Government urges more parking provision...

Government urges more parking provision

The Department for Communities and Local Government is set to publish new planning guidance calling for more town centre car parking provision. The department also wants to see less street clutter and fewer road humps.

DCLG said the new planning guidance will push for more town centre parking spaces and propose measures to tackle the blight of ugly street clutter and aggressive ‘anti-car’ traffic calming measures like road humps.

The new practice guidance, covering design, town centres and travel plans, will state that councils should understand the important role appropriate parking facilities can play in rejuvenating shops, high streets and town centres.

It also sets out how town hall planning rules should not be used to tax drivers or justify development of crude traffic calming measures, such as poorly-sited bollards and road humps.

The new government guidance is part of a new ‘easy-to-use’ online guide that replaces 7,000 pages of previous planning documents. It has been developed following an external review to make planning more accessible to councillors and local residents.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Draconian town hall parking policies and street clutter can make driving into town centres unnecessarily stressful and actually create more congestion because of lack of places to park. Anti-car measures are driving motorists into the arms of internet retailers and out of town superstores, taking their custom with them.

Access the Department for Communities and Local Government press release

Roger Milne
29 August 2013

Winter Storage at Thornham Marina... Chichester Harbours' Best Kept Secret!

Dear GMRA members and readers - 

We received this up-date from Jennette at the beautiful Thornham Marina and we thought it may be of interest to those members and readers with boats requiring winter storage.

www.thornhammarina.com

Do you like chatting with boat owners who you have something in common with? You might think that you are the only one with your design of boat in Chichester Harbour but wouldn't it be nice to see another like-minded boat owner?  If you have ever wondered how many types of boat there are in Chichester Harbour and where they all hide in the winter then let me tell you a secret... 217 boat owners already know and we are willing to share it with you.

 

Thornham Marina, situated at the top of Chichester Harbour, caters for most types of boats.  

Listed below that some of the types of boats that regularly winter at Thornham Marina.



A Aluminium 280 SC.

B Bayliner 39, Beneteau 21.7, Beneteau 211, Beneteau 25.7, Beneteau 25/7, Beneteau 325,Beneteau Oceanis 311, Blackwater Sloop, Bavaria 34, Bayliner 29 Motorboat.

C Carvella 22, Catalak Catamaran, Catalina 30, Challenger Horizon, Coaster 33, Cobra 850, Colvic Cobra, Compac 23, Contessa 32, Cormorant Challenger,Cornish Shrimper.

D Deb 33, Deben Cherub, Dracor 27, Dragonfly 800.

E Endurance 40, Express Pilot.

F Fairey Fisherman, Fairline Carrerra, Farrier 27 Triamaran, Feltham Yard Wooden, Finesse, Fjord 30, Folk Boat.

G Gaff Rig, Gaff Wooden Cutter, Gibsea 282, GK 26, Golden Hind 31.

H Halberg 35, Hamble Horizon 32, Hardy 18, Heavenly Twins, Hillyard, Hirondelle, Honey Bee, Hunter 26, Hunter 265, Hunter 27, Hunter Horizon 26, Hunter Medina 20, Hunter Pilot, Hunter Ranger 245, Hustler 25.

I Island Plastic, Itchen Ferry.

J Jaguar 22, Jaguar 25, Jeneau 32, Jenneau 32.

K Kelt 39, Kingfisher.

L Legend 29, Leisure 23, Lone Gull II.

M Macwester 27, Macwester Wight, Magregor 26, MFV Gaff Rig, Mirage 28, Moody 29, Moody 30, Moody 33, Moody 34, Moody 36, Morgan Giles 30 Motor Boat, Motor Cat, Motor Cruiser.

N Nab 35, Nicholson 32, North Beach 24.

O One Off Design Catamaran, One Off Wooden Boat.

P Parker 27, Parker 29, Parker 335, Pegasus Prelude, Pelican Fishing Boat, Pionier, Prelude, Prospect 500.

R Rival 31, Rival 32, Rossiter Pintail.

S Saber 27, Sadler 26, Sadler 29, Sail Craft, Seal 26, Seal Sinbad 22, Seamaster 23, Sigma 36, Snap Dragon, Snap Dragon 21, South Coast One Design, Southerly 100, Southerly 110, Spanish Targa, Sportina 760.

