuating as they are a gang who just vote each other back in. Most of them rarely visit the park. They have raised several thousand pounds which is stuck in the bank and never spent on the park.

Ants Group

We have the ANTS who from day one didnt want to listen to anyone but just wanted to do their own thing and I hear many comments that some are only there to promote their own company or further their political careers. They have come and picked up rubbish so at the end of the day you cant see any changes they have made. They have destroyed the mini bamboo by the lake which was home to moorhens and rabbits. The cleaned the lodge garden and removed old rare plants but as with everything they do there is no follow up so as you can see above the gardens is back to being a weed garden.

They have many times tackled Coronation walk but they tidy it then leave it for months so its then back to being a dump again. There is no reason why they couldnt remove all the weeds and plant nice new plants and keep it clear it could be a nice part of the park again and they could then have something to show for the work. As it is they tidy a bit and leave it so its back again a week later. Until they do this sort of project nothing will be achieved.

Wildlife Group

This group canvases for money as a wildlife group but their leader has stated on social media and told many people she isnt interested in wildlife only HER swans as birds can fly away and feed. Despite advice from people who rescue swans everyday they still continue to treat them as babies feeding them by hand with a dog present teaching them its safe to eat from humans and dogs are safe.  As such she is getting money under false pretences people may be happy to give to a wildlife group but not to a swan group either way they must know were their money is going. They have raised a few thousand pounds but apart from giving some to the RSPCA there is little evidence of any of the other money being spent on wildlife.

How many bird boxes have they installed   0

How many bird tables or feeders                 0

How many plants to attract wildlife               0

How many log piles as recommended by RSPB etc   0.

The Winner

So the conclusion is Wistaston with very little money and less volunteers wins as their whole area is dedicated to wildlife and using materials that nature provides for a few coppers. The groups from the park should go and take a look what can be done and take back to the park ideas used in the area.

If the park had used volunteers like Wisaston   we would not have suffered with the paths they way they are now for 5 years even if they were temporary until money was available to redo the paths. Still nothing has been done to some areas like Burma island which it was promised would be done 2 years ago by the council 

Winter Colour in The Queens Park

Lots of nice winter colour which as its so mild should be Autumn colour. You would expect most trees to have lost their leaves by now but there hanging on but changing almost daily

One of the most colourful is this tree by Tipkinder end and below the pampus grass by Princess Di s plaque is still doing well

The Friends AGM took place recently were members are voted in for yet another 3 years as no one else turns up they all vote each other in yet again. I did find this interesting and I quote

This time last year the Chair stated we would be starting the paths; it is disappointing this has not happened, however the budget is there and waiting to go -- the only delay is ongoing consultation with English Heritage and our Planning officers –this should be resolved soon. Hopefully, the work will start on site before Spring next year.

It tell us the old old story time again last year they said it would be done in spring then they said it would be August now its next year will it ever get done? Last year they stated that Burma Island would be done by Xmas 18 months later nothing has happened its the same story with Coronation Walk no sign of that being done will the park ever be finished after all these years you could have built a new one.

Total Waste of Time

The park now has all sort of volunteer groups including ANTS, Wildlife, Fishing and Friends. The whole scheme is just chaos and these groups dont seem to understand what they are doing is a waste of time. The ANTS have turned up lots of times and done stuff which is a total waste of peoples time. Above they tidied the lodge garden and in the process removed some old rare plants as they have no knowledge. But time and time again they make the same mistakes they cleaned it and thats it as you can see above the weeds are back so all the time they spent cleaning is just a waste of time. They do the same in coronation walk    they tidy it up then never go back for a month or so in which time its its a wilderness again so their time is wasted, the gulf war they planted bushes and left them to die and the border full of weeds.

If they came in every time and just kept 3 areas clean it would stay clean and be improved not revert to a wilderness they could renovate one area and then they could come back and show we have done that as it is when they come back its just wild again as it was before they started. If they are not going to do it properly then leaving it rough for wildlife is a better option.

