In Inane County Council

At this very minute Amey on the instructions of the County Council are digging up perfectly good cobbles only to stop work at the bank corner at Union Street and leave the mess of uneven cobbles below.

The Amey contractor agrees that the County Council are Crazy.

This video has already attracted 120 viewings in a few days - something I've never witness before which shows there's a lot of interest.

So why has the press written nothing yet?

Is this why we need this blog?



Meanwhile we foot the bill and put up with the inconvenience and the killing off of trade on our High Street.

Here's the video I made six weeks ago:

Value for money

What do people think of the way our £100,000 are being spent in repairing the cobbles on Market Street?

On the positive side :

1. The quality of work is high.

2. They are using recommended materials and as far as I'm aware the good procedures similar to those used by Preston Council when they repair setts.

This includes the use of "Ulracrete Flowpoint" - recommended by Preston.

3. They have started further up Market Street than I expected , thus catching some severe depressins that attracted polls of water and hnce deterioration.

On the down side:

1. Work is going very slowly

2. Some shopkeepers who work hard and hence have a thriving/good business, are not impressed with the poor work ethic -starting work late, leaving early - standing around in groups for what appear long times chatting.

This is our chance to see the workings of local government at close quatres - you can even sit, have a coffee and watch the action outside!

It's a time when The County Council can impress us or still leave a nasty taste in our mouths.

A chance for IT Shaw our local firm working with Amey to impress us with the standard and speed of their work.

As you might expect  - and you might like to warn them  - I'm filming them from time to time and will be putting the result on Youtube so that these firms can attract further contracts - or otherwise. If you keep close tabs on the work you can judge for yourself whether my future comments are appropriate.

Lastly, its a chance for James Airey and Peter Hornby our two County Councillors to show that they are 'on the ball' and well aware of what is happening giving praise and critism where appropriate.

Repairs of the cobbles in Ulverston

It's been announced that work will begin on repairing the cobbles in Market Street this next Monday in what is called a £100,000 revamp.

But will we be happy with the result?

I doubt it - rather it will be regarded as an opportunity missed as large sections of the street will be left untouched and only part of the problem dealt with.

Furthermore we will be apprehensive about the quality of the work done and the materials used.


I went out this morning and made this video to give past information on this topic.



Last year I briefed County Cllr James Airey on my views of what should be done.

The information I gave was based on the numerous communications I've had with United Utilities, the Highways Department of CCC and information shared by the engineers at Preston as to how they repair and install cobbles (or Setts) in their city. Both United Utilities and the People at Preston have been most helpful.

I'm having a meeting with James Airey this next Tuesday as previous attempts to get together have failed.

I hope to be able to report back on what and how the work is to be carried out. I shall be watching with great interest!

Here is the helpful information I was sent from Preston in 2008 (which was passed on the James Airey).

Preston clearly take great care in supervising the work done by contractors.

Will CCC show the same degree of dilegence?

Their supervision of the work done by contractors in the past has been appalling. With a change at the top of the local department of highways and close monitoring from our new councillors - will we achieve quality work and value for money? . . . .

I hope that CCC will enforce high standards and be using Ultracrete Flowpoint to seal between the cobbles as recommended below:


From: "Ohanlon, Peter"
Sent: Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 13:35:08
Subject: Reinstatement of setts

Reinstatement of setts.
 
Dear Mr. Dellow,
                        Your e-mail was finally sent to me as I deal with all the utility reinstatements in the Preston area.
 
Appearances in Preston may be deceptive, because it is a constant battle with the utilities to achieve a satisfactory standard to sett reinstatements after excavations. It is obvious that the utilities do not have street masons trained to a sufficient degree to reinstate setts correctly. It is therefore a matter of constant supervision of the method used by the reinstators to ensure:
 
a)       that they are aware of the correct method of reconstruction
b)       that they follow the existing bonding / pattern as required
c)       that they use the correct type of sett (size, colour, material )
d)       that they follow the correct method of pointing the setts with the correct colour of ultracrete flowpoint.

In many cases, if we have not been present to ensure the required standard is adhered to, the setts have to be broken out and relaid in the correct manner. This is repeated until the setts are satisfactory. Very rarely are they satisfactory in the first instance.

The most recent setts reinstatement that I have dealt with was a utility trench 60m. long x 1.5m. wide. Despite my efforts to explain how to relay this trench I had to insist on it being re-laid four times until it was satisfactory. This was over a period of 6 months but the end result was worth the perseverance. Eventually the sub – contractor employed two operatives who were experienced in laying setts and with supervision and explanation they were able to finally achieve a satisfactory result. They were also given the time to do the work correctly; being paid on ‘day rate’ rather than on a price per m2. ( As were the the previous operatives ). Laying setts is a time consuming operation which cannot be rushed if a good result is required. Too often the reinstator / sub-contractor allows unqualified and inexperienced operatives to try to relay the setts hoping that their work will be satisfactory enough for them to “ get away with it “.

Technically we use the LCC Standard Details for Highway Works for the laying of setts. This involves using 100 – 150mm of lean mix concrete then a 25mm. layer of sand/cement mortar. One innovation that has been introduced is that we require the joints to be filled for at least a 50mm. depth, from the top of the sett, with a product called Ultracrete Flowpoint. This is a pre-mixed dry grout that only requires the addition of water on site.. This can then be poured neatly into the joints. It is a rapid setting grout that allows for early trafficking of the road, has exceptional bond strength and has built-in shrinkage compensation. It also dispenses with the need of using a bitumen sealant to the surface of the joints. We now specify the use of Flowpoint on all sett paving in Preston .

