twowheelsgood

Ahh, I see, the former Bulmers science building. I didn't know this was the subject of further council craziness - what department has moved there then? Having decided to take on Bulmers Plough Lane HQ as their HQ, it seems odd they are sub-letting at least one floor of that to Hoopla whilst then scratching around for other accommodation.

The plan was/is a land swap - council give Bath St to the Fire Brigade, who demolish it for a PFI station-by-numbers, council take Fire Station and, in a stroke of brilliance and originality, demolish it for … a car park. Really, I'm not joking. We're paying senior officers millions of pounds for this sort of radical strategic thinking. More fool us. Yes, the FB is not answerable to the Council. It does have to comply with statutory legislation though (such as planning law) unlike Crown property.

What or where is the 'Nelson building'?

Done - let's see what they say ...

Road now closed. This is a total disgrace. BB should have their contact terminated immediately. Lets get back to direct labour and get some common sense and some quality and some planned routine maintenance in place so that we're not constantly plugging holes in the dyke whilst the shareholders count the profits.

Road now closed. BB should have their contact terminated immediately.

Oh dear, very bad timing for the meeting, which is today ...

Shouldn't that be 'What does The Marches LEP hope to get out of Herefordshire?' given that democracy is being handed over to unelected businesses? The Asda/Edgar St/Holmer pinch point catastrophes are an example of how they work - so called improvements to benefit a private shopping centre.

Not if the 'To Let' signs in the windows are anything to go by.

Well, presumably Colin can see who is doing the deed and take action if deemed necessary. Personally, I attach no importance to them and rarely even register they are there.

I assume you mean it's NOT one of the following? It's not me anyway.

"Hereford Futures is to be formally round up as its purpose is now ended." I never cease to be amazed about how ill informed some councillors appear to be. The adopted ESG Masterplan, voted on by councillors, laid out a timetable, as below, and its clear how little has been achieved by the various incarnations of ESG companies and subsequently Hereford Futures. The time scale of 25 years has never been mentioned to the best of my knowledge. In fact we should be well into 3/5ths of the project by now. Hereford Futures was scaled down last June, the offices were closed and it effectively finished. They said at the time "The Council will see through the remaining elements in the development programme, including the construction of the planned Link Road and Urban Village by using in-house expertise and resources. Jonathan Bretherton, CEO of Futures will remain through to next spring to oversee the completion of the Old Market scheme and support the council on various projects including the marketing of the Urban Village and the Link Road CPO." The registered office of Futures is at Bretherton's home at Ledbury. The last accounts, from 12 months ago, show a deficit of some £15k. In the early days, West Midlands Advantage paid for some £5m of property in Hereford, inc Blueschool House and Franklin Barnes. This was transferred to Hfd Futures when WMA was wound up. So, with Hfd Futures on the way out, and with nothing in the kitty, where has the £5m of property gone? I assume transferred to the Council, which is why the move to sell off Franklin Barnes and move the info point, yet again, this time, irony of ironies, to the Library. "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" - John Lydon. Phasing (from the ESG Masterplan) The following diagrams show how the Masterplan could evolve from the present position into the final end result. A precondition is off-site works to the west of the City to provide for relocation of the Livestock Market and flooding works. On the site, five phases have been identified. As with any major planned redevelopment, the phases will overlap, and are highly likely to change in response to changing market conditions. The timescales identified are on the basis of a commencement of works on site in 2009 (year 1). Initial off-site enabling works • Undertake strategic flood mitigation scheme at Credenhill to River Wye (corridor under consideration) • Construct new Livestock Market site incorporating potential alternative flood mitigation measures. Relocation of livestock market and strategic flood mitigation scheme Phase 1, years 2010 to 2012 • Commence Station Approach redevelopment • Construction of link road including land assembly and clearance (route options under consideration between A-B) • Land assembly and construction of new car park for Royal Mail, to south west of existing Royal Mail building • Establish pedestrian connection between railway station and Blackfriars • Widemarsh Brook diversion - route options under consideration • Initial works at Station Square and transport hub • Streetscaping to Widemarsh Street Building the link roads and starting redevelopment at Station Approach Phase 2, years 2011 to 2014 • Commence Blackfriars Urban Village construction • Commence Canal Park • Downgrade inner ring road and construct link to Coningsby Street • Commence development of the Catherine Street area, allowing relocation of the Info Centre from Garrick House • Commence Retail Quarter construction • HUFC Meadow End redevelopment Urban Village commences in the north of the area. Retail Quarter development commences, linking the old and new by downgrading Newmarket/Blueschool Street Phase 3, commencing year 2013 • Retail Quarter opens • Development of potential Hereford University site at Blackfriars Street (A) • Redevelop remainder of HUFC • Refurbishment of Blackfriars precinct With the completion of the Retail Quarter, development continues at Blackfriars Street and at the Urban Village. Phase 4, timetable developed with partners • Continued development of Catherine Street area • Continued phased development of Blackfriars Urban Village Catherine Street and Urban Village areas continue to be developed Phase 5, timetable developed with partners • Blackfriars Urban Village and Canal Park completed • Final works at Station Square and transport hub, including commercial development

I can't believe these don't have a link to a remote control room somewhere, even if only a dumb link to indicate they're not working properly.

I recall you saying the SCOOT system was going to be updated as part of the pinch point works - I take it this hasn't been done then?

If we've been paying £50k a year for something that hasn't worked for 10 years, then its excessively high!

The lights at Commercial Sq seem to have gone a bit odd today - I've been through that junction several times today westbound, and vehicles were still pouring in from Commercial St when they were on green for me (I know this junction is notorious for red light jumpers and yellow box huggers, but this was ridiculous).

Not directly - but the income stream from car parking, which we're told will go to the council, won't be there.

It's wait and see - this is a private development (albeit massively subsidised by public money) - they have no obligation to inform us of anything. Indeed, they are even giving Mr Bowley a hard time on his OLM site.

If you mean the OLM, PR spin says Easter. Which is only 10.5 weeks away. Some or all of it may not be finished by then, we'll just to wait and see.

http://repaircafe.org

With the council's continuing and expensive failure to produce a 5 year housing plan, it's open season for developers - all they have to do is demonstrate that the development is that dread word 'sustainable' and be next to existing development and they've complied with the NPPF - bingo - they're quids in. Councillors need to keep asking why the forward planning department is failing us.

The Council have for as long as I can remember held fast to maintain the 'Tupsley ridge' clear of housing as you enter the City. Perhaps if Bovis offer them enough money, they'll give in. Lets hope not. That said, I'm not sure where this site is, but its obviously on that slope somewhere.

It’s a speculative pe It’s a speculative development by a London based property developer.

But to what end? Who benefits?

The council have commented on their facebook site that in fact these two positions are short term contracts, with holiday entitlement! So, in fact, the real cost will be considerably more, as the council will be paying employers contributions as well as holiday pay and all the other little perks. I'm sick of hearing ' the best people for the job' mantra - if we had them, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in. They're just taking the money and taking the ...