Working to Improve the Cam

We all care about the Cam and the chalk streams that supply it, and we all know that no plan for the future of Cambridge or the greater Cambridge area can go ahead without some solution to the water crisis that we face – itself just one aspect of the much wider climate crisis.

This is something I’ve been arguing for years, and in 2019 I organised the first major meeting about water in the region. Since then, it has been acknowledged by all the local councils and MPs from every party, and widely reported (as here in the Cambridge Independent).
 
So it’s a real pity when we see members of one party misrepresent the steps that we are taking as a City Council to do something positive to improve the quality of the Cam, put pressure on the water companies and the Environment Agency to take action, and raise awareness of the importance of our water supply.

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Cambridge Needs More Than Content-Free Headlines

The Sunday Times (9 July) has a breathless report that Michael Gove is thinking of building a quarter of a million new homes in Cambridge, in order to turn the city into a ‘tech leader’, and that he will send a planning ‘hit squad’ over to ensure that annoying irritations like ‘eco rules’ don’t get in the way of his brilliant plan.

Apparently this will help to ‘fix England’s housing crisis and unleash growth in the life sciences and technology sectors’.

Let’s ignore for the moment that the chances of Gove still being Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities after next summer are very slim – indeed it is unlikely that his band of failed Tories will be anywhere near ministerial office.

And let’s ignore for the moment that the ‘tightly guarded’ plan, which goes under the mysterious code name ‘Cambridge 2040’ (I wonder what it could be about…) seems to consist of some under-researched aspirations and a briefing to a friendly newspaper in a desperate search for positive headlines.

What would it take to actually deliver such a plan, assuming we wanted it?

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Thank you, Petersfield

Petersfield Results
Katie Thornburrow 1302 votes 50 per cent
Emmanuel Carraud 509 votes 19 per cent
Joshua Morris-Blake 449 votes 17 per cent
Paul Roper 370 votes 14 per cent

Thank you to everyone who voted in Petersfield on 4th May. Thanks to the other candidates Emmanuel Carraud, Joshua Morris-Blake and Paul Roper, who also stood in our democratic election for a seat on Cambridge City Council.

I’m grateful to have been returned as your councillor. Thank you for every vote. Thank you for telling me about your lives and issues over the last few weeks. Thanks for listening to me and reading my leaflets.

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Getting ready for May 4

it’s the last weekend of campaigning before the local elections on Thursday, and I’ve been all over Cambridge these past few days supporting my fellow Labour candidates, when I’m not canvassing and delivering leaflets in Cambridge. It’s hard work, but worth it to support great local candidates like Alice Gilderdale, Anne Miller, Antoinette Nestor and Mary Murphy, and everyone else, of course – see the full list on the Cambridge Labour website, and find out where to cast your vote here, if you haven’t already voted by post, on the excellent ‘Where do I vote?’ site from Democracy Club:

I couldn’t have managed it all without my trusty Urban Arrow electric cargo bike. Since we bought it in 2018 it has been a vital part of my life, getting me around, and carrying leaflets, shopping, books, clothes and a lot more. We have the ‘short’ cargo version, which is a lot more manoeuverable than the long one, but won’t take a small child!

(And see my earlier blog post about choosing the bike.)

Cycling is the main way I get around, so I’m always pleased to respond to the Camcycle election survey – see my answers on the Camcycle website.

The Cargo Bike outside Outspoken

The cargo bike is a complex machine, and so this week we took it back to Outspoken for a full service – which included upgrading the firmware on both the controller and the battery – and now it’s as smooth to ride as when we bought it.

Parked outside Savino’s on Drummer Street

I’ll try to wave as I whizz past you – and don’t forget to vote on Thursday (and bring some ID).

I’m your candidate for Petersfield

I’m pleased to say that the Petersfield ward has chosen me to seek re-election as the city councillor, and I’m standing in the local elections on Thursday May 4.

Katie’s Leafleft

When I was first elected to Cambridge City Council in 2018 I promised people three things: that I would fight fairly for my arguments and always listen to and work with people from all sides of the political arena; that I’d stay in touch, even when I couldn’t sort a problem; and that I’d be here all year round, not just at election times. I believe I’ve fulfilled these promises, and if re-elected in May I will continue to live up to them.

Within the ward that means representing residents when a much-loved tree was threatened, finding funds for benches, bee banks and hedge replacement, and listening carefully to all sides on controversial issues like Mill Road bridge.

I’ve helped limit the number of builders’ lorries moving through our streets, and even got a major planning application near the station revised because it didn’t allow for walking or cycling.

And I’ve worked across the region to highlight the water crisis, helped develop the emerging local plan, and supported the consultation on the sustainable travel zone.

I hope that you’ll support me on May 4, so that I can continue to work with my fellow councillors for everyone in Petersfield, as Labour delivers One Cambridge Fair for All.

A Bus Gate on Mill Road Bridge

The County Council has decided to put a bus gate on Mill Road bridge, following a consultation after the previous restrictions were removed in July 2021.

Cameras will be installed in the next few weeks, and notices put up advising drivers that they will be fined if they drive across the bridge. However the bridge is not being closed to everyone – as well as pedestrians and cycles it will be open to buses, taxis and other authorised vehicles, while blue badge holders can get exemption from the restrictions for two cars.