All these groups are getting out of hand and potentially dangerous along with people from Facebook groups they have resorted to threats and harassment of park users  with people threatening OAP’s not very brave of them if they need to pick on OAP this has been harassment in the internet and physical death threats in the park . There have been several allegation of the wildlife group harassing people in the park and these are women who have visited the park daily for over 6 years feeding the wildlife and now get harassed by  the group. There is still great concern by swan experts  that they are taming the swans and treating them like pets not wildlife hand feeding them with a dog present so they have no fear until one kills them. Even though people who have many years experience of swans  have said they may not survive as they are becoming humanised these people continue to put their lives in danger. All these groups seem to develop a Hitler complex refusing to listen to anyone and harassing them with new laws coming out these troll can get a 2 year prison sentance

A large tree felled by the band stand this week

A grebe back on site and has been around for a week

First baby Ducks this year

The first baby ducks appeared this week with the mother of 5 chicks swimming around. How long will they last as people watched on Sunday as kids in a boat chased them all over the lake trying to run the chicks over and the staff never saw anything. The boat have duel hulls so they can run   them over and kill them with the paddle blades

 

An obscure notice went up by Tipkinder bridge were no one will see it but what does it mean? how fast is fast how large is large how small is small It defines nothing total waste of money

Once again fishing gives problems spot the illegal activity above. This is often happening and highly illegal leaving a rod unattended and often its happens while the fisherman goes to relive himself in the bushes which is also illegal. The offence is worse in the park   as should a swan or wildlife be caught in an unattended line it could drag it all around the lake and suffer a lot of pain and suffering. It now closed season but that didnt stop 7 fishing anyway. Its up for review at the next friends meeting and so far there hasnt been a lot of fishing due to the weather etc so given all the problems once kids are off school they arnt going to cope

FRIENDS MEETING

Monday, 12^th May, 2014 6.00pm

At the Pickle Jar Lakeside Pavilion Queens Park, Crewe

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of Last Meeting

3. Matters Arising

4. Chairpersons Update

5. Burma Star Island

6. Events Diary

7. Queens Park Angling Review

8. ANTs Review

9. Queens Park – ‘vote’ re web page

Any Other Business

ANTS Good or BAD?

In the grass cutting Grand Prix the mower lost control in the drs zone and spun out of control on a corner and the race had to be stopped while the mower was retrieved

The boat are back on the lake and are very expensive costing up to £10 which is a lot just to row around a little island as they shouldn’t row down the bottom of the lake because of fishing. Some have gone down the bottom so they wont be very popular. Even after a couple of days problems are starting to come to light. The boats are being tied up on the island at night were the swan is nesting and as such if she leaves the nest she can only get back on at one spot and that is were they are putting the boats so she could loose the eggs as she cant get back. Also people are going close the the island were she is nesting which isn’t helping. Its frightening the ducks away and they are going down the bottom of the lake were they are fishing as such risk being hooked by fishermen.

One important concern is who are the people running the boats as they help young children in and out of the boat questions have been asked are these people CRB checked are they first aiders and are they life guards in case someone falls in?

Ants

There has been a lot of discussion about ANTS this week on social media etc as a result of a letter to the Chronicle complaining. ANTS was formed when the BBC highlighted the state of the park and Cllr Jones asked for backing from local people. He specifically stated that he didn’t expect people to pick up rubbish etc that’s was the councils role.

The ANTS was then formed and they held a meeting in the park it was clear from the start that they weren’t going to listen to what users had to say they had their own ideas and that was that. Most of the founders by their own admission hadn’t been to the park in 2 years so new nothing about it or what was going on or what people who visit daily felt about the park and they weren’t going to listen.

They started doing some bench repairs and brushing up some of the rubbish from the first day last August is still piled up near the café and now a lovely garden of nettles.

Many people then commented that one leader ran her own hairdressing company and as such was using ANTS to promote her company, another had political aspirations and was using it to further his political career. There were then problem with allegation of ANTS leaders coming in the park slagging off Friends and other people and verbally and emotionally abusing people. You don’t have to agree with what people say but defend their right to express their opinion the ANTS seem to take a Gestapo approach if you don’t agree with hem then you are trash an example is these comments about the writer of the letter to the paper given they know nothing about this person

Chris Curran I've now read the letter . I think the old duffer has neglected to take his medication writing some intolerable nonsense as that

Matthew Reen Pfffttt, I hope he has a bad Friday and the easter bunny doesn't visit him, loser!

This trend seems to have become the norm if you don’t agree with what they say then they become abusive on social media and threaten people who cant defend them selves. They have continued brushing up and cutting down shrubs etc in doing this they have destroyed the nesting areas that were used by wildlife so they have no were left to breed, damaged the heated floor in the bowling hut with varnish.

The council was applying to the lottery for a further 1.2 million pounds to do the paths it was then found out the cost was on £320,000 so the CEC decided they would pay for the path and as a result the lottery who were holding back £500,00 released the money giving the CEC a profit on the deal. The ANTS claim it was all there doing which it wasn’t.

The argument is now that by cleaning up they are just doing someone out of a job and the results only last for a day or so before its back to the state again as there are no full time people cleaning up. The only long term things they have done is the bench’s and planted the gulf war memorial area. The latter has had plants stolen and half the other are dying as you cant just put plants in when its very dry weather not water them and expect them to live.

that.