T Tosher 18, Trailer Sailor, Trapper 500, Trident 24.

V Varne, Vivacity.

W Warrior 35, Westerly, Westerly Centaur, Westerly Consort, Westerly Corsair, Westerly Griffin, Westerly Griffin, Westerly Ocean Ranger, Westerly Pageant, Westerly Pentland, Westerly Warick, Wooden Boat, Wooden Motor Yacht, Woods Sagilta, Woodsflicker 37.

X X Boat.



We would love you to be the 218th person that discovers Chichester Harbour's best kept secret.

Kind regards
Jeanette

+44 (0)1243 375 335
www.thornhammarina.com

Thornham Marina is Chichester Harbours' Best Kept Secret!

----------

Some of the things customers have said about Thornham Marina.

"I knew we had made the right decision to come round to Thornham
Marina when we were met at the waiting pontoon by your yard staff
to help us into the pool.  Full marks to Dave and Cliff who treated
'Tara' with care and professionalism from reception through haul
out and finally helping us back out into the channel on our way
home.  The marina is in great location with well stocked
chandleries close by and first rate marine engineer on site.  The
deal you offered for the 30 day lay-up was very good and we
especially appreciated the courtesy cab ride back to home base to
pick up our car. 
When you asked how you might improve things, I couldn't immediately
give you an answer but having had a chance to ponder I can only say
DON'T CHANGE A THING.  We will definitely be back next year and in
the meantime I will spread the word."
Chris Jackson, TARA of Gosport

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Couldn't wish for a more friendly crew.  Richard Harper, Miranda

-----------

A very contented customer - Sir Jeremy Thomas, Egret

-----------

I would like to say how brilliant Jeanette and Simon were in my
experience.  How many people would turn out after midnight to help
me get close on the tide.  Brilliant. Colin Howard. Swift

-----------

Thornham Marina Ltd, Thornham Lane, Prinsted, Hampshire, PO10 8DD, UK

The Mayor's Thames Festival's Pageant-inspired events

Hello Greenhithe Wednesday 28 August

Thames Festival's Pageant-inspired events Pageant Master Adrian Evans on Pageant Day (Thames Talk: Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant - 3 years in the making), Image: Narrow Boats on Pageant Day, Paul Alcock Time flies on the river… it’s been over a year (and an Olympics, a Paralympics, a long cold winter, and the longest extended heat wave since 2006) since that rainy day back in June 2012… This year’s Thames Festival programme includes a number of events in celebration of the maritime feat that was the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant that we're sure will be of interest to you. Thames Talk: Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant – 3 years in the making As part of Thames Festival’s series of Thames Talks, Bettany Hughes historian, author, broadcaster and Pageant ‘widow’ - delves behind the scenes with Pageant Master, Adrian Evans (in grey suit above), to explore the triumphs, trials and tribulations in the planning of one of the most extraordinary maritime feats of modern times. Sunday 8 September, 4pm Watermen’s Hall, 16-18 St Mary-at-Hill, EC3R 8EF Fascinating talk, unique venue. Tickets selling fast!  GET TICKETS

GUIDED TOUR OF GREENHITHE WITH CHRISTOPH BULL

PLEASE CALL 0770 228 7147 FOR FULL DETAILS.

THE SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE TOWN COUNCIL

Outline Planning for 350 Berth Marina at Greenhithe Approved...

© 2013 Dartford Borough Council All Rights Reserved

Government shifts cycling up a gear

Photo: Nick Ansell/PA Images.

Organisations:

Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and Department for Transport

Page history:

Published 12 August 2013

Policies:

Making transport more accessible to all+ 2 others, Making roads safer and Improving local transport

Ministers:

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP and The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

A nationwide drive to promote cycling in cities and national parks across England will be launched today.

The Prime Minister announces the biggest ever single injection of cash for the country alongside plans to make roads safer for those on two wheels.

£77 million will be divided between Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Norwich, while the New Forest, Peak District, South Downs and Dartmoor will each share a slice of £17 million funding for national parks. With local contributions, the total new funding for cycling is £148 million between now and 2015.