I hope this information is of use to you and if I can be of any further help or if you have any further queries please contact me by e-mail.

                        Regards,

                                    Peter O’Hanlon

                                    Senior Technician

                                    Street Works

                                    LCC. Preston Area

                                  

Planters in the Square looking good again

Planters freshly replanted last Saturday . Looking promising - Wallflowers perhaps.

Planters at Gill Banks

 Looking good as well.

The sad looking tubs on the Market Square.

The story behind this is that that the plants have a fungal disease that thrives in warm humid conditions. Nothing can be done to save them.

It seems that both the tubs and the plants have been added to the square by Roger Chattaway of the Farmers Arms. So he is being  generous and I'm told would be the first person to be concerned about the state of the plants.

I suggest that they need yanking out now and replacing soon.

Market Square - Three things of concern

Do they bother you?

First the A frame advertising in amongst the attractive tubs of flowers.

Murray's claim that they need the advertising.

Well I won't be going in if I can avoid it.

Second , the full waste bin. Where is the next lot going?

Lastly the thoughtlessly parked bike.



Next day:

The bin has been emptied but a fresh bag has been deposited next to it full of newspapers and beer cans. This kind of thing is becoming more common. I emptied the contents into the bin - why is it coming here in the first place?

"Everyone else is doing it" -  Is this sign also unacceptable?

They are springing up all over our pavements.

For me the case is different as a useful car park is being indicated. The pavement not overused.

Do we need some rules?

The Monday Interview - The Egg Man introduced by David Gardner

David talks about the future of Ulverston Market in this last part of an impressive interview.



Next week we'll have the first part of David's interview. We all think of David as being a local man - well the next town at least - but just how far does he come:

from 10 miles; 20 miles; 40; 80; or maybe even 160 miles away ? You may be surprised!

Now, a little about someone who has marketing flare though some might think his eggs aren't quite what they appear- brown they certainly are.




To see our other Monday Interviews click here or on the "interview" label below.

New creative additions to our market

This lovely bright addition to the Thursday Market sells olives.

And this great idea - A Hen hut on wheels selling eggs at 30 for £1.50

What a bargain!

Next thing we'll have chickens feeding from seed in between the cobbles!

Rubbish in our main street

And No, It's got nothing to do with "Your Move"

What message does this kind of thing give to our tourists?

Laying setts in The Gill

Skip to 1 minute 20 seconds to see skilled workers producing an excellent result.

Can we ever expect the county council to ensure workmanship of this quality and speed?

Can you imagine the contractors authorised by them to work in this way?

I'm sure that the use of setts is being totally mismanaged.

Don't we have many skilled drystone wallers who could do this work well and quickly?

The quick judgement in choosing the right sett to fit in will produce a secure surface that will bind together and last for years and give years of enjoyment too. Partially sighted people can enjoy the adventure of traversing a textured surface that can be relatively hazard free. Let's live a little!

Our Monday morning interview - Mr Chirpy

Each week, someone from Ulverston will appear here.

Here's our first one - a little early!

Don't we all look forward to seeing him here every Thursday and Saturday Market Day?

Market Stall activity

The stall in the afternoon



A little sun and threatening sky.



Today was a tough day for stall holders. A couple of downpours. We got a 30% reduction on the cost of the pitch which helped.

The home made cake stall next to me, did well! Some effort is being made to get this local family venture a pitch on Saturday. The traders are very much in favour - the more the better.

I got little business but some great chats and explored a new design!

Saturday in Gill Banks is looking increasingly popular and we'll be ready for a lot of people welcoming the chance to be creative - extra tables and equipment. All set for making ceramic spike covers! Weather still promising!

There's now a picnic table there for use!

Judith Pickthall must be congratulated

It is extremely rare that a Cllr takes the initiative to get something done for the town.

But here is someone who has.

Unlike our Mayor, Norman Bishop-Rowe, who puts the brakes on intiatives, Judith has seen the importance to the town of the two outside markets.

The more the town rescues the initiative on Ulverston matters out of the hands of a failing SLDC and County Council the better.

As people have already pointed out, the issue of the town's parking policy is equally, or even more important and needs removing out of the clutches of both councils.

The scandal of the near empty Stockbridge Lane car park is a blot on our Town Councils lack of initiative in sorting out an extremely important issue.

Well done Judith, now lets take on the Parking problems in the town. The Market needs this sorted.

Busking on the Market Square Saturday 31 Jan 2009

Shed on the Roof entertain the 'crowds'!



Came across this group after my visit to Poppies where we had a good discussion of how to get groups going in different parts of Ulverston. Today the focus was on the area around Ainslie/Burlington/Casson streets !

The feeling was that a group focuses on a particular issue and gets to work - picking up litter for example.

Waiting to see what other people want to happen!

Meanwhile the busking is great!

Market Street Survey

Safe on Market Street?

Comments from people interviewed:

One person was cautious about the uneven cobbles with the push chair. The cobbles can turn the wheel over.

A woman with two toddlers had a problem with cars coming down New Market St towards the junction with Market Street. In Market Street the buggy was difficult to manage with the narrow pavements


Another member of the public stated that cars come quickly down New Market Street to this junction. This was found to be intimidating. Double parking on New Market Street gives problems with the wheel- chair also the narrow pavement means going into the road with the wheel chair

A couple visiting Ulverston were walking down Market Street with a dog. They were from Oxfordshire. They were held up every time they met a pushchair because the pavement was too narrow. They waited to avoid the dog having to walk in the road.

A woman with a toddler stated that there was a problem with cars down New Market St. swerving and going too fast. With the buggy she found the narrow pavements to be a problem

10mph Home Zones

Examples of where these are operating