Author Archive: Vic Johnstone
Notice of Election
Notice of election Alfreton 2023
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Town Council fury at further delays to access scheme at Alfreton Station
After accepting an invite from the Town Council, representatives from Network Rail attended the full council meeting on Tuesday evening to explain to members why there has been a further delay to the schemes to provide step free access to platform 2. Members heard how the scheme had been deferred in 2019 due to Government cuts, but had been due to start construction at the start of this year. A combination of inflationary pressures, budget challenges set by the government, and the pandemic were cited as the reasons for the most recent delays. Network Rail apologised to the Council and wider community for the latest delays.
The meeting pressed for some assurances the project would still go ahead and was advised that a design review and tendering process would consume much of this year, and with a construction period of up to nine months completion by early 2024 was now anticipated. The meeting was also informed that the agreed taxi provision by the rail companies for disabled passengers unable to reach platform 2 was not widely advertised, and that a councillor had witnessed a disabled passengers being misadvised by train staff to proceed to Langley Mill to change trains.
Councillor Scott Walker said ‘it is clear that the root cause of the delays rest with central government and I urge our local MP Nigel Mills to turn his repeated broken promises into firm action with his government colleagues. Levelling up for Alfreton has so far seen our direct London Services cut, our regional services reduced by around 35% with 48 hours notes, threats of closure to our ticket office, and promised funds for the access scheme spent in Market Harborough.” The meeting resolved to write to Gary Walsh, East Midlands Route Director for Network Rail pressing for urgent progress, and share the latest update with the Derbyshire Law Society asking them to bring litigation against Network Rail under the Equalities Act. The meeting further agreed to write to East Midlands Railway and Northern Rail seeking confirmation of their provision for disabled passengers, and details of the training provided to station and train staff for these arrangements.
Full details of the Network Rail update can be found here: Network Rail update on Alfreton Station May 2022
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Notice of Parish Meeting
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White Post Farm comes to Alfreton!
Come and join us on Saturday!
WhitePost-Farm comes to Alfreton! Mice, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Chicks, Ducklings, Reptiles, Creepy Crawlies and more! Alfreton House 10am – 2pm
Over at Alfreton Indoor Market we have the Mayors Charity Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre and FREE face painting from Chernobyl Childrens LifeLine
***Alfreton House is located on the junction of Rodgers Lane & High Street, opposite Mario’s Fish bar ***
Town Council calls for senior management changes at East Midlands Railway
At its recent meeting Alfreton Town Council considered an update on further changes to East Midlands Railway services (EMR). The meeting heard that in little under 12 months EMR had substantially reduced services to the Town, including the removal of the Towns direct London services after almost 50 years, and more recently a 35% reduction in regional services to the Town with 48 hours’ notice with mass cancelation due to operational difficulties. The meeting was also told has EMR has now twice reneged on promises to reinstate those services from the 12th of December and the 3rd of January respectively, only advising stakeholders retrospectively and was still taking bookings for travel on these withdrawn services.
Council Deputy Leader Mary Kerry told the meeting that it is apparent that East Midlands Railway have been less than transparent in their correspondence, most notably with fare paying customers, and would seemingly have an unhealthy culture in that respect highlighted by recent suggestions of a ‘slightly reduced timetable’ which has subsequently transpired to be almost 1 in 5 of their trains scheduled to call at Alfreton.
The Town Council has previously passed a vote of no Confidence the management of East Midlands Railways, and it was unanimously resolved at their recent meeting that should be extended to call for the top level of management at EMR to consider their position to allow both the culture and service to be addressed by a new team.
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF TOWN COUNCILLOR
VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF TOWN COUNCILLOR
A vacancy has occurred in the office of Town Councillor for the East Ward of Alfreton as a result of the resignation of Councillor Lyndsey Hunt-Slade.
The Town Council will fill the vacancy by co-option at their meeting on 19th October 2021.
Interested persons must fulfil the following criteria
Be registered as a local government elector for the parish or have occupied as owner or tenant, within the preceding 12 months, land or premises in the parish or
Had their principal or only place of work, during the last 12 months, within the parish or have, during the preceding 12 months, resided in the parish or within 4.8 kilometres of it
Be 18 years of age or over
Not be disqualified for holding office as a member of a local authority – the Town Council can advise you of this
If you meet the criteria and are interested in applying for co-option please contact the Joint Town Clerk David Holmes, Alfreton House, High St, Alfreton DE55 7HH which is open 9-00 to 12-30 on Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday
You can: write to that address, call in either in person or ask someone else to do so, telephone 01773 520032 (answering machine available) or you can email townclerk@alfretetontc.co.uk You will receive a straightforward application form which you are asked to complete and return. If you need any help in completing the form please inform the Town Clerk at the time of applying.
Closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday 7th October 2021 at 12 noon
Printed and published by the Town Clerk, Alfreton House, High Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 7HH