Fairford Leys

Welcome to the Letters page. Use it to make general comments about Fairford Leys, share your ideas for new groups and get-togethers, or suggest ways in which we can work to make this an even better place to live. Click here to send your letter.

Maybe I'm alone in thinking this (and please do challenge me if you disagree), but where is the community spirit on Fairford Leys?

Don't get me wrong - I must acknowledge that people in the village are friendly folk, but I was out and about yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and noticed that the estate was pretty much asleep! Nobody was around - not even mowing the lawn or washing the car. No children could be heard playing, the 1 or 2 play areas I passed were desserted, nobody was even around to say 'hello' to!

I'm not originally from the area and actually have felt this way since I moved here. As an out of towner I don't know people and actually it would be great to get to know some people. But how can I when I work full time away from FL and when I am around I'm one of not very many? Maybe a pub would help, but does anybody else feel the same way? Would readers consider there being any value in setting up more social events in FL?

I don't want to criticise the people or the area but I do hope this letter prompts some discussion. And while you're at it, let me know if you're looking to make friends in FL!

BURGLARIES

26/08/2008
Just to inform you all that there has been car burglaries in Portman Mews also. Remove everything, no matter how small, or how aggravating it is each evening. Maybe if there's nothing worth pinching they will stop targeting our cars's and go away!
LA

15/08/2008
Unfortunately me and my family were the victim of burglary on Fairford Leys last night. We had our car window smashed and the belongings of our boot (including valuable and personal stuff) stolen. This is very upsetting and frustrating. I therefore urge anyone else on Fairford leys to be extra, extra vigilant and careful. I suspect that we are all a little complacent as we feel that we live in a nice and safe area. This is a hard lesson to learn. We are not immune from the scum that unfortunately prey amongst us. Worse still I suspect that they are not local opportunists - more likely a professional gang that make a living from their activity.
Wouldn't it be nice to get hold of them..........................................

19/07/2008
I've heard reports of burglaries on Fairford Leys, why haven't you reported of these on the website? I feel this is of great importance and residents should be made aware of this ASAP
Nicki

We can certainly report this type of information on the site if we are informed. This is the first e-mail we have had regarding this particular subject - if anyone is able to supply any more information about how these occured, in what areas of FL and anything more helpful, we would be happy to publish it.

YELLOW LINES- FINALLY!! But.....

As published on Coldharbour Parish Council web site:
The Parish Council has been working with Thames Valley Police to address the issues and concerns raised by Fairford Leys residents. A public meeting was held as part of the Neighbourhood Policing initiative to enable local residents to voice their concerns. Of all the issues raised, the top priority was inconsiderate / illegal parking. One of the main areas affected is Hampden Square.
A Neighbourhood Action Group has been formed in conjunction with Thames Valley Police, AVDC, the Parish Council and representatives of the residents of Fairford Leys to help resolve the issues raised at the public meeting, and this includes parking problems.
The Police Community Support Officer has been monitoring Fairford Leys on a regular basis, to look for those people who may be parking dangerously or in a manner considered illegal or inconsiderate. Notices are given, by either the PCSO or the Clerk to the Parish Council, to people to ask them to respect the concerns raised by local residents and to inform them that continuing to park their vehicle in such a manner may render them liable for a non-endorsable fixed penalty notice of £30.

There is still a problem, even though many notices have been issued! 8 x £30 non-endorsable fixed penatly tickets have been issued so far and the parish council has given its full support to the police to continue issuing further tickets on a regular basis.
View article >

03/08/08
What an absolute shocker Lou's letter is (11/07/08, below). So, I haven't bought a home but choose to rent instead. Good job I have a forelock to tug as I pass Lou's house..., making sure I don't park outside her house (on the highway, perfectly legally). I suppose as a tenant, I don't have an over inflated opinion of myself and believe I own the Queen's highway.
Maybe the community spirit would be enhanced if we all accepted each other for who we are, rather than setting up barriers between Them home owners and Us tenants.
Incidentally, us tenants, or indeed anyone, can park on any road in this country as long as it is legal and safe. Lou needs to remember this so she can avoid any further barrages of abuse. Maybe if all the parking outside the flats on Pine Street hadn't been taken away by double yellow lines then we wouldn't have to park outside Lou's house. It is all the more frustrating as the car owners who regularly parked opposite other cars and blocked the road were those who had driveways and garages to park in.

