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An electrical fault at Lloyds TSB Bank in Bridge Street, Newbury is believed to be the cause of a fire alarm which closed the bank from 3.30pm onwards, yesterday afternoon (7th September). Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and Bridge Street was closed to all traffic for a short period.

Staff were sent home early and an engineer from Scottish and Southern was called to investigate the problem.

The Bank is expected to open as normal this morning.]]> Wed, 8 Sep 2010 09:15:53 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283859853/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283859853/#num1
On entering the property a 20-year-old woman was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice for possession of Class B drugs.

A 20-year-old man from Newbury was arrested on suspicion of burglary.

A 19-year-old man was arrested for breach of bail and breaching his ASBO.

Both men are currently being held in police custody.]]> Tue, 7 Sep 2010 12:44:13 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283417924/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283417924/#num1
Unfortunately, the permission has come too late for the summer of 2010, but Matthew told newbury.net earlier this week, that he will use the winter months to plan for spring 2011. He has to arrange for discreet holes to be drilled in the surface of the Market Place to support the canopy.

It is nearly four years, since the Piazza was completed. Several restaurants have provided al fresco on the periphery, but until now no one has taken advantage of the central area. The Market Place makeover is believed to have cost upwards of £800,000 and was constructed using a specialist team from Portugal.

The Portuguese will be returning in mid September to carry out remedial repairs to the surface which has been cracking up, particularly after the heavy frost and snow experienced last winter.

After visiting the site on 17 August 2010, the inspector, R J Yuille MSc Dip TP MRTPI allowed the appeal, making the following observations:

The Market Place is a fine space surrounded by buildings, including a number of imposing properties such as the Corn Exchange and the Town Hall. Care has clearly been taken to enhance the area with the use of granite set surfacing and carefully selected seats and street lighting.

It is however, more than just an open area. As befits a market place it is a busy area through which pedestrians, buses and taxis all pass and around its edges are a number of cafes outside which are tables and chairs set under awnings or umbrellas. Some of these are separated from the footway by temporary screens.

The proposed canopy would, by reason of its bulk, be a more prominent feature than are the umbrellas for which planning permission already exists. However, as long as the proposed canopy was of a suitable colour and finish and as long as a suitable and safe means of securing it to the surface of the Market Place could be devised – and these are both matters which could be dealt with by condition - I do not consider it would have a harmful effect on the appearance of the area.

Market places are traditionally spaces where semi permanent structures, such as is proposed, are put up and taken down as the need arises. As long as the proposed canopy would be taken down when not in use – and again this is something that could be required by way of a planning condition – it would not be out of keeping with the character of the area.]]> Thu, 2 Sep 2010 09:58:44 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283262326/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283262326/#num1
Commenting ahead of the meeting, Councillor Hunneman said “It is important to quickly establish the reason for this quite serious cracking before it gets any worse.  I will be pressing the District Council to assist in any way with the Town Council, who have taken the initiative to employ consultants to get to the bottom of the matter as soon as possible”.

The text of the question Councillor Hunneman will be asking is as follows:

The Executive Member responsible for the Newbury Vision will no doubt be aware of reports of ‘Newbury cracking up’ with damage to both Victoria Park and residents’ homes showing in recent weeks.  Will the Executive Member take leadership on this important issue to establish whether this has anything to do with water extracted in the course of developing Parkway and work with Newbury Town Council and other parties to find a way to stop this situation getting any worse?
]]> Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:45:26 Administrator http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283066035/ http://www.newbury.net/forum/forum/m-1283066035/#num1
Normal collection day          Revised collection day
Monday 30 August     will be collected on     Tuesday 31 August (one day later)
Tuesday 31 August     will be collected on     Wednesday 1 September (one day later)
Wednesday 1 September     will be collected on     Thursday 2 September (one day later)
Thursday 2 September     will be collected on     Friday 3 September (one day later)
Friday 3 September     will be collected on     Saturday 4 September (one day later)

Hilary Cole, West Berkshire Executive Councillor for the Environment, said: “Instead of storing your waste until a double collection a week or a fortnight later, these changes to the schedule makes it easier to manage your waste at home.”
Tracey Reilly, General Manager for Veolia in West Berkshire, said: “Whether it’s your waste or recycling week, give your bin a holiday for a day this week.”
Information about collection schedules is available on the Veolia Environmental Services and West Berkshire Council websites and bin hangers have been delivered to properties throughout the district.]]> Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:13:55 Administrator