The grebe was back  again this week but was down the bottom of the lake and at risk from fishing as they dive and swim great distances under water were they can be caught in the line. They are a protected species and heavy fines if they are hurt

Spring

The friends meeting was held last week and the mins are here The interesting bits are they now have money to pay to restore thing that have been restored. They are also contemplating a web site which would evolve spending money raised for the park on it instead of providing nesting for wildlife or other useful things. Considering my two sites  have been running for over 5 years with 1,000 of photo and weekly reports wit hover a million hits whats the point of wasting money on another one? I had an offer from the scouts to help the ANTS and I passed this on to them over a week ago and they have not responded so I assume they dont want help?

With the few nice days we have had spring has burst into life the rabbits are out down Coronation walk. The swans are trying to nest on the island but have nothing to make a nest from. The wildlife group brought hay but no one would put it on the island for us

There a few lady birds about which is a good sign

The daffs have a great show of yellow down the main drive just right for people to take for Mother day I have seen people taking them as it is

The flower bed by the lodge is looking good and the path has now got stone laid its just waiting for the tarmac

Gardeners have been out with their new toy that grinds old tree stumps down they have done a lot by the lack. The question is will the mess be left like this or cleaned up when stumps were done last August they left the mess and its still there.

The Birds are coming

A air of Jays are back in the park this is the first siting of them this year

The lake has been swamped with gulls I have never seen so many they were every where

The first section of daffs is now out and soon we will have a full display

Once again the fishing raises its head as the rules state it must only be on pegs but here we are fishing in the little pool were there arnt any pegs. Thats not fishing you may as well put fish in a barrel. The bailiff was seen talking to them but took no action what was worse there were a load there the other week with 3 dogs off the lead and all the park management team walked past and did nothing

FRIENDS MEETING

Tuesday 11^th March, 2014   6.00pm

At the Pickle Jar Lakeside Pavilion Queens Park, Crewe

Agenda

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of Last Meeting

3. Matters Arising

4. Chairpersons Update
5. Web implications – Guest - Peter Sinclair
6.   Events Diary up-date
7.   ANTs Review
8.   Any Other Business

£7m spent but, years after, Queens Park still not finished

 

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor Brian Silvester is calling on the Cheshire East Council to get their act together over Queens Park Crewe.

He said," It is beyond belief that over £7m has been spent but, several years after, Queens Park is still not finished.(See below and attached) Basic requirements, like accessible footpaths to allow people to walk around the park, have not been provided. Many of the footpaths have not been finished off and the west end of the lake has had no footpaths for over two years. It is incredible that almost four times as much has been spent on consultants compared to the amount spent on footpaths.(See below)On one of the pavilions (which cost a total of £1.6m) there still isn't any downspout so the water wets you as you walk under the veranda.(See attached photo)

Since the ill conceived redundancy of the Park Wardens, there has been an increased level of lawlessness in the park. Kids on bikes, copious levels of litter, repeated criminal damage, motorbikes being ridden across the lake bridge and dog owners encouraging their dogs to attack waterfowl.

The park needs to be finished off properly and it needs to be policed efficiently. The original intention was to return the park to its former glory but urgent action is now needed if that is to be achieved."

Cllr Brian Silvester BA (Hons)

Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP Councillor

Cheshire East Council

Tel/fax 01270 567757

Twitter @CllrBSilvester

Interesting facts

From: BROUGHTON, George
Sent: 14 November 2013 15:59
To: SILVESTER, Brian (Councillor)
Cc: HARTWELL, Peter; MELLING, Kevin; EDWARDS, Gareth; DODD, Elaine
Subject: Queens Park

Dear Cllr Silvester,

Actual Expenditure to date on the Queens Park Project is £7,312,304.96.

two weeks later the cost from a FOI request are £7,599,277.00

From the Friends of QP mins Chris Lawton has re-measured the pathways and received some budget costing's – the value to complete works is around £500K, which is a big improvement on the £2mill figure quoted elsewhere. The cost via FOI is now £382,000.00 that's a few weeks later. So one may well ask why the discrepancy in these figures so the latest is £7.5 million with other things still want doing like coronation walk Burma Island

 

Above the bowls hut now has CCTV but if you look at the photo you can see that the water still falls on your head as there are no down spots. It was supposed to be a posh chain but years later its still not finished.

The tree cut down from startling damage are having there stumps removed but they seem to be struggling with it as they have tried for a couple of days without much progress.