03/08/08
I would just like to say we have the same problem with people parking right outside our house. We live near the school and some parents are too lazy to walk their kids to school and have no consideration for others.
My husband and my daughter work odd hours and therefore come home at different times of the day. When they come home around 3pm sometimes they can't park outside their own house because of parents parking there.
Would all parents have some consideration for others...
Sarah

20/07/08
I spoke to a couple of PCSO’s and was told that although they can fine someone if they park dangerously- on a bend etc...., they are not allowed to fine anyone for actually parking on the lines! Only a traffic warden, employed by the council, can do that. The council have obviously approved the lines but not bothered to employ someone full time (unless it the invisible traffic warden!) and if there are not enough complaints made within 18 mths from when they first went down then apparently the lines can be taken away......
So the moral of the story is...start writing letters and spread the word or better still go to the meetings on the first thurs of the mth and voice our concerns– unless we want to be always stuck in a queue because some t**t parked opposite the bus stop and the bus has arrived or creep slowly around the village for fear of a head on collision.........which is has happened many times already!!!!

11/07/08
I sympathise with any local resident who suffers from cars being parked outside their homes. I myself was subject to a barrage of abuse when I dared to stop one non-resident parking her BMW up on the curb outside my home on Sandhill Way, whilst she went 'to visit her sister'. The car was duly removed but with a loud honk of her horn and more abuse. I think a permit style system would perhaps alleviate some of the issues, but as a general plea - please non-residents do not park your cars outside our homes!
As a resident, I am also concerned by the numbing of lettings on the estate. In the current property climate it is no surprise, but I wish local estate agents would act responsibly when letting out properties. I think too many estate agents are after a quick buck, and do not stipulate the number of allocated parking spaces houses and flats have, you can then end up with a property overloaded with cars, because a house is rented out on a 'room by room' basis, which I believe for a residential family estate is wrong. Sorry to moan but...
Lou.

08/07/08
Well, it's a definite improvement having the double yellow lines around Fairford Leys, however as many other residents have pointed out - who is there to enforce them?

I live on Great Meadow Way and these new lines haven't been put in place on the main corner where everybody parks on the left hand side, therefore reducing the road to a single carriage way. I've already seen many accidents on this corner by the Electricity Junction box and greenery - why didn't they continue the yellow lines around this corner??

Hopefully the Parish Council will realise their errors, put the Yellow lines where they're meant to be and start enforcing them moving forward........

30/07/08
To the person who suggested that someone displaying a disabled badge is not entitled to park on double yellow lines - you are wrong! A disabled badge holder can park on double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, however as a disabled person myself I always park in the car park behind the shops as I consider it an obstruction to park so near to a bus stop and a blind bend.

28/06/08
I for one was very glad indeed to see the yellow lines going down recently, although some people here make a very good point about enforcing them - no restriction is any good if it is not enforced. I understand it is the responsibility of AVDC so we need to hassle them about enforcement. I totally agree with the comments about the lines not extending far enough around some fo the junctions - they need to be extended along Great Meadow Way opposite Hickman Street, as inconsiderate people still park there because they are too lazy to park where they are supposed to and walk to their houses. This results in them completely blocking lines of vision for approaching drivers around the bend.
I do not agree with those who say the yellow lines restrict everyone - no they don't. They only restrict those people who seem to want to park in dangerous places, i.e. on road bends, opposite the bus stop in Hampden Square etc. Every dwelling on FL was planned with sufficient parking - people use their garages for storage now rather than parking (which incidentally, is contrary to one of the conditions attached to the original planning permission which says that garages should be reserved for parking only; but that's another point) - this results in people wanting to park on the roads instead, which is not only dangerous but unsightly. Also, to argue that parked cars reduce speeds would be very bad planning indeed for a new development. There are plenty of measures to reduce speed, and allowing parked cars is not one of them. Parked cars cause danger, with children running out behind them and they block vision on bends, as highlighted above.
Mike

25/06/08
I note with interest that the double yellow lines appeared around the estate this week. I think many residents thought it would take longer than it did for the Council to get the lines painted.
What I am surprised at, though, are the amount of drivers still willing to risk a fine by flouting the rules as they park on the lines whilst they drop into the Co-Op or into one of the growing number of fast food outlets we seem to need [?]
I wonder how many fines it will take before drivers take the hint and start using the free car park behind the Co-Op, or start using their designated spaces at home to park their cars?
One thing has improved vastly though, and that's the double 'S' bend up by the gym; we're now able to get through there without risking a head-on with another car coming the other way.
Regards,