I was asked to speak at Highways and Transport committee meeting that approved the bus gate, and this is what I said

“I bring the views of those residents who contacted me to support the proposed changes to traffic over the bridge, including the exemptions.

As a ward councillor I have heard real concerns about the congestion, pollution and negative impact to those walking along or over the road particularly parents of children going to local schools.

I’ve also heard from residents who ask that if the proposal are agreed that other opportunities to improve the local streets and communities be improved with real consultation with our residents.

Finally, I have also heard very legitimate concerns about the proposals from small and medium size businesses along the road. These concerns are not from right wing or climate deniers and we must also listen to these concerns.

These are similar concerns to those of local shops across the country

The world we live in now is very changed from 4-5 years ago. Retail and how we shop is changed and continues to change. I would like to ask that we all work to consider a new strategy to support local retail going forward. This is important to the whole community of Mill Road”.

Now that the decision has been made to limit traffic I’m going to talk to the many small businesses in Petersfield about how they can adapt to the new traffic patterns, and will work with my fellow councillors here and in Romsey to make sure that the area does well.

Full details of the bus gate on the CCC website
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/mill-road-bridge-closure-approved

Blue Badge Holders can apply for an exemption here
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/parking-services/mill-road-bus-gate-blue-badge-application-exemption

Trees on St Matthew’s Piece

The City Council has received an application to completely remove the three mature plane trees on St Matthew’s Piece opposite 191-193 Sturton Street, an application which I, along with other local councillors and residents groups, oppose. Although the application claims that the trees are causing subsidence and structural damage to the houses, there is no clear evidence that this has happened, and certainly not enough to justify the removal of these important trees, which are an integral part of the local area and much-loved by all of us who use St Matthew’s Piece.

Although they are on land owned by the St Matthew’s (former Howard Mallet) Centre they are covered by tree preservation orders and fall inside the Mill Road conservation area, so they cannot be cut down or pruned without an application to the Council. In fact, this is the second application about these trees. A request to cut 5m from each tree, 22/0271/TTPO, was refused on 1st August 2022 due to lack of evidence that they were causing damage.

Now that the application has been received the council has six weeks to make an assessment. As well as considering if the reason for the proposed works are valid, the council has to assess the trees’ contribution to the visual amenity of the area, and whether the proposed works would adversely affect the appearance of the trees and/or the visual amenity value of the locality.

The technical term ‘visual amenity’ considers how the height, shape, shadows and colours of the trees contrast and complement the streets and surrounding buildings, something especially relevant to mature trees like these in a built-up area. it also covers the ways the trees change through the seasons and how that enhances the area. And it can also include the contribution made by the birds, bats and insects within the trees.

It seems clear to me, and to many others, that the amenity provided by these trees is substantial, especially to the many children and families who enjoy using the space and its playground,. They form part of only three significant open space areas in Petersfield, which is mainly residential streets. They contribute to a green oasis within this urban setting, with significant cooling effects, and are home to a range of birds and bats.

We should also remember that they are part of the history of Cambridge. The land that forms St Matthew’s Piece was bought in 1891-2 because the “provision of open spaces was one of the best provisions they could make, not simply for the health of the town but for the morality of the town” and a resolution for the establishment of a “recreation ground” was passed, in the interests of the 2,000 children in the “immediate neighbourhood” was made. It was opened in 1898, and it needs to be protected so we can continue to benefit from this wonderful area.

Because these trees are so important, I wanted to speak out before the planning committee discusses the application. That means that I will not take part in the discussion and vote, even though I’m a member of the committee, as all members are required to consider applications during the meeting, and making my views known in advance would compromise that.

Ironworks Time Capsule

[Image shows Gerri Bird, Richard Robertson and Katie Thornburrow with the steel time capsule]

The Ironworks development on the old council depot site off Mill Road has brought 182 new homes, half of them new council homes, as well as the much-needed community centre.

On Thursday 26th Cllr Gerri Bird, our executive councillor for housing, helped to bury a stainless steel time capsule in the Ironworks community garden, accompanied by council officers and representatives of Hills, the contractors.

The capsule contains material commemorating the area’s time as a main depot for council vehicles, as well as memories of those who worked there and local residents, and its location is marked with a plaque.

I cycle through the Ironworks on my way to and from Mill Road, and it’s a lovely development with a growing community. It’s nice to know its history hasn’t been forgotten.

Welcome to 2023

As we look forward to the year ahead, the challenges facing us may feel enormous, but as ward councillor for Petersfield and executive for planning and infrastructure on Cambridge City Council, I can promise that I will be working hard with my fellow Labour city councillors, colleagues on Cambridgeshire County Council, our Labour mayor of the Combined Authority, and Labour MP Daniel Zeichner to do everything in our power to deliver our promise of one Cambridge, fair for all.

For me, I’ll be focused on developing the new local plan, dealing with the consultation around the sustainable travel zone, continuing to raise awareness of the need to balance development goals with preservation of the environment and water supply, and dealing with the many issues that come as a ward councillor. But I’m sure that other things will come up.. they always do.

So here’s to 2023 and all that it offers.