Council Discusses Old People’s Bungalows

Twelve more bungalows for old people may be built at Rushden. The Urban Council has found a site in Wellingborough Road and at Wednesday’s meeting, Mrs. Marriott called it “ideal.”

Mrs. Marriott pointed out that the site near Caswell’s furnishing premises was close to the shops and buses.

New parking arrangements for South End were agreed to. The parking spaces – for all types of motor vehicles – will extend along portions of High Street South (north side) and Little Street (south side) and the County Council will be asked to inaugurate one-way (south-easterly) traffic in Little Street. An improvement is proposed at the junction of Little Street and Harborough Road.

Mr. F. E. Brown spoke in favour of all-the-year- round street lighting and gave notice to ask for estimates of cost. Mr. J. E. Wills was promised consideration of better lighting for Glassbrook Road in view of the number of people going to and from the Windmill Hall.

The declared withdrawal of the “Suez surcharge” led to some comments on the latest revision of United Counties bus fares, and Mr. J. E. Wills said it did not make sense when the fare from Rushden to Irchester was more on a Wollaston bus than on a Wellingborough bus.

Mr. Brown said members would note with regret that the surveyor, Mr. Alexander Millar, had tendered his resignation. They would be very sorry that he was leaving them, but would wish him well in his new appointment.

Mrs. W. M. Lean, who presided, paid tribute to the late Major Alan Marriott, of Higham Ferrers, who was a member of the council from 1937 until the last war. It was agreed to send a message of sympathy to the relatives.

The chairman mentioned that Councillor E. A. Sugars underwent a second operation on Wednesday and said he was “getting on satisfactorily.”

Draining Boards

Many draining boards in post-war council houses have had to be replaced. Steel sinks and draining boards will be installed in future houses.

The Housing Committee has in mind the building of twelve bungalows for old people on a site in Wellingborough Road.

The tender of F. and F. Windsor, Ltd at £37,283 for the erection of 20 houses and six flats at the Short Stocks site was accepted.

Tenants in The Crescent have sent a letter renewing their objection to any garages being permitted at the rear of houses in Irchester Road. Improvements to eight Trafford Road houses will be delayed because tenders were ‘far’ in excess of estimates.

Loan sanction – subject to a satisfactory tender – is now expected for the erection of ten garages near Prospect Avenue.

Sewage Works

The council’s plan for improvements at the sewage works has been modified by the Ministry, but parts excluded can be added later. The council has been asked to obtain the specific requirements of the Nene River Board in regard to the effluent.

It was decided to re-light Little Street, Alfred Street and Griffith Street at a cost of £220. The Highways Committee could not recommend a scheme for the full re-lighting of Hayway at a cost of £275, but the surveyor is to submit further suggestions, especially for roads where parking without lights is permitted.

Link Road residents have asked the council to adopt the road under the Private Street Works Act.

Application will be made for a £10,000 loan to cover Kings Road, Kings Place and Station Road (Moor Road to High Street).

The United Counties Omnibus Co., has complained of vehicles being parked in the bus bays in Wellingborough Road near Church Street and the Oakley Arms, “Bus Stop Only” is to be painted on the bays.

It was agreed to purchase part of Mason’s close allotments for housing, a road to connect Rose Avenue with Highfield Road, and a children’s playground.

Lighting Improvements

Lighting improvements at the public library are estimated to cost £120.

A library service for the residents at “Risdene” has been arranged in conjunction with the W.V.S.

Notice was received that the County Council proposes to close the junior technical school attached to the County Boot School and to introduce a one-year whole-time course for boys and perhaps girls, over 15 years of age, to provide them with training for the shoe industry.

Committees have appointed the following chairmen: Allotments, Mr. E. E. Pidd; housing, Mrs. G. Marriott; health, Mr. Alan Allebone; highways, Mr. C. Freeman; library, Mrs. A. Perkins; parks, Mr. D. Dickens; finance, Mr. F. E. Brown.

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Critics claim A6 has too much lighting

Critics of street lighting arrangements in the town suggested at Rushden Urban Council’s meeting on Wednesday that the A6 route has too much light and other streets too little.

Summer lighting was discussed following a report that full lighting during the season would involve an additional expenditure of £600. The council finally decided to continue the present plan whereby half the lamps (with at least one lamp in each street) are lit from one hour after sunset until 11.30 p.m.