25/06/08
I am glad to see at last we have double yellow lines, but would like to
enquire if people will be issued tickets if they park on them, as I have
seen several cars parked outside the co op and opposite the bus stop and
when I challenged one driver he shrugged his shoulders and said he was just
going in to get a drink.
Its all very well having them but penalties have got to be imposed for
people to take any notice of them.
Thank you
Nikki

23/06/08
Double yellow lines-what a joke!!. They are there only a week yet who is there to enforce them. I pointed them out to a man today who not only parked on them but also opposite the bus stop- I was laughed at and told where to go....and why not if he can get away with it? And what about great meadow way? They were put on the corner but only half of that corner so people can still park and block the sight of oncoming traffic. And today I saw someone outside the dentist with a big disabled badge displayed inside – are they immune to double yellow lines also? Again – why not if they can get away with it.....
Its an absolute waste of time and money putting them down if there is no one there to stamp a ticket on the people who consider it their right to park where they want. It makes me very very cross.....if no one can be bothered then give me the authority and i’ll do it myself!

17/06/08
So…I arrived home from work today to find the double yellows lines had been put down. A solution to our problem of getting on and off our drive has been given to us…. We live opposite Cannons and were fed up of not being able to get our cars out without damaging them.
However I am sitting here watching cars come and park on the double yellows, some being left for long periods of time…..one car has been here for the last 4 hours and still no penalty!
The double Yellow lines can only be as effective as those who police and patrol them! PCSO’s and the police need to be involved in order for these to be enforced.

16/06/08
Now the markings have gone down in preparation for yellow lining Pine Street, all I can say is the restrictions are disproportionate to the benefits. Practically all of Pine Street will have yellow lines. There is not enough parking available as it is, and this will make matters worse, pushing the problem elsewhere and into other parts of the village. Before the plans were published, I thought yellow lines on one side of Pine Street and around junctions was a sensible measure to ensure free passage for the buses and delivery vehicles. They have now made it a car free zone, a measure I think will alienate the residents who actually live here.
The removal of parking will inevitably increase the speed of traffic along Pine Street. According to the existing traffic signs on Coldharbour Way, the speed limit along here is a child unfriendly 40mph. It is the parked cars which actually make the street safer. What now - speed humps?
I live in one of the flats to the North of Pine Street. I have elderly relatives who will now have difficulty visiting me as they cannot park near my home. It was bad enough when bollards were put across the footpath stopping access for wheelchairs, now they will have to walk 200 yards from the nearest parking.
As a final note, it is worth noting this is an "experimental restriction". Objections must be received by Bucks Council within six months from now, even though the yellow lines will be in place for a minimum of 18 months. This is a back door method of implementing these restrictions without the proper consultation.
Rob

09/03/2008
Is there anyone else out there who, like me, does not agree with the yellow lines? I know some people park irresponsibly but why penalise everyone. I also note from the Codharbour news that traffic wardens are to patrol the area and issue fines. Do we really want this? We are an urban village not a town centre.
Parked cars slow the traffic. Yellow lines will clear the roads for irresponsible drivers to speed.
I also feel very offronted that we have not been consulted formally as promised. Can we stop this or have at least consult with those who will be affected?
Chri

11/03/2008
Not sure I understand what an 'urban village' is. FL is just a decent estate with good facilities and lots of Victorian-looking lamp posts. Anyway, I digress. On balance, I reckon the yellow lines are worth a try. I can see how it can be interpretted as restricting the many to target the few, but that applies to loads of other things in life (taxes on fags 'n booze). If it means pedestrians can actually walk on the paths round FL unobsructed then it's worth it. If you're not convinced by that, suppose that one badly parked car stops a Silver Rider from picking up 5-10 people from round FL - whacking down some double yellows to stop that one car owner being a fool has a disproportionate benefit.
Andrew

16/04/2008
My view is to compromise. Obviously the yellow lines will effects several properties that sit directly on that road, but from what I have seen since I have moved to FL, the area is getting worse for parking on the main street and that is why people are pushing the limits and causing the problems that have resulted in the discussions for DYL’s.
I personally feel that certain areas NEED to have double yellow lines i.e the corner next to Mortimers estate agents! This is to avoid potential accidents, creating dangerous blind spots and most importantly for allowing safe passage for the emergency services if they were called in!! In addition to that we need to consider the buses (I have seen it stuck several times outside Cannons!), bin trucks etc etc
I think DYL’s will be a great idea, but only if it is thought out properly and the residents are involved.
Jaso

FL LOOKING TATTY?

