Please see Highways and Traffic  for details of closures on:

  • A43 M1 J15a to M40 J10 starting 29th July 2024
  • A508 road closure: 14th -18th Oct from 8pm to 6am
  • A508 road closure: 21st -25th Oct 8pm to 6am
  • Stoke Road, Blisworth (section adjacent to the canal).  2nd – 6th December 2024.

Ways to keep in touch:

Like and follow our page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/BlisworthParishCouncil/  to receive regular updates and information.

Contact Us: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com       0798 3233501

Council Meetings: First Monday of the month, 7:30 pm at the Village Hall, Stoke Rd, Blisworth.  We’d love for you to join us because your opinion really counts and your input helps guide the Parish Council in the right direction.

Blisworth Parish Council Newsletter No 159 Oct-Nov

SAVE THE DATE:  Meeting with Sarah Bool MP: Friday, 11 October 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Village Hall, Blisworth.

Sarah Bool, our new MP, has accepted an invitation to meet with us. Blisworth Parish Council would like to focus on:

a ) Warehousing and the proposed development on Northampton Road which will use the village as its main access route.

b) The new Roade bypass which now signposts increasing traffic through Blisworth.

We will be seeking Sarah’s support and would like to invite residents to attend to show her, both your strength of feeling regarding these two issues and your support for the parish council’s efforts.  We anticipate that her time will be limited, so there is unlikely to be much time for open debate or questions, but your support and presence will be greatly appreciated.

See WNC Information and Notices for information about Cost of Living, Fix My Street and other notices.

The Police are appealing for information after a Moduland Mini-Mobile Handling Trailerwas stolen near to, Blisworth, Northampton.  The theft occurred overnight between 02/09/2024 and 03/09/2024 – 11pm to 4pm.  The trailer looks similar to the one pictured below. Did you witness anything? Did you see anyone or any vehicle(s) in the area that looked suspicious? If so, then please contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting ref: 24000525990. Alternatively you can report online here.  You can also pass on information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Blisworth Young Parish Councillors   –  Have your say!

Blisworth Baptist Church – Chapel Lane, Blisworth

4TH FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH

 https://www.facebook.com/1BYPC/

Blisworth Young Parish Council starting January.  Opportunity to join the team 11-17 yrs.  Empowering young people in Blisworth to have their say and be heard.

   

DO YOU LOVE LIVING IN OR WORKING IN BLISWORTH?

JOIN OUR PARISH COUNCIL

  • We need someone who wants to make a difference.
  • We need someone that is passionate about the village.
  • We need someone that can turn their ideas into actions.
  • We have a vacancy just waiting to be filled by YOU.
  • Contact the clerk: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.Group of diverse councillors
  • You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Blisworth for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
  • The role of Parish Councillor is unpaid however training and support is provided.  Our current Parish Councillors are an enthusiastic and friendly group and you would be very welcome to join them.
Northamptonshire Talking Logo
Police Beat Bus proposed visit dates to Blisworth, Royal Oak carpark:
27 March – 3pm to 4pm
19 June – 3pm to 4pm
11 Sept – 3pm to 4pm
4 Dec – 3pm to 4pm
Note that dates are subject to change depending on operational requirements.
Blisworth Parish Council Surgery

We will continue to host informal surgery sessions where councillors will be present at the Blisworth Baptist Church for discussion on any parish issues. It will be a great opportunity to join us for a chat and air any concerns over a cup of coffee and maybe a bit of cake!  We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baptist Church and the free use of their facilities to further support our local community.  Council Surgery sessions are on the second Tuesday of each month  (10:30 – 12:00).  If you are concerned about the traffic issues in the village or have any other worries please come and have your say. 

 Community Speed Watch group – Help to slow the traffic

Community Speed Watch.JPG

We need to persuade the various representatives on the consultation panels for the Safer Roads Team that the residents are trying to do all they can to make Blisworth’s roads safer for the residents.   This is the first step to getting  the Police and Highways to do their bit, for example agreeing to the 20 mph zone and lower speed limits in other areas of the village.