The dangerous path at the bottom of the lake has been closed. It is deadly to walk on as there is water either side and its just a mud bath and this weather if it freezes your going in the lake and there is no life belts any more as they were removed not a good idea given they have allowed fishing should have been risk assessed.

Friends of Queens Park Democratic or Dictatorship

 

The Fiends constitution says

Aims and Objectives
To promote the restoration (i,) capturing Queens Park’s Victorian splendour, conservation and enhancement of Queens Park in Crewe, for the benefit of residents, visitors, wildlife and fish. We believe that this is not met if fishing goes ahead as the majority don’t want it and its clear its not in the interest of Wildlife.

represent the views of the residents of Crewe and other regions of the Cheshire East Council, in matters concerning the Park, This isn’t being met as the fishing wasn’t agreed by the committee and residents view were not sought on this matter. Its interesting that Cllr M Grant stated today she is having nothing to do with fishing, I hope she will then resign as a cllr as she is paid to put residents views forward the fact she comes in the park with her own dog never on a lead setting a fine example to others has been raised before.

The Committee
The ‘Core/Officers’ Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary, Fund Raising Officer, Treasurer and Parks Manager and any other such Officers as the Friends of the Park group may from time to time decide. Another big one as mins from the last meeting show that ANTS and Fishing are now part of this but FRIENDS were not given an option to vote on this so that is dictatorship not democracy. As the constitution hasn’t been followed in creating the fishing club it must be considered as null and void.

From mins

ANGLING
Several meeting have taken place with Angling Clubs. As a result, an independent QP
Angling Club is to be established by January 2014.
The group will be affiliated into the Friends Constitution – likewise the ANTs.
Activities’ will include Youth sessions and initiatives to care and improve the waters and wildlife/fowl.

Above who thinks this is safe the fishing pegs are in an area less than 2 ft wide that is passable so how can anyone safely walk around the lake?

Fishing is still illegal in the park but its started all ready click on the picture then look at the path you cant get past as its blocked by fishermen's rubbish

 

There has been no progress on the fishing and the council and other officials are refusing to say who agreed to the fishing club so we have put in a Freedom of Information request which by law they must answer. Things have got worse as the pegs have now gone in and its clear that they must be brain dead to put them were they have in the picture you can see they are on the muddy path less than 2 feet wide at the bottom of the lake. So once they fish there it will be impassable and dangerous to anyone who try’s. They have put some near the bridge and this is the main swim for all wildlife and therefore not safe for wildlife fortunately the Environmental Agency can take action on this as the park has had wildlife hooked before its considered a blackspot area and they can come in at anyone request and check the pegs don’t cover any swims and if they do they can remove the pegs. This can be changed at any time as new wildlife come in the park or start a nest.

The park and club must carry out a risk assessment and they demonstrate by the placement of the pegs that this isn’t the case as its clear its dangerous.

Risk assessment  standard practice   across most councils in the uk include no under 16 year old cant fish alone and must  have an adult present at all times,

RISK OF INFECTION (e.g. weils disease,  cross contamination from having touched bait, fish, discarded unused bait, water born algae). So there must be provision to wash hands.

  RISK OF INJURY: e.g. stings and bites from insects attracted to water and bait.  Stings from plants etc. Poisonous plants.  Therefore a registered first aider should be on site when anyone is fishing.  Life Belts are not present in the park so they should be provided in case of anyone falling in the lake.

They must have emergency procedure in place if wildlife get hooked up and display the phone number to contact if this happens if it’s a protected bird like Grebe or Swan a fine may ensue and its not clear if the club or the fishermen will be fined, Does the club have insurance is a good question? The procedure is to cut the line to prevent injury so will there be knives in the park as well?

Most clubs have rules like no keep nets, landing nets must be used, no rods to be left unattended, no blocking of footpaths, no ground bait and restriction on the bate used in case it poisons wildlife.

Queens Park Crewe Master Plan

 

Having talked to people who like myself visit the park everyday we have put together a master plan of what needs addressing in the park. Many people will visit the park once a week or once a month and can have different experiences depending on various factors. People who visit daily see a lot more and understand what goes on at all times of the day.

Restoration

Below the Monkey Hut restored a few months ago and the floor is now cracked and dangerous and its only time before kids pull it up

Everyone agrees that the park needs to be finished but there is little we can do about that as its down to the council do it but we could raise money from local companies to help. What is important that people get a say on what is done and don’t turn up one day and find something they disagree with. Some smaller projects could be done by ANTS but a lot its down to a partnership with the council.

Below the clock once again isnt working even after the restoration

Cleaning and look of the park.