26/05/2008
Hi,
I'm a bit concerned about the way my end of the estate is beginning to look. Tattiness is creeping in!
1. The wooden fence at the park on Parminter Close- vandals are slowly, but surely, dismantling it. It is occasionally repaired, only to have posts ripped off it again. Is it possible to have something done? Fence changed/removed?
2. Graffiti in the underpass at junction of Coldharbour Way and Griffin Lane- This has been cleaned up once before, ages ago, but now it's just as bad as ever. It often deters these "artists" from future efforts when their work is obliterated quickly, so they don't have time to admire their creation and show it to their friends. Can something be done about this?
3. WEEDS!- Trenchard Street is being taken over by weeds. I expect we'll soon have tumbleweed rolling across it. It looks just plain awful! The impression it imparts is we just don't care.
I haven't been on the website for a while, so I was unaware of the Community Clean Up that was supposed to take place on 20 April. Was it publicised anywhere else (ie. Co-op, Fairford leys Centre)?

Anyway, feeling much better having got that off my chest.
Sue

26/05/2008
There have been 2 car crashes in the last week on Arncott Way due to speeding. During the week the road was closed for a period due to a car hitting a lamp post after clearly driving too fast off the roundabout on to Arncott Way.
Last night (Monday 00.50hrs) a house was hit when a car speeding down Arncott Way turned sharply and careered into the owners car, causing the car to hit the central part of the house on a row of terraced houses. The damage externally & internally will take a number of months to repair and the owners car written off.

At what point will a traffic calming solution be introduced to Arncott Way. I fear that it will take someone to be seriously injured for action to be taken.

16/05/2008
I just wanted to make people aware of car vandals operating on the Egypt way side of fairford leys. My husbands car had its rear screen smashed last night by a small piece of brick. A passer by saw my husband sweeping up the glass and said he had seen a lady doing the same thing on the estate behind Rothmans. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has had problems on the evening of May 15th as the police only look into crime if it has happened to more then 1 person.

I would imagine it’s the usual loud mouth youths that think they own the place. Does anyone know if we still have community officers? And if we do where do they operate?
Emma

19/05/2008
In response to the letter about car vandalism i would like to let everyone know that we had the same problems in our street. Woodmans Croft and Hemp Hill. I know of 6 cars that were vandalised on the evening/night of 15th May. Two of the cars were ours. The culprits broke off wing mirrors, snapped ariels and scratched windows as well as knocking down some trees.

Unfortunately, we have had quite a few issues over the last 12 months with youths and mindless vandalism. The appeal of living on Fairford Leys is that we wouldnt have to put up with these sort of problems.

All incidents have been reported to police, however, nothing appears to be being done, including no prescence of police or support officers on the estate at night. They must know what areas are being targeted and should be doing something now. Otherwise this estate will lose its appeal to any new residents.

31/03/2008
I have just received my council tax bill for 2008/09.
Whilst the media always questions the council tax rises of BCC and AVDC, it ignores another council closer to home - namely our Parish Council. This year our Parish Council raises their share of our council tax by 12.6% Yet Bucks CC and AVDC, providers of our main services, limit their rises to 4.5% and 4% respectively.

We now pay almost 50% more to the Parish than we do to Bucks & MK Fire Authority. I think we residents need to question just where our money is going and I'd like our Parish Council to explain how they justify such a rise.
Les

A NEW FL RESIDENT?

26/03/2008
Has anyone else seen the Peregrine Falcon in Fairford Leys?
On Easter Monday afternoon it was perched on one of the house roofs in Millers Way (directly in view of my lounge window). Both my husband and I watched it for approx. 15mins before it flew away. Unfortunately we weren't able to take a photo as the camera batteries had gone completely flat. Will be keeping our eyes open in the hope that the bird returns and we are able to get a few photo's. I am assuming that it was the male bird that is currently roosting on County Hall in Aylesbury.
Pat.