Thank you to the residents from Blisworth, we now  have 12 volunteers and one resident has now kindly agreed to be the coordinator.   BPC have contacted the Police and we have been informed that the only available slot is March 2024 but at least we are on the waiting list so we can prove to the consultation panel that it is in hand and we are raring to go!

We could always do with standby volunteers so please can you contact the Clerk 07983233501 or blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.

To be eligible to join the scheme each community will need at least 12 volunteers: (All training will be provided).

  • one co-ordinator
  • one deputy co-ordinator
  • 10 volunteers

If you live on a road in Blisworth that has speeding issues, please contact the Clerk and volunteer to join.

Please note it is imperative that we have a co-ordinator and a deputy co-ordinator otherwise the Police will not agree to providing the training or the equipment to set up the group.

HGV stuck in High StBlisworth Parish Council asked for a meeting with representatives from West Northants Council, Highways and the Police to discuss the traffic issues in the village.  They agreed to attend the Parish Council meeting on  Monday, 2nd October 2023.

Thank you to all the residents that attended.  The minutes to the meeting have now been published (Minutes for October-2-2023) and sent to all the representatives that attended the meeting, with the reminder that now they need to work together to resolve the traffic issues in Blisworth.  Blisworth Parish Council will continue to correspond with all the representatives that attended the meeting to ensure that there is action as agreed at the meeting.

This meeting was in response to a letter sent by Blisworth Parish Council  raising concerns regarding the ongoing traffic issues through the village. The letter has been sent for the attention of:

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northants Council
Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom, Conservative MP for South Northamptonshire
Ian Rigby, Director Technical Development, National Logistics SEGRO
Scott Martin, Project Director Civils & Infrastructure WINVIC
Nick Henstock, Assistant Director for Highways
Sam Simons, Kier (Highways) West Northamptonshire council
Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, West Northamptonshire Council
Stephen Mold, Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner
Please see below the letter from Blisworth Parish Council about the increasing traffic issues in Blisworth and the very grave concern regarding the impact of this traffic on the subsiding section of Stoke Road in Blisworth village.

Massive HGV warehouse development on land west of Northampton Road (Planning Application WNS/2022/1134/MAO).

Please continue to upload your objections, if possible we need 1000 objections.

We wanted to bring this application to residents’ attention again because there have been some amendments to the original planning application and if we do not respond, it may well be agreed.  As stated in the last R&A, the plans include approx. 50 HGVs loading/waiting bays, 110 plus car parking spaces and 16 HGVs per hour through the village!  In an amendment, it was suggested that a ‘routing system’ will stop vehicles accessing the village.  They will advise drivers that they will not be allowed to go through the village, but they have not stipulated who will monitor the HGVs or what fines, if any, will be applied.  WNC and the Police do not have the power or labour to monitor the routes that the HGVs use nor will the Police have any legal powers to enforce any recommendations the developer suggests.  Therefore the reality is that all these HGVs will pass through the village.  BPC has resubmitted another comprehensive objection but we need residents to individually submit objections.  Though this proposed development will devalue your property and reduce your ability to sell, the planning committee are not allowed to consider these points in its deliberations.

However, as a resident you can submit an objection and highlight that:

