Winter moves in

The work continues this week on Burma Island with the soil and wall being removed and lots of cages being built at the front. What they are for I dont know I expect we will find out in time I assume some sort of template for the bridges.

There has been a lot of work going on and lets hope the lake will be open next March

With November the park shows its other side with Autumn color and the gardeners have come up trumps with a fine pansy display. It just goes to show no matter what time of year the gardeners put on a fine display for us and there is always something to see.


The ducks are not being left out as people are still feeding them even as winter approaches and the fallen leaves make a wonderful carpet of yellow

Queens Park Tour

The first meeting of the Friends of Queens Park which has taken over from the Stakeholder took place on Tuesday night with a trip around the park to see the progress led by Ian Bright, from EBM consultants. A lot turned up despite the bad weather and darkness.



We were shown the new roadway being built by the lake as a temporary measure so heavy machinery can move about the park such as diggers and cranes.


A lot of work has been done on Burma Island and half of the island has been removed so it can be rebuilt. All the islands will need most of the surrounding brick work removed and rebuilt to prevent collapse


We were then shown Broad walk and the band stand. Most of the path is full of heavy machinery and work has been done on the main bridge which will span the valley to Coronation Walk. The heavy wooden bridge will be supported by a large arch and this time it will be level with steps on one side and a disabled ramp on the other so people can get to Coronation Walk. It will all be replanted.


Its hoped the new bridges will arrive in January- February and will then be put in place with huge cranes as the bridge will have to come in large pieces. It will be major work to get these cranes into confined spaces but it is all planned. The lake area should be open by March and the paths will be rebuilt as a temporary measure. In the future the paths will have to be closed so new ones can be built once all the work has been done. Its hoped the lake will have both boats and fishing once again. There is problem with having Carp in the lake but with a new filtering system its hoped this can be done

Burma Island

Work on the lake has been mostly about Burma Island this week with the surrounding brickwork knocked down and the soil removed ready for a rebuild.

Half of the island has gone and will be replaced along with new brick work around the island. All the islands have to have the surrounding brickwork redone before they collapse into the lake

Big stink at the Queens Park

There was a big stink at the Queens park today as all the flowers in the main drive were removed and tons of new soil and manure were delivered ready for next years growth. So we should have some good displays next year but in the mean time the park has some good healthy smells




Down at the lake work was being done on Burma Island and down by the sluice gates. Wrekins display boards were being removed at long last. So people can now go down to the park and see some action at last. Its been a frustrating time for all and tempers have frayed with no work since early this year. But at last we can see work being done. Check back for updates.

Finally dont forget the next meeting
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time:
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Location:
Queens Park Cafe, Crewe for a walk around the park ALL welcome

Queens Park Work Started at Last

The work on the bandstand is progressing and as you can see they are working on the roof at the moment



Down on the lake after waiting for several weeks for the new contractor to start work this week we have seen some action. Until now most of the work has been moving offices and tools and surveying the lake. But this week we have seen diggers out and work on the small bridge near the sluice gates so it hoped there will be lots of action in the coming weeks and we will keep you up to date with any action as it happens. People have been frustrated by the delays but now hopefully its full steam ahead

Queens Park Update Sept 29th 09

The new contractor has taken over the lake refurbishment and everyone is disappointed they cant see any visible signs of action after a week. The Wrekin signs are still in place and it was hoped they would have been removed by now.

Over on Facebook a group of over a 1,200 has formed complaining about the park. This follows reports in the local paper of the state of the play area which was highlighted at the Stack holders meeting. To give everyone time the next meeting which will be the first for the Friends of the Park is on at Queens Park Cafe, Crewe
Tuesday, October 20 at 4:00pm and if everyone turns up from Facebook the park will be full. It promises to be a lively meeting with complaints about the elections of officers for the friends of the park as there was no vote taken just a proposer and seconder




There has been no work visible on site for the bandstand but much of this work is being done off site and its still on track to finish in December 2009



The final major part of the railings took place last week and now all the major work is done its just down to little bits left to be done which are waiting on other projects

Queens Park Chairman's Report by Councillor Roy Cartlidge

Queens Park Restoration Project Stakeholders Meeting No 14 Chairman's Report by Councillor Roy Cartlidge Date 15th of September 2009.


Introduction:


It's seems a very long time since our last meeting 8th of July to be precise but I hope you will agree with me it's been worth it, I say that because of all the bad publicity of the past I now believe we have turned a new chapter on the restoration front.
The long wait has given time for the outstanding works to be organised and contracts to be signed and the works although very much behind the scenes work has been carried-out on the following: Culvert, landscaping works and railing base at Victoria Ave along with work to restore the bandstand on site this was carried out without any problems for our resident bats population.


All this was noted on a walkabout with officers concerned and feel confident that the project is once again back on track for a grand opening ceremony sometime I hope in the late summer 2011 this needs further discussion along with the formation of a new Friends Group which hopefully take over the role of community consultation on the Park and associated issues like events and visitor support.
The only fly in the ointment is the re-jigging of the proposed design of the park buildings but I have been assured that this was necessary to make sure that the works would be carried out on time and to budget so a saving here and there has helped in ensuring that our park is well on the way to completion.