SEWAGE

16/03/2008
Dears Sirs
We moved into Fairford leys back in 2006 and have found it to be a great place to live. However one thing that has been anoying is the sewer systems installed in parts of FL.
When the brook floods due to heavy rain we find that the toilets fill up and the sinks do not drain away.
This has happened 8 times now and we have contacted the developer to resolve this issue and i am frankly tired of calling plumbers out to be told this is a problem with the sewer pipes in the street. I was wondering if others have similar problems and we can get together to write to the developer to fix it. The main problem being the lack of road adoption, but thats another issue.
Alex

THE PUB

18/02/2008
What is happening with the Village pub??? As someone mentioned recently, last year they were talking names for the pub and as yet there hasn’t been any developments in even starting to build it let alone name it! There are a huge number of residents on the estate now and apart from sitting outside the Chinese Restaurant (!) there is nowhere to go and have a social drink without leaving the estate.
Mrs. L North

02/02/2008
Litter - can we sort it out between us?
Hi,I moved into FAIRFORD LEYS in AUGUST 2007. In the summer the area looked very well presented, now the leaves have gone they have uncovered an issue that somewhat disappoints me. LITTER!!!
I walk along JEFFREY WALK in to the village centre on a daily basis and notice the bulk of litter is near to the stream.
This seems to mainly consist of plastic bottles and packaging, I suspect most of this is from residents recycling baskets. This perhaps begs the question that maybe all the recycling containers need lids?
There also seems to be a large collection of junk/litter down the grass bank off PINE STREET opposite CANNONS.

Anyway…enough moaning about the problem.
I would rather put more energy into working with fellow residents in cleaning the problem up. I’m sure if even a ¼ of residents gave up 2 hours of their time on a Sunday we could soon have the area looking much better. I have contacted the local policing team and will make further contact with the council to try and organise this. Please show some support and I’ll do my best to organise it.
Neil

Litter...continued..
07/02/2008
In response to Neil’s comments about litter. We have been on Fairford Leys for four and a half years and to be honest we’ve never seen an improvement in the litter problem. The letters from others last February still seem to ring true – I miss read the year originally believing that they were Feb 2008!!! Also, the link in the litter section to the parish council site actually mentions the following, I quote:

“Please see agenda item 8 of the parish council minutes of 1/3/07 for the latest discussion by councillors on this matter. The Clerk to the Council will discuss the matter with Parish Councillors on how the parish council can take on powers under this act and the possibilities of enforcing the act in Fairford Leys.”

The councillors seem to discuss and moan like the rest of us, but still can’t seem to do anything about it.…I also notice a year after ‘Jo’ from Hampden Square mentioned about the back of the church being a disgrace, absolutely nothing has happened.
And onto the recycling bins – yep, yet again we were up in the middle of the night last week picking up the neighbours numerous recycling cans at 2am…
And don’t get me started on the TVs and video recorders in the stream!

I mentioned this to my Tory candidate on his rounds for the election last year, but yet again nothing has happened. In the meantime, I’ve fallen back to my tactic of moaning to my wife like a Grumpy Old Man, even though I also am ‘only’ in my thirties. Makes me feel better anyway…

09/04/2008
Surely it’s the council’s job to clear up the litter. I don’t see why the residents should have to do this – I’ve got better things to do on a Sunday morning than to do the Councils job for them. Especially after receiving this years Council Tax bill, which has increased by a huge amount!
Andy.

25/01/2008
Dog poo
I am fed up of walking my children to school and having to watch out for dog poo on the pavements. I have also noticed someone has put a notice outside their house on Napier road asking the person who let their dog do their business outside their house, to kindly pick it up next time. As a responsible dog owner who always picks up after our dog – I am very worried that these inconsiderate people are giving other dog owners a bad name. Can we take pictures of the people doing this if we witness it? Is there anything we can do to prevent this?......I am almost embarrassed to walk my dog now - especially when we pass a smelly parcel on the pavement - for fear that if people see us they will assume it was our dog......Its disgusting and irresponsible and people shouldn’t have dogs if they cannot pick up after them!!!
Rowena

28/01/2008
Dog poo, too
Dear sir,
I am dismayed to see the amount of dog mess soiling our pavements. Not only is it unsightly, a disgusting mess if you walk or push a pram through it, it is also a HEALTH HAZARD. Unwormed dogs faeces can contain the eggs of the roundworm ‘Toxacara’ which can survive in the environment for years. If ingested they can cause liver, eye, brain or respiratory problems. Children are particularly vulnerable.

