Dear Sir,

(1) COBBLERS HALL SUDS NATURE

RESERVE VIEWING PLATFORM

The idea for a viewing platform onto the Cobblers Hall SUDS Nature Reserve was first suggested in 2016, when the three County Councillors for the area were Mike Dixon, Joan Gray and myself. After the 2017 elections, although two new Councillors (Paul Howell and Scott Durham) were elected, they very kindly agreed to support the proposal.

However, due to an omission in the spec, the platform was built with no wire fencing attached to the wooden structure as we had wanted, and therefore offered almost open access into the Nature Reserve. I therefore gave instructions for Heras fencing to be secured across the mouth of the viewing area.

Since then, discussions have taken place between three DCC departments about how the platform might best be made safe, and who should pay for the work. These discussions dragged on unacceptably long, so, on 5 September, I arranged a meeting between myself, DCC officers and Cllr Paul Howell. There it was agreed what work was needed (a wire fence attached to the inside of the platform), and the three councillors offered to meet the cost out of our local grants budgets.

We have received an acceptable estimate, and are asking that the work be done as quickly as possible when the grant has been authorised.

(2) MIDDRIDGE LANE ROAD CLOSURE

I, and a number of my County Councillor colleagues, tried to get this road closure changed, and I have spoken out in the press against its damaging effects, particularly for the people of Middridge.

DCC is offering a replacement taxi service (details here: bit.ly/ROADWORKS), so well done DCC, but this really should never have happened, and I have registered a complaint with the officers. The problem has been significantly worsened by the fact that Darlington Council has allowed roadworks on School Aycliffe Lane at the same time.

DCC is currently consulting on a Street Works Permit Scheme, which will require developers to seek permission and pay a fee before they can begin roadworks, and which will allow the authority to apply conditions, and tough penalties if the conditions are not met.

I would encourage everyone to respond to the consultation, if only to email streetworkspermitscheme@durham.gov.uk and say “I agree”.

Cllr John D Clare

(Aycliffe North & Middridge)