Other Issues:
The works are being carried out in a structured way to ensure that damage to existing infrastructure is not damaged by the heavy machinery the bridges are key element in this only when they are in place can the other associated work be started like the coronation walk landscaping, Lake Works, sluice gates/overflow along with clock tower / Boer War Memorial and building construction works commences on the new cafeteria, bowling pavilion. The depot building, I believe this is where the compromise on cost and build quality was made, so not the purpose built depot we were promised but a utilisation of one of the Lodges. The West & East Lodges are now going to be used for day to day running of the park with administration, staff accommodation and a far better purpose served than residential lettings. An unforeseen benefit re the loss of the Depot build is that it leave more space for Park use.


Friends Group:
I wish them well for the future and only good work and dedication can be expected from them to put the public and visitors first and keep a sense of community within our fine Victorian parkland.
Grand Reopening Ceremony:
I hope we can discuss this further at tonight's meeting I have raised this with the leadership of the Council already, A Prom in the Park event in the evening,
And a Victorian theme throughout the day hot air balloons, steam fair and attractions?
Yes that is what it could be like it remains to be seen whether or not it will! It's really down to you who will be present at the meeting to follow this through to its conclusion.


Connect2 Cycle Way:
This project is due to start at the Crewe end of the route this will involve work around the boundary of the park in Queens Park Drive areas and new car park construction associated with it and installation of road safety infrastructure this is to start early 2010 and a lot of work must be completed before March or no later than April around this particular part of the route this will ensure that it will not compromise the works or progress of the park works and in fact help to enhance the overall scheme to improve a grot spot just outside one of the park entrances to the west. The final completion date of the entire route given by Sustrans as 2013 Crewe to Nantwich.
The Friends Group need to be on the stakeholders/steering group for this contact:
Mr Peter Foster
North West Regional Director
Sustrans
St Pauls Centre
Hightown
Crewe CW1 3BY
For further information.
Conclusion:
Finally I would like to thank everyone who has attended the stakeholders meetings in the past and present, whatever your views differing or otherwise you have made a contribution to the success of the park and we have all come along way since the C&NBC days we can all now hopefully see the end product in sight.
Thanks to the officers and staff of the park and councils past and present for their professionalism in carrying out their duties to such a high degree under such difficult conditions.
End

Queens Park Stakeholders final meeting

The last Stakeholder meeting took place at the Queens Park Yesterday Tuesday 15th September. It was a long meeting going on from 6 o’clock to 8 o’clock with a good turn out. So much was discussed but the main points were.

The first was the election for officers for the new Friends of the Queens Park which will now take over from the Stakeholders and will develop the park and generally see the park through the restoration and beyond. Anyone who want to join and its open to everyone should contact
Elaine Dodd
Queens Park Manager
Tel: 01270 537896.

The second most important item which everyone wants to know is the new contractor is Tolent Construction and there website is http://www.tolent.co.uk/. The officers explained that lots of checks and safeguards were in place to ensure they didn’t fail us like Wrekin did. There are penalty clauses and deposits to ensure the work is done correctly and on time. They should be on site by next week and we hope we can see some action very soon; they will be doing the bridges, lake etc.


We then had a slide show of the work that had been done so far which included the work already done on the lake with part of the wall around the lake already done along with footing for the bridges etc. The banking along Victoria Ave is finished with a smoother transition to Coronation Walk and in doing this a lot of the mud from by the bandstand has been moved and the area cleared. Other work was the band stand which is on the main site here .

Concern was expressed at the state of the child play area and it was planned this would be one of the last things done as it would be getting a lot of traffic with other work. They did promise to relook at this due to the complaints about the area and maybe this can be brought forward.

Plans are being drawn up for the pavilion, bowling green and the lodges and should be available at the next meeting. The lodges will be used for park admin and possibly for education purposes which may contain a mini museum showing the history of the park. The current occupant of the east lodge is leaving soon after being there over 40 years.

It was hoped a major event could be organized for a grand opening of the park in may 2011 and this would be a large scale event to promote the park

Queens Park Summer 2009

QUEENS PARK RESTORATION PROJECT


The next Stakeholder Meeting No 14
15th September 2009 at 6pm
at Queens Park Cafe, Crewe

AGENDA

1. Apologies

2. Minutes of the last Meeting

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes

4. ‘Friends of Queens Park’ - establishment of Constitution and Officers Elections:

Positions
* Chairperson
* Secretary
* Fund Raising Officer
- Nominations are welcome at meeting

5. Chairman’s Report

6. Buildings Design Update and Recommendations –
by -
Eric Briggs, EBM Consultants
Ian Bright, SBS Architects
Albert Bertram, Bertram Hyde

9. Any Other Business


Everyone is welcome so come along and find out whats happening
Pictures of the Queens Park with the summer beding at its best September 2009