PLEASE be responsible dog owners and SCOOP THE POOP.

There are dog poop bins around (some need emptying a little more frequently) or take it home and bin it. It is also an offence to fail to clean up after your dog in a public place.
If I was a dog owner I would feel far more embarrassed not to scoop.
A concerned resident, veterinary nurse and mum.

30/01/2008
Dog poo, too, two
Rowena, I agree entirely!
We walk our dog down the footpath opposite the golf course and right the way around the estate in a big circle, and the level of dog poo is the same throughout this route; it's not acceptable.
I have, on occasion, picked up other people's dog poo, purely because they've allowed the dog to poo in the middle of the path!!! How can they not then pick it up? It's shocking!
I suggest there are more signs placed along these routes, to encourage the owners to pick the disgusting mess up. Let's face it, it doesn't cost the earth for a bag of 100 Tesco nappy sacks, does it!
The ironic thing is: the owners who let their dogs crap on the paths are also those who grumble to themselves about the amount of dog poo there is!!!
Best regards,
Mr P Clark.

Some people may say in response to my previous letter, ‘whats the point in picking it up if the bins are so full that there’s no where to put it? And in fairness who wants to start out on a nice long walk and have to carry a bag of dog poo with them.... and although i would never leave my dogs poo behind me I have ended up having to back home to dispose of it!!!! Who has the right to impose a £1000 fine for not picking it up – are they the same people who are supposed to be emptying the bins??

14/02/2008
Dog poo, too, three
My reason for asking this is because the bins along the path from Cavendish way all the way down alongside the golf course have not been emptied in the past couple of weeks (not the first time)and are so full that people are now leaving their bags underneath it......i rang the suppliers of the bins to ask who was in charge of emptying them and they thought it was our local council. Is this right?- because if so i will get on the phone to them straight away.......People are now getting lazy and if the bins are full (which they are most days) they cant be bothered and as a result the amount of dog poop on the pavements has increased. I also wondered if anyone knows who we would speak to about having some bins around the development....I haven’t seen any in and around the development.....or am i going blind? Maybe this might help improve the problem a little? Moan over...sorry
Rowena

Hi,
I sent u an email last night re dog poo and the bins – i have since rung the district council and spoke to the environmental department. They were not very helpful – just said that they were aware of the problem – one which is not just on Fairford leys but all over the vale and that they were looking into it. Considering the bins haven’t been emptied for nearly 3 weeks so far it wasn’t what i wanted to hear. The woman i spoke to said she couldn’t help me any more – all she could say was they were aware of the prob, have had lots of phone calls and are looking into it............
I wondered if you could somehow change my previous letter and add this new info to the end of it??
Many thanks
Rowena

17/02/2008
Dog poo, too, three
Y ou can't walk two metres without seeing one, you have to constantly look at the floor when your walking and a bloodly knightmare taking the kids out on thier bikes!
I even had to dodge one in the middle of the football pitch.

CLEAR IT UP YOUR MESS.
THE FOOT PATHS ARE FOR WALKING ON - THEY ARE NOT YOUR PETS TOILET.
AND THAT GOES FOR KABAB TRAYS AND EMPTY BOTTLES OF STELLA TOO!!
Daniel

22/01/2008
Recycling
We had our recycling rubbish left this morning. I phoned Contract Services using the number on the AVDC website and spoke to an unhelpful lady who told me that, because we had not left the recycling crates on the boundary of our property they had not been emptied - despite the fact that our neighbours crates had been right next to ours however they had been emptied! In the 3 years that we have lived in Fairford Leys we have never put the recycling crates on the edge of our property, (in fact it would probably be dangerous to do so as there is no demarcation line of where the road begins), and we have never been told that we have to do this. I have written to the council to complain. We are happy to recycle but can't understand why this time our rubbish was not collected!