Objecting that this summer lighting was worse than no lighting at all, Mrs. A. Muxlow spoke of the “black patches” it left and described a recent accident which she thoughtwould not have happened had Newton Road been lighted.

Mr. Cyril Freeman, chairman of the Highways Committee, replied that according to Mrs. Muxlow’s statement the cyclist involved in the accident was breaking the law by pushing an unlighted cycle on the road.

He said the present lighting was reasonable if motorists kept their headlights on. Regarding the A6 route, the Ministry’s grant was conditional on all-night lighting being maintained.

Pollution of the Rushden brook has been complained of at the Bedford Road end, and Mr. Alan Allebone said that although cesspools on a caravan estate appeared to have been involved through the wrong ones being emptied, there had been no complaint for two years. A second possible source of pollution was being investigated.

Demanding that the trouble should be “stamped out once and for all,” Mr. E. E. Newell said the brook was a positive danger and disgrace.

Mr. F. E. Brown complained of low water pressure at the cemetery, but Mr. Allebone replied that the tanks had never been reported dry, the pressure trouble only arising at certain periods.

An appeal for more part-time firemen was made by Mr. Brown, who recalled the excellent work of the all-volunteer fire brigade. The County Council is increasing the number of whole-time firemen at the Rushden station from 10 to 15. There are only eight part-time firemen.

Mr. Cyril Freeman announced that signposts for the Rectory Road voluntary traffic diversion were “on the way.” In connection with this scheme it was agreed to ask for “halt” signs in place of “slow” signs at the junction of Rectory Road and Queen Street.

It was decided to go ahead with changing rooms, costing £675 at Jubilee Park.

Sixty tenants of houses in the Hove Road area have petitioned about back doors which open outwards and are said to be dangerous and in need of frequent repair.

The County Council has asked if the Council would be prepared to sell land in Duck Street as a site for a health clinic.

Commenting on the decision to provide litter baskets for Cromwell Road Mr. Allebone said they would welcome any suggestion as to other places in the town where they should be provided. The Health Committee thought it would be a good idea if the people who sold litter-producing articles would provide litter baskets near their shops.

After Mr. J. E. Wills had complained of being unable to obtain certain Rent Act forms in the town, it was decided to have a small supply available at the Council Buildings.

The members stood in tribute to the late Mr. Josiah George who served on the Council from 1937 to 1946.

Mrs. W. M. lean, presiding, said that Mr. E. A. Sugars, now out of hospital, hoped to attend the September meeting.

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Council hits snag in search for bungalows site

Owners of land wanted by Rushden Urban Council as a site for old people’s bungalows have not been willing to sell, with the result that the council is now looking anxiously for an alternative site and would be glad of suggestions from the townspeople.

Mrs. G. Marriott, chairman of the Housing Committee, said at Wednesday’s council meeting that there was an urgent need for bungalows, and many applications had been received. The committee was very sorry that the plan to build in Wellingborough Road had fallen through.

It was reported that the police have interviewed six boys who broke windows at Rushden Hall by throwing stones.

Rent Fixed

The Housing Committee stated that after allowing for Exchequer subsidies, the economic net rent of houses and flats now under construction at Short Stocks estate would be 34s 9d and 21s 11d per week respectively. The net rents to be charged however, are 19s 7d and 15s 11d.

In a discussion on the pollution of the brook in Bedford Road, Mr. Alan Allebone stated, in reply to Mr. R. H. S. Greenwood, that some houses near Jubilee Park were not connected with the public sewer.

Mr. Greenwood expressed dissatisfaction when told that a copy of “1984” printed in German, found by him on the shelves of the library, had been installed for the benefit of students. He said he would raise the matter another time.

Although the Finance Committee has felt unable to oppose the United Counties Omnibus Co.’s latest application for higher fares, Mr. F. E. Brown said he hoped the public would notify the council of any anomalies they found.

After tributes by Mrs. W. M. Lean (chairman), Mrs. A. Muxlow, Mr. E. A. Sugars and Mr. Brown, the council adopted a resolution recording appreciation of the great service rendered to the town by Mr. Alexander Miller as surveyor since 1948.

House rent arrears in July were reported to be close on £150.