The announcement includes a commitment from the government to cut red tape that can stifle cycle-friendly road design and to encourage changes to the way roads are built or altered. Councils will be expected to up their game to deliver infrastructure that takes cycling into account from the design stage.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:

Following our success in the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Tour de France, British cycling is riding high - now we want to see cycling soar. Our athletes have shown they are among the best in the world and we want to build on that, taking our cycling success beyond the arena and onto the roads, starting a cycling revolution which will remove the barriers for a new generation of cyclists.

This government wants to make it easier and safer for people who already cycle as well as encouraging far more people to take it up and business, local government, developers, road users and the transport sector all have a role to play in helping to achieve this.

Sign up for regular email updates from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Investment in ‘cycle proofing’

New trunk road schemes that have a significant impact on cyclists, such as junction improvements or road-widening, will be ‘cycle-proofed’ so they can be navigated confidently by the average cyclist.
Significant junction upgrades and other improvements will help cyclists at 14 locations on the trunk road network where major roads can prove an obstacle for journeys by bike. £5 million will be invested in upgrades this year and a further £15 million will be invested in 2015 to 2016, with plans in place for many more similar schemes.

This commitment to improved cycling facilities is intended to put Britain on a level-footing with countries known for higher levels of cycling like Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

We have seen a significant growth in the number of cyclists in London over the last few years. But cycling shouldn’t be confined to the capital. Today’s announcement shows we are absolutely committed to boosting cycling in cities and the countryside across the whole of England. I want to help open up cycling to more people and these measures to make cycling safer on our roads are an important part of that.

Making cycling safer in urban areas

The Prime Minister announced allocations from the government’s fund to make cycling easier and safer for people in the following urban areas which include the three largest cities outside of London:

• Greater Manchester £20 million
• West Yorkshire £18.1 million
• Birmingham £17 million
• West of England £7.8 million
• Newcastle £5.7 million
• Cambridge £4.1 million
• Norwich £3.7 million
• Oxford £0.8 million

This funding means that investment in cycling in the 8 cities is now in excess of £10 per head per year, as recommended by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group’s recent report. This will help these cities deliver a surge in cycling similar to that seen in the capital.

Read more... 

Open Water Swimming 2013 @ The Bridge Dartford

Open Water Swimming @ The Bridge Dartford
Whether your training for Triathlon or a Great Swim, Dartford lake is an ideal safe training environment right next to the M25 with free parking.

Monday’s & Friday’s 18.00 – 20.00

Tea & Coffee provided (See the new club tent)   

                                                                                                                              

• £10 Registration (You must be an open water member) £5 per secession   
• We have three swim routes clearly marked out and easy to spot (Longest 1100 mtrs aprox)
• Safety boat (s) always deployed with onshore marshals (safety is our number one priority)
• Ideal for Aquathlon training (Run around the lake)
• You must be able to swim 400 mtrs +, you must provide proof of lake induction / previous open water experience

 
See our website

Register now

For further info email club_development@whiteoaktri.co.uk

• Get ready for the 2014 season, join our club. 

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus has been nesting on a barge anchored in the Thames

Dear GMRA Members and readers,  

We recently received this lovely email  and photos from Greenhithe resident Andries Loots which we are pleased to be able to share this with.

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Hi There

We stay in Carmichael Avenue, Greenhithe in Kent overlooking the Thames and have been observing a pair of Oyestercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus ) nesting on a barge anchored in the Thames, for the last three years

This year in May we noticed two small chicks but not long after the chicks disappeared.

We saw one more chick a month later but then there was a lot of activity on the barge with a crane stacking scrap metal where they were nesting and the third chick was also not seen again.

The pair have just made a new nest at the front on the Eastern side of the barge.
Can something be done to protect them to ensure these chicks survive ?

Kind regards

Andries Loots

Background and Justification

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern. 

Further information can be found by clicking on the following link:

Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

We would be happy to help and if you wouldn’t mind I’d like to post this along with some additional information about Eurasian Oystercatcher to our blog.

In the meantime we can contact the PLA and the Barge owner to make them aware of the nesting birds hopefully that will help keep the chicks safe until they are strong enough to leave the nest.

We would love to hear from our readers if you have any interesting stories or photos of Greenhithe (Past or Present) please get in touch.