News

7 September 2018
A338 road improvements

images of traffic jams in west parley

These improvements are much needed, but for the duration of the roadworks many drivers choose to divert through West Parley. This explains the longer than usual queues which have started this week, seeing rush hour extending between 4pm to 7pm. It's been taking half an hour just to get from one side of the village to the other at 6.30pm! Experience from previous A338 works show that drivers will seek alternative routes and hopefully the Parley Cross congestion will settle for the remainder of the 9 months! In the meantime, drivers are encouraged to respect other road users and be considerate to residents, driving within the speed limits on all roads.

Mags4Dorset report:
Preliminary work has started today on the A338 auxiliary lane between the Blackwater Junction and Cooper Dean roundabout. The works will see the southbound slip lane being extended as a third lane under the B3073 overbridge and over the River Stour Bridge. The extra lane will continue for approximately 700m to give additional space for traffic to safely merge back into two lanes. To accommodate the extra lane the carriageway will be widened into both the verge and central reserve and the bridge piers on the B3073 overbridge will also be given additional protection.

To enable these works to be undertaken there will be lane closures on the southbound carriageway. This will be reduced to just one lane from north of the Blackwater Junction towards the Cooper Dean roundabout. There will be a temporary 40mph speed limit in place. The northbound carriageway lane widths will be reduced slightly but two lanes will remain. The scheme will also include improvements to the northbound slip off. The Blackwater West junction on the B3073 will also be affected. Whilst some advance works off the carriageway are planned for the autumn, the main works are scheduled for next year.

The works on the A338 will continue until next June. Inevitably these works will cause some delays and drivers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys or find an alternative route. Road users are advised to sign up to the blog to stay up to date with road news - latest on the A338

14 August 2018
Reduced operations at Millhams ahead of autumn closure for essential maintenance

Residents please be aware that Millhams tip will close for a month from 24th September and residents should use Wimborne or Christchurch. The closure is so that a 'tanking system' can be installed to stop waste water runoff from the tip going into the Stour as it does now.

For the Echo articles please click on these links. .
Dialy Echo Millhams tip closure
Daily Echo Millhams tip reduced service

13 August 2018
Theft in Church Lane

Reports have been received of criminal damage to cars and property in Church Lane over recent days. Residents are reminded to ensure properties are locked, including cars and outbuildings and not to leave valuables in their cars.

10 August 2018
Nuts About Nature event coming up this Monday!

Looking for something to do to entertain the kids on Monday Morning … pop down to the Parish Council's Parley Wood, to take part in 2 hours of bug hunting, frog catching and all sorts of natural activities. PLUS lots of FREE parking available in the Parish Council's car park. Just take the narrow lane next to the Memorial Hall on Christchurch Road, and park in our car park. Signage will be up to direct you to the area in the woods that the Moors Valley Rangers are waiting for your little explorers.

Extend your stay and make use of our lovely wooden children's play area or run around on our Recreation Ground. If it's sunny, why not bring a picnic!

Any time - feel free to top up our 2 bug hotels in Parley Wood, for our smallest of residents, with cardboard, twigs, leaves, fire cones etc but NO plastic! * Advisable to wear wellies if wet, long trousers and apply bug spray as there may be mosquitos around in the woods - full Nuts About Nature information.

8 August 2018
Great Dorset Steam Fair, residents please be aware

As we approach the Great Dorset Steam Fair, we would like to remind residents to be vigilant for any unusual behaviour by visitors to the area. Please keep a watch on vulnerable neighbours, be on the look out for properties being targeted by the use of natural markings outside (chalk/paint mark, stones/sticks) and potential criminal damage. Residents are also reminded to always use authorised companies for activities rather than employing the services of 'doorstep callers'.

20 July 2018
Ferndown mourns the passing of The Worshipful The Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Steve Lugg

memorial poster for Cllr Steve Lugg

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Cllr Steve Lugg. Our thoughts are with his wife, Cathy, and all his family at this very sad time.

Ferndown Town Council Statement:
Tributes are being paid to The Worshipful the Mayor of Ferndown, Councillor Steve Lugg, following the sad news of his death, on Friday 20 July 2018, at the age of 54.

The Town Clerk, Vanessa Ricketts, said, “This is a sad day for Ferndown. Steve served his town and council for 10 years with huge dedication and commitment. He leaves a great legacy and Ferndown will miss him dearly. Despite illness he continued his mayoral duties for as long as he could with huge strength and determination. On behalf of the Council and its staff, I extend my very deepest condolences to his wife, Cllr Cathy Lugg, and their children.

Steve’s wife, Cllr Cathy Lugg, has said “The family have been deeply touched by the love and support Steve received before he passed away. Steve was so proud of Ferndown and its community, and campaigned tirelessly for its causes. He had a highly developed sense of duty and had a special skill at motivating those around him to do more for the community. He was a loving family man and we will miss him dearly”.

Steve was the 36th Town Mayor and First Citizen of Ferndown, elected on 21 May 2018 for the 2018-2019 municipal year. He was elected as a town councillor in October 2008, and over the last ten years had been Deputy Mayor three times. He was also a district councillor from 2011, being East Dorset District Council’s Chairman in 2015/16, and was elected to Dorset County Council in September 2016.

Steve grew up in Sherborne, Dorset before joining the Household Cavalry at 16. After leaving the army at 40, his first job was running the Adult and Community budget at Bournemouth Social Services. He became Chief Executive of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils in 2005. He was also a member of the Royal Household as a Yeoman of the Guard, of the Queen’s Bodyguard.

Steve was fully involved in the local community and was a great advocate for Ferndown. Previously he had been Chairman of East Dorset Mencap, a School Governor at Ferndown Upper School, a trustee at the Barrington Centre, and up until his death, President of the Ferndown Royal British Legion. Steve also had a great passion for live music. He was the founder of Live: Ferndown which showcased the very best of local music talent.

Town Councillors and Council staff will lower the Union Flag outside the Council Offices at the Barrington Centre to half mast at 1pm today in silent tribute to Cllr Lugg. Members of the community are welcome to attend.

There will be a public book of condolences in the Town Council’s reception area which will be given to Steve’s family.

20 July 2018
More potential housing! EDDC reviewing local plan

poster of public exhibition meeting

East Dorset District Council are currently undertaking a review of the Local Plan. The Review is identifying housing shortfall for up to 2033. So further development, if approved, would take place over place over the next 15 years. Having reviewed the options in place, the release of land for Housing is proposed for part of Dudsbury Golf Course, additional land at Holmwood Park and elsewhere in Longham to provide sites for a further 500 Homes. So, that’s over 1000 extra houses in the West Parley/Longham Area, plus the impact of any land released by Bournemouth to the North. A fair proportion of the extra traffic will inevitably come through West Parley. The Review also includes the proposed abolition of Special Character Areas, which would impact Dudsbury Road.

The Councils have updated the Housing and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), and are consulting on a revised draft SPD from Monday 16th July until Monday 3rd September.

For more information see the dates of public exhibitions and how you can make your opinions known

More information about the Local Plan Options Consultation

There will be a public exhibition at West Parley Memorial Hall on Friday 3 August 2018, 3pm - 7pm

19 July 2018
Parley youth cricket team chase National success

Parley youth cricket teams are on the verge of another national success in the T20, for the full Daily Echo article.