As back doors opening outwards get beyond normal repair they are to be replaced by doors opening inwards following complaints from tenants in Hove Road, Fenners Close and Oval Crescent.

External painting contracts for 222 houses were placed as follows: Rushden Co-operative Society (41 houses) £799; G. S. Green (32 houses) £328; Robert Marriott Ltd (92 houses) £1,486; Woolley, Buckland and Robinson (57 houses) £1,075.

The Parks Committee reported that no applications for hockey pitches had been received. Six football clubs had been allotted pitches in Jubilee Park and Spencer Park. Referring to a letter from the Rushden and District Youth Football League, the committee denied that there was a shortage of pitches in the town.

A further report of the pollution of the brook in Bedford Road mentioned that the caravan site owner had been invited to connect the drainage of the site with the public sewer.

Gas lighting is to be supplemented by electric lamps in Hayway (eight new lamps), Spencer Road (four), Glassbrook Road (six), and Midland Road (three).

It was learned that the County Council proposes to improve the junction of Wellingborough Road and Northampton Road by erecting a bollard on an island refuge.

Introduction of the southbound traffic diversion scheme it was reported will proceed when possession is obtained of a small portion of land at the corner of station approach.

Books added to the public library stock will in future be fitted with plastic jackets.

The tender of Mr. C. Wills, Wellingborough, at £840 for the erection of dressing rooms in Jubilee Park was accepted.

The General Purposes Committee reported it had raised no objection to the United Counties Omnibus Company’s fares.

The appointment of Mr. John Wade, of Oswestry, as additional Public Health Inspector was reported.

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11th October 1957

New park will hold up to 100 vehicles

A new car park which, though not complete, will hold up to 100 cars, was introduced to motorists at Wednesday’s meeting of Rushden Urban Council. It is in Duck Street, almost opposite the foot of College Street.

Mr. Cyril Freeman, chairman of the Highways Committee,explained that work had been suspended pending the erection of a sewage pumping station on the site.

“We shall be grateful,” he said, “if motorists who have been leaving their cars in the adjoining streets will use this new car park.”

In view of the present interest rates, the Finance Committee asked all committees to review all schemes involving capital expenditure and not yet commenced.

Mr. F. E. Brown, who suggested that the building of garages was the kind of project to defer – possibly for six months – said firm offers of loans had been unobtainable from brokers. It was hoped to rely on the bank for a time.

Rates of interest on local loans to the council were fixed at seven per cent, (up to three years) and 6½ per cent, (3-5 years).

Footpath reconstruction will continue to be held up as the result of a report from the divisional road engineer, who says that, having regard to present financial restrictions, the condition of the paths would not justify the granting of loan sanctions.

Five “Halt” signs are being erected at junctions with Rectory Road, but the divisional road engineer does not favour one in Queen Street on the east side of Rectory Road, where there is already a “Slow” sign. There was laughter when Mr. Freeman said: “To save time the committee decided to go ahead, but in the light of experience we shall complain later.”

Mr. C. G. Faulkner, asking for better lighting in King’s Road, was told that no funds are available.

Council tenants whose rent arrears exceed £5 will be interviewed by the Housing Committee unless extenuating circumstances exist.

It was reported that tenants had been selected for 11 bungalows at Cherry Orchard, 12 one-bedroom flats at Short Stocks, and four three-bedroom type houses as accommodation becomes available.

Council house rent arrears recently amounted to £148.

Still seeking sites for bungalows, the Housing Committee has been told by the County Council the Rushden Youth Committee has definite plans to use the land adjoining Moor Road School.

Erection of 42 garages on the Upper Queen Street estate has now been sanctioned by the Ministry. The cost for brick garages would be £7,400, but the Housing Committee is now considering prefabricated buildings.

Trees in Highfield Road and Chester Road are to be thinned out.

The Highways Committee reported that work on the construction of the car park in Duck Street, near College Street, had been temporarily suspended pending the construction of a sewage pumping station and sewer on the site. The committee has arranged a temporary access and for the time being is limiting the weight of commercial vehicles using the park to one ton unladen.

The cost of laying a sewer in advance of land development in the St. Margaret’s Avenue, Hall Avenue and Manor Road area is estimated at £3,200.

Members and chief officers of the council are to be insured against claims for libel and slander.