22/01/2008
Slippery Bridges
Could someone let me know who is responsible for putting grit on the
wooden bridges? As this morning we had real trouble crossing over the bridge by bright start nursery. It was incredibly dangerous and we had to hold onto the
side to get ourselves across it. Thankfully the lady in front of us warned us how slippery it was or we could have been in real trouble.
Thanks
Faye

10/01/2008
Dumping
Has anyone else noticed that an old mattress and blanket etc has been dumped on the ground opposite Napier road/Grosvenor Way? I have contacted the Parish Council to get it removed but am concerned that if it isn't removed quickly, the dumping will escalate.
Lisa

02/01/2008
Any pigeon-lovers out there?
Hi,
Has anyone else had to avoid the slick of pigeon poo which has amassed under the covered walkway to the Fairford Leys Centre? There's a great slippery patch of the diseased stuff! Yuk!
I see that the parish council has put anti-bird spikes onto the criss-crossed beams of the band stand, but all that has done has been to shift them 15 feet to the left and into rafters of the covered walkway. They sit there, hunched over like pox-infected flying rats just waiting to empty their antisocial payloads at a seconds notice; horrible things.
It's clear that the spikes put up have had no effects on them, so I was wondering if the parish council have looked into a more permanent solution?
Along with the mountains of litter we see [because there's a desperate shortage of litter bins], the mess these winged-rats [you do know they're vermin, don't you?] leave is not just a serious health hazard but an awful eyesore.
I would love to see these creatures bannished [sic] from Fairford Leys.
Regards,
Mr P. Clark

26/11/2007
Naughty children alert
Just thought I would pass on some information to you with regards to some children causing problems around Pitcher Walk. On Friday 23rd November at around 2130 a group of children around 17 years of age were heard in the back courtyard of Pitcher Walk, they proceeded to walk down the alleyway at the side of our houses and stopped to attempt to rip off a window plant box that somebody had affixed to their rear wall, having failed at this they came through to the front of the houses and upturned a bench that is in front of someone’s property. Having realised they were being watched the four youths ran off.

Just thought I would pass on the information in case similar incidents are happening in the area.

14/11/2007
Beware those bridges in the winter
I would like to know if anybody has fallen on the wooden bridges around Fairfordleys.
I had a fall on 12 November 07 and had to go to hospital for stitches. This is not the first time I have fallen on one of the bridges.
I know they are slippy because the one by Pitcher Walk was used as a detour for children to get to St. Mary's school and then the builders had sharp sand put all over the bridge to stop the kids falling.
Marian

24/10/2007
Planning Regulations
I was wondering if you could help me? I am looking to buy a Town House in Fairford Leys and the garden is quite small so I was hoping to extend it slightly to incorporate our parking space. I have heard there are strict regulations on the Fairford Leys estate and was just wondering if you could point me in the right direction in who to ask/discuss this further with?
Alix

Try looking here, the Coldharbour Parish Council guildelines.
This quote from their site may also help:
The parish council would like to remind all residents of the importance of obtaining permission from The Ernest Cook Trust on all alterations to their properties - satellite dishes and the painting of front doors all need permission as well as conservatories and extensions etc. The Ernest Cook Trust owns the covenants on every property on Fairford Leys. You can obtain (free of charge) a Development Guideline booklet from the Fairford Leys Centre or Parish Council Office.

15/10/2007
Car break in.
All residents are requested to be alert to mindless vandals/thieves who smashed a window to our car the first night we moved into our new home in Fairford Leys. The appeal to move to this development was of the clean and low crime environment. By being vigilant we can ensure that it remains that way. I fail to see why we were a target other than we were the only house in the entire road that closed the gate of the driveway. This was just to prevent any visitor from tripping on plant pots etc that we had not found a home for yet.

If you see a car being broken into then grab your phone and take a picture and forward it to the Police/Bucks Herald. This should ensure this thoughtless moron is named and shamed!

29/08/2007 Be careful - thieves about!!
Just to make residents aware that last week I had my car broken into on Fairford Leys. I have lived in Fairford Leys for just over 3 months. Very frustrating, all they took was an old mobile phone. The inconvenience of having my car window broken cost me £70 and a morning off of work. The car was parked immediately outside my house and I live in a cul-de-sac which is well lit. The purpose of this message is to remind other residents not to leave anything on show or that is valuable in your car.

13/08/2007
Hello,
I was wandering whether or not anyone has heard any news on when we should be getting our pub built?

I seem to remember a few weeks before Christmas getting an Q & A , asking for names suggestions, since then it has gone all quiet.

Any news would be appreciated, thank you

The planning application for a new public house/restaurant has been submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council and Coldharbour Parish Councillors will be commenting on the plans at their meeting on 4th October, 2007 at 8pm at The Fairford Leys Centre.

You can come along and see the plans or visit the centre and ask the Clerk to show you the proposed plans for the pub.

