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25 July 2024
![Three cars parked on the road.](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/car%20parked%20web.jpg)
Northampton’s Chalk Lane Car Park will be closed until 12 August to allow West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and its contractors to reinstate the car park to a safe standard before reopening.
The car park was temporarily closed on 16 July to allow for preparatory work on the new Marefair Heritage Park, and had been due to reopen today (25 July). However the extent of the work required was greater than originally planned, and the closure will now be extended to 12 August.
Signage is in place to notify motorists of the temporary closures, with people directed to use the nearby Marefair or Commercial Street Car Parks instead. Click here to view the council-owned car parks across Northampton.
West Northamptonshire Council secured £1.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund towards delivering the Heritage Park, which will provide new green space, trees, play areas, community gardens, pathways and lighting.
Marefair and the surrounding area has a fascinating and important history as the site of the once famous Northampton Castle as well as other historic local buildings such as the Old Black Lion Pub, Hazelrigg House, Castle Hill United Reformed Church, St Peters Church and a former Saxon Palace.
The park will tell this story on a heritage timeline, made up of poles which will be installed throughout the park. Click here to find out about regeneration schemes across Northampton.
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25 July 2024
![A bus](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/2024-JW-Stagecoach-Bus-Daventry-4645%20%281%29_0.jpg)
People are being encouraged to share their views on a Local Transport Plan being developed by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).
The plan has been developed with key stakeholders and details a range of proposals for transport over the next 20 years, with the aim that by 2045 the Council will have worked with communities and partners to:
- Make public transport more attractive and accessible
- Make active travel such as walking or wheeling a first choice for short trips
- Reduce dependency on private cars
- Make our transport system safer, cleaner, and more inclusive
- Improve transport infrastructure and transport services to make them more resilient
- Achieve net zero.
WNC is keen for residents, businesses, community groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to have their say on whether they agree with the proposals in the plan.
A series of drop-in events are being held across the area and online on the following dates:
- Tuesday 13 August, 9am to midday at Daventry Market Square, High Street
- Friday 16 August, 9am to midday at Brackley Market, The Piazza
- Wednesday 21 August, 10am to 11.30am, online
- Thursday 22 August, 9am to noon at The Grosvenor Centre, Northampton
- Monday 23 September, 10am to 11.30am online
- Friday 11 October, 9am to midday at Towcester Farmers Market, Richmond Road
For joining instructions to the online sessions, please email [email protected].
"We are keen to hear people’s thoughts on this plan that will help shape the future of local transport across West Northants for years to come.Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport"Local transport is used by people for many different reasons in both our urban and rural areas, so we need to make sure that we’re focussing on the right things, whilst also considering the impact on the environment.
"The plan describes our overarching ambition for transport in West Northants and ensures that other transport related policies and objectives are working together."
The consultation runs until 17 October. People can have their say on our consultation hub.
All responses will then be analysed and considered by the Council in developing the plan further. Once finalised, the Local Transport Plan will be presented to WNC’s Cabinet early 2025 with the final plan to be published following that meeting.
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Fire Safety Advice
Bio-ethanol and gel fuel burners are becoming increasingly popular and are used as both decorative items and as heating sources both indoors and outdoors. Bio-ethanol flame-effect fires have the same look and feel as ‘living’ flames but don’t need to have a chimney or flue. They don’t emit smoke or ash, but they are flammable and can cause serious harm.
There are currently no European standards for these products and so it is essential that safety advice is strictly followed to keep yourself and others safe around them:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions.
- Only use bio-ethanol fuel in fireboxes and containers designed for the product, and always use the appropriate fuel type.
- Bio–ethanol fuel is highly flammable and should be kept in containers tightly closed and away from any ignition sources.
- Fireboxes and containers should always be placed on a stable surface and away from combustible materials.
- Never add fuel to an already burning fire or overfill a fuel container and never fill up a firebox fuel container that is still hot, wait at least 15 minutes for the fire to cool down before topping up. Most accidents happen when topping up fuel because bio-ethanol is extremely flammable.
- Keep children and pets away from fireboxes and fuel.
- Extinguish all fires when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
- Always use bio-ethanol fireboxes and containers in a well-ventilated room.
- Regularly clean and check fuel containers for damage and never use a leaking one.
- Clean away any fuel spills with a damp cloth and dry completely.
- Keep your hands, hair and clothing well clear of any burning flames and fuel. You can be seriously injured if the fuel spits on your clothes or catches other flammable objects.
- Always light bio-ethanol fuel with an extended lighter or extra-long match – never discard matches into the container.
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24 July 2024
![Our 4 main council office buildings with the WNC logo in the centre](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2023-07/living-and-working-in-northants.png)
A man who unlawfully attempted to secure social housing has been required to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities and ordered to pay £1,315 in fines and costs by Wellingborough Magistrates Court on 17 July 2024.
Craig Andrews, also known as Kulak, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, appeared in court following his guilty plea to two serious offences: making false claims and providing false information to commit fraud under the Fraud Act 2006.
West Northamptonshire Council's Counter Fraud team conducted a detailed investigation and uncovered Mr. Andrews’ fraudulent actions. Their thorough investigation uncovered the full extent of Mr. Andrews’ dishonesty, which was aimed at securing housing he was not rightfully entitled to.
Fraudulent activities like these are unacceptable. We want to make it clear that West Northamptonshire Council will not tolerate any form of dishonesty. We are committed to thoroughly investigating all fraud cases and act against anyone who tries to exploit the systemCllr Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance at the Council
Access to social housing is a crucial support for many in our community, and honesty is essential in ensuring that those who need help receive it. The impact of such fraudulent actions is far-reaching, affecting not just the immediate system but the entire community. We must ensure that housing resources are allocated fairly to those who truly need themCllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing at the Council
If you think you may know someone who is committing fraud you can report it on our website.
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22 July 2024
![white van with council logo and a person in a hi viz jacket](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Highways%20Contract.jpg)
An additional £10 million will be invested into improving roads across West Northamptonshire.
The extra funding will allow WNC and its highways partner Kier to extend the surface dressing programme for roads and paths across the area as well as carrying out bridge maintenance schemes and work to resolve drainage issues across the area.
This will also provide the opportunity to trial an innovative road surfacing technique (called in-situ recycling) that produces a long-lasting repair and reuses existing material to reduce costs and carbon emissions, resulting in more sustainable repairs across our rural network.
The additional funding (which was approved at Council on Thursday 18 July) is coming from the capital budget which is used for things like improving local infrastructure. This follows on from the £2.8 million investment into purchasing and operating new machinery in 2023, which has already increased the efficiency of road maintenance and repairs in our area.
“We understand that the state of our roads is extremely important to residents and we’re keen to make sure we’re doing everything we can to maintain and improve them.”Cllr Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport“This additional investment will allow us to carry out even more much needed resurfacing and repair works and explore innovative new technologies that will improve our service. We will continue to keep residents informed on the progress of works with the hope that once works have concluded there will be a visible difference.”
To find out more about the Highways services across West Northamptonshire visit: Highways or visit @WNHighways on Facebook and X.
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