  • Already, each time there is an issue with either the A43, A508 or M1, there are significant increases in traffic flows through the village from c5,000 to c9,000 vehicles daily and queuing traffic is now being regularly witnessed up Towcester Road onto the A43 and on the A43 lay-by to turn right into Blisworth, in addition to tailbacks of traffic along Northampton Road beyond the railway bridge, at peak hours.
  • Even if, as the developer now suggests, their HGVs will not be able to access the village, then the only route will be Northampton Road but there is not the capacity for this type or increased volume of traffic. It will cause chaos at the Tesco/Mereway roundabout and through Milton Malsor and Collingtree.
  • Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Transport has recently agreed that the Gateway, rail-freight terminal can begin operations ahead of ensuring that the rail-freight terminal is operational, leading to further traffic on all routes around the village.
  • The original application stated that the location was ideally suited due to the road links with the A43, A508 and M1 but there simply isn’t the capacity on the Blisworth roads for a new development of this type and magnitude.
  • The increase in traffic will significantly undermine the buildings in the Conservation area, many of which, by nature of their age, have issues with their foundations.
  • Any further increase in traffic along Northampton Road and through the village will increase traffic fumes and noise pollution.
  • Already children and the elderly in the village cannot safely navigate the roads due to the speed and quantity of traffic.
  • This proposed development will significantly reduce the quality of life of residents in the village.
  • If you have photographic evidence to show the amount of traffic on the Northampton Road or through the village, please include these in your letter/email.
  • BPC have suggested that to ensure that HGVs from this proposed development cannot pass through Blisworth, the physical design of the access should be amended to include a traffic island so that it is physically impossible for HGVs to turn right towards Blisworth when leaving the site or turn left from Blisworth to enter the site. Appropriate signage on the site and on the approaches should also be provided. We urged that these measures should be made a condition attached to any planning consent.

Even if you do not live on the main routes, please consider writing to support your fellow residents.   Remember also, the above, are a few points that you can include, but it is important that you make the letter your own and do not simply copy and paste these points. To submit your objection type in the address: https://wnc.planning-register.co.uk/Planning/Display/WNS/2022/1134/MAO and select COMMENT ON THIS APPLICATION, or write to: Mr Daniel Callis, Principal Planning Officer – Major Projects Team, West Northants Council, The Forum, Moat Lane, Towcester, Northants NN12 6AD. Quote Planning application no. WNS/2022/1134/MAO Land west of Northampton Road.

Police & Neighbourhood Watch Scheme:

The Neighbourhood alert system has been renamed “Northamptonshire Talking”.   Regular updates about local crime and matters of priority within South Northants are on Neighbourhood Alert www.northamptonshireneighbourhoodalert.co.uk/.

There is a coffee catch up planned at the Blisworth Community Cafe (Blisworth Baptist Church) on 29 August 2023 at 10:00am where the Community Support Officer PCSO will be present.  Cllr Read will be attending and all are welcome.

Works at the Closed Cemetery, Blisworth
Blisworth Parish Council would also like to thank the volunteers that help to maintain the individual gravestones and are helping to maintain the Closed Cemetery.  Hopefully we can start to make more progress and bring more wildflowers for the bees and butterflies of Blisworth.   If you want to join the friendly volunteer group called the ‘Graveyard Shift’, please contact the Clerk on 07983233501 or via email blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Allotments

Blisworth Parish Council currently has a number of plots that are vacant on the Parish Council allotments, off Courteenhall Road.  If you would like a relaxing place to grow your own veg or flowers, please contact the clerk.  Fees are only £10.00 per year.

S137 Grants

The parish council can award small grants of up to £500 to local groups/organisations to promote community activities in our village. Contact the parish clerk for details on Blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com or view our Policies page  and scroll down and select the BPC s137 Policy and Form document.

WNC Cost of Living Support

WNC would like to raise the awareness of  “Cost of living scams”.  Please be cautious of possible scams including fake text messages and emails relating to cost of living and energy.   For more information please visit cost of living scams.

Elections

Have you ever considered working in a Poll Station or at a Count Venue during an election and supporting the democratic process? For further details please visit: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/electoral-services/employment-opportunities-elections.

VOTER ID – You now need photo ID to vote

To view the full list of acceptable photo ID you can use to vote at a polling station, and for further information, please visit our website.  If you do not hold accepted photo ID, you can also apply for a the free Voter Authority Certificate.

www.westnorthants.gov.uk/VoterID

Farming Community Network

Here to listen and support you.  Contact the Family Community Network to speak in confidence with a sympathetic person who understands farming life.

Helpline: 03000 111 999

Email: help@fcn.org.uk  Open 7am – 11pm.

 

Public Spaces Protection Order

New Public Spaces Protection Order.
The PSPO means dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to:
  