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.