09/08/2007
Has anyone else found the Silver Rider service increasingly unreliable in the mornings? The bus due to leave at 06:24 each morning turns up maybe 50-75% of the time. Otherwise, it means waiting until the 06:40 bus, missing the fast train to Marylebone. Perhaps the 'new' (Y-reg!!!) buses have rubbish reliability. Rarely do both seem to be operating on the route simultaneously. Anyway, maybe it's just me. Or has anyone else got this impression??
EFC

04/08/2007
Snakes!!

There is (one or more) snakes on fairford leys!

My wife told me about seeing a snake whilst out walking (under the bridge towards to doctors surgery). This was a few weeks back and I thought nothing of it.
Then on Saturday (4th Aug 2007), I saw a snake, atleast 2ft in length crossing the road on Andrews Way into the bushes towards the public footpath.

I think its a grass snake, but, not sure. Should I be worried? and who would you contact?

Anyone else seen it?

Shar

Seen quite a few around and there are plenty on the golf course. I think they are harmless grass snakes but don't take my word for it!!

02/08/2007

We are having a lot of trouble getting Sky to provide us with broadband and I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience? Our postcode is HP19 7GD and they originally said it would not be a problem. However after accepting our offer they now tell us we need a new line from BT, in order for them to provide us with broadband.
BT say this is not true & our line is perfectly adequate, which makes sense as we are currently supplied broadband by aol. So does anyone else get Sky broadband and if so has it been smooth sailing? It is driving me crazy!

Regards,

Jayne

I am HP19 7GD also. We campaigned for five years to get broadband, and even then they left out Cooks Road. BT laid Fairford Leys with fibre optic cables. They knew at the time that they could not support broadband. They finally overlaid them with copper. It maybe that Sky info is out of date now. I have got BT broadband - only just tho - 100.mbps. For years we were 'too far from the exchange' But I am grateful for small mercys!
Sue

18/06/2007
I know that we have a neighbourhood police group and there is a contact number for them! But when are they going to address the growing number of youths that hand round the park areas.

As the nights are getting lighter I know that the noise and disturbances caused by these groups will get louder and louder.

I ring the police quite regularly but nothing seems to be done!

Natalie

17/05/2007
Klaxon Noise
Hi, i live in the Parmiter Close area and wondered if anyone else has been hearing a siren/klaxon noise in the middle of the night. you are usually given two blasts approx 5 seconds each then it stops. The time of this is usually 3am to 4am. If the person responsible for this knows about it please stop it immediately as it is outrageous and has been going on for months.
Al

The noise Al is referring to in his letter is from the Sony building (or Entertainment UK or whatever its called now) over on Rabans Lane. I live on Haydon Hill and hear the same noise too roughly around the same time. I think it’s a factory siren to signify one shift stopping and another starting (or maybe break time), but either way it comes from the factory and is not some random ‘noise hooligan’. The factory is 24 hours as far as I know so any complaints should possibly be directed to them. Hope that answers your question.
Sharon

19/04/2007
A huge thank you to Sue Maxwell and this letters page for publicising the watchdog report.
I followed the advice, sent the sample letter, and have just had a brand new design of control board fitted to my boiler free of charge and very efficiently. I have nothing but praise for the way Potterton have responded to the issue. Shame it needed Watchdog to kick them into action but I can’t fault the action they have taken.
Maybe now we won’t have to check the boiler 3 times a day to make sure we have hot water when we need it!
Mike

14/03/2007
Potterton Boilers
Just an update regarding the Potterton boiler. The Potterton team came to my house on Cooks Road, today, 14th March and replaced the faulty circuit board free of charge, no questions asked. The BBC's Watchdog campaign has saved me over £300.

Sue Maxwell

02/02/07
Potterton Boilers
Many of us have got Potterton Boilers in Fairford Leys that have gone wrong. Bryants install them in their houses. The BBC's Watchdog has caught up with them and will provide some help with a sample letter.

Quote on BBC website
"Since our report on Potterton's Suprima Standard Efficiency boilers was transmitted on 6 February 2007, Watchdog has had over 900 complaints from viewers. If you've paid for a repair to your boiler due to circuit board failure and would like to ask for your money back, you can use this sample letter to contact Potterton. If your boiler has broken down due to circuit board failure and would like Potterton to pay, you can use this sample letter. "
Hope this helps:)
Sue Maxwell