Village Tour

The council is constantly pursuing issues aimed at keeping our village a nice place for everyone to live in. You can now see many of these issues on the 'Village Tour' pages. Look up the 'What We Do' page and click on the three links to next to the heading 'Village Tour'.

Please help!

Each year, the accounts of the Parish Council are audited and we rely on a volunteer to do an “internal” check before they are sent to the external auditor, BDO. On average, there are less than 100 transactions a year, and the audit check is fairly straightforward – you do not need to be an accountant! If you think you can help, or for more information, please contact the Clerk, Margaret Davenport on 835771 or email ovinghamparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Bridge Refurbishment

Just a reminder that the engineers are keeping a blog with interesting information and photos about what's happening with the bridge refurbishment.
If nothing else, the blog clearly outlines just how involved and thorough the job is.
Click on this link below, then look for the link under 'Latest News' which starts 'See the blog for the latest ...'.

 http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=17343

Parish News - January 2015

Following our January meeting the next parish Council meeting will be on March 19^th as there is no meeting in February.
By then, the Councillors will have submitted a response to the Local Development Plan (Northumberland County Council) and attended meetings and/or roadshows in connection with it.


At the time of writing this, no decision has yet been made regarding the interactive unit on Castle View as costs are still awaited. However, County Council have confirmed that the 30mph speed limit sign cannot be moved further down the hill in the direction of Wylam as it does not meet their criteria for relocation. It is hoped a site meeting with Highways Department will confirm that the interactive unit can be moved.


Northumberland County Council have also been contacted and asked that grass protection mesh can be considered as a possibility (to protect the grass verges) on Horsley Road if tarmac is considered too expensive in widening the drives to ease parking.


Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Parish News - December 2014

Costs are still awaited for moving the interactive sign on Castle View. Checks will also need to be made with Highways Department to confirm it is possible. County Council have confirmed that the request to move the 30mph sign will be put on the “Local Transport Plan” for consideration, but they have been asked to give the Parish Council an estimate of the cost and when this is received, the Parish Council may consider paying for the sign to be moved out of their budget rather than wait for County Council to do it.
Many thanks to Bob Klotz who has restored the Millennium Bench on the Pack Horse Green. Over 14 years since this bench was purchased for the Millennium – how time flies!  
The drain on Castle View is still causing problems – a request has been submitted to put a camera down to try and establish what is causing it.
Work on the bridge is a further 2 weeks behind schedule – hopefully there will be no more delays but unfortunately, problems often arise only when work starts or progresses.


The first Parish Council meeting of the New Year is on 15^th January at 7.15pm in the Blackett Room.
Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Parish News - November 2014

At the October meeting, PC Charlie Cross talked in general, about traffic issues and speeding in the village. He reported that the current 20mph speed restriction in Wylam is being monitored and it was noted that the Parish Council have asked for 20mph for Ovingham to be included in the Local Transport Plan, which was submitted to County Council. PC Cross did point out that volume of traffic is one of the areas looked at when considering 20mph, and currently due to the bridge closure, there is less traffic in Ovingham. PC Cross also stated that whilst speed cameras can be used, enforcement was always going to be a problem. People needed educating and unfortunately, speeding was always going to be a concern.  
The Parish Council are again making enquiries to see if the 30mph speed limit sign, at the entrance to Ovingham by Piper Road Estate, can be moved further down the hill (towards Wylam). They are also obtaining costs for moving the interactive sign on Castle View nearer the eastern entrance to the village. A site meeting with the manufacturers has confirmed it is possible, but no decision can be made until a quote has been received.
Work on Ovingham Bridge is about 4 weeks behind schedule. Updates are available on the Parish Council website, as well as the County Council website. Meetings are held on a regular basis and concerns are passed on to the chief engineer, by Cllr Jordon. There is also a short survey, prepared by Newcastle University for the i-BUILD research programme which is available until 1^st December. Please take time to complete it - https:/ /www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTWVC8B
The next meeting of the council is on 20 November at 7:15pm in the Reading Room.
Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Bridge Closure - Survey of Its Impact

Dr. Arthur Affleck is conducting research into the effects of the closure of Ovingham Bridge and has invited residents of Ovingham and Prudhoe to complete a short questionnaire. His email appears below.

Dear Resident of Ovingham/Prudhoe,

As part of the i-BUILD research programme, Newcastle University are researching different aspects of infrastructure including the value of roads and bridges to society. i-BUILD is funded by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council).
With the closure of Ovingham Bridge we want to know how this change has affected the people of Ovingham and Prudhoe. Please help us find out some of the social and economic impacts connected to the bridge and complete this short survey about the bridge's closure. It will only take about five minutes. Here is the link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTWVC8B
Please forward this email to friends, family and colleagues living in Ovingham or Prudhoe, so we can get wide range of views about the bridge's closure.
This survey will be open until 1st December 2014 and we will post the results on i-BUILD's website in the New Year. If you want further information please contact Dr Arthur Affleck by email:
arthur.affleck@newcastle.ac.uk

Or by post
Newcastle University
Newcastle University Business School
5 Barrack Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 7SE

Please feel free to complete this survey and draw it to the attention of any resident you think might also complete it.