This is an on going problem some caused by nature other caused by litter and the public. Its not a one off problem but a daily or weekly problem and needs work doing on a regular basis. Droppings for the geese can soon make a mess of paths and this can happen daily. Due to lack of staff this is being done by volunteers and ANTS did a wonderful job at their weekend clean up. The problem is getting people doing this on a regular basis as some times of the year it can get worse ie winter when there are lots of leaves and people don’t want to go out.

Below ANTS did a wonderful job of cleaning this path but 3 days later its a mess its almost a daily chore that wants doing

Projects

At the moment we don’t have set projects for anyone volunteering we need a list of project that people can work on so a volunteer can come along and choose from a large list of projects that match their skills and interest. These list need to be well designed for instance refurbishing the lodge gardens the list would have to include exactly what the plan is so people would know what they can and cant do this applies to all projects. We need a big list so we can use all the people who want to help from a single person to a organisation with lots of people. Without this list it will be a cock up. People may not be able to come for a day but happy to pop in and do an odd hour when it suits them we need to make this happen so people can come in know what to do and get any tools etc.

Problems

Virtually everyone that comes daily has the same comment on problems that are not being address. Dogs of f the lead, illegal and dangerous fishing , bikes and of coarse vandals. As there are no wardens this is a major problem for people as no one feels safe in the park. Dogs off the lead is a major problem and there are a few that come and set the dogs on wildlife and are yet to be caught, some are so frightened of dogs they have to leave the park if they see them off the lead.

Fishing is a major concern as its very dangerous kids ride bike with rods sticking out in front with line and hooks attached, they cast next to ducks and swans and two swans have suffer already if it happens to a duck I don’t think the RSPCA would come to the rescue and it would die a horribly death. 90% of those fishing will have no rod licence and it is illegal fines can be as much as £2,500. They leave litter and hooks block foot paths cast near people and make a mess everywhere after climbing fences and causing criminal damage. On Health and Safety grounds we can allow fishing even if controlled no one is going to be a bailiff and be there all day everyday so its not enforceable. As we often have Grebe on the lake which is a protect species along with the swans fishing is dangerous for them as they swim a long way underwater and even a good fisherman wouldn’t know it was there until it get hooked up. 99% of regulars are against fishing and the damage they cause.

Dogs off the lead

Everyday you can find dogs off the lead in the park many will let GSD roam around the children's play area off the lead, they will be off the lead near wildlife and often chase the wildlife and under new laws this can be considered a dangerous dog. If you come to the park with a young child you dont want any dog big or small running about near them even f they dont bite they can knock a child over and hurt it. If like me you own a dog which you keep on the lead you dont want loose dogs attacking your dog or coming up to it barking etc. This again is an accident waiting to happen. A dog control order is being proposed for the park but again with no one enforcing it wont do any good.

Bikes are another problem and one that causes confusion as its not clear if and were they can be ridden this needs to be made clear. Again sensible cyclists are not a problem but kids on BMX speeding down path and over the bridge are.

Wildlife

Most visitors to the park come in contact with the wildlife either to view them or bring the kids to feed them. Enough isn’t being done to help wildlife last year we managed to get a pallet by the island and the grebe bred ok this year there was none as a results their nest and eggs were destroyed by kids and they had no young. Suitable plants for nesting are needed by the island away from the kids and rams up to the islands so wildlife can get off and on with their young this is low cost to do and would benefit everyone. A lot of wildlife is subjected to people throwing at them or being chased by dogs off the lead.

Vandals

Vandalism everyone is against that of coarse and it needs to be stopped. New CCTV soon to be installed will go some way to addressing this but as the park may not be on the monitoring screens all the time so it may well be missed unless people can ring and tell the control room to turn the camera screen on. CCTV is no good unless someone can respond quickly to problems.

New Approach

New approach to the problems. A there are no wardens no one is stopping any of this and a warden approach can not always work. A new way to tackle this education its possible a few ladies with high vis jackets could be more effective this is not a sexist remark but a practical one often its young kids causing problems and a man approaching them in this day and age can give concern about paedophiles. Women can often deal with the children better being mother them selves and often if women with a baby approaches a dog owner and explains she is frightened for her child as the dog is loose will be more effective. In stead of a warden approach its an educational approach the same applies to people dropping litter which then reduces the time needed cleaning up.

At the present time these problems are not being addressed and to get the park back to its formal glory need a total approach to the whole problem not just some of the problems. As people see improvements and more people use the park so the problems ill reduce as lots of people in the park helps to reduce vandals as they don’t like lots of people about. Its really not new it goes back to the old days when the communities would police its self as there was always some stern granny who would tell kids off and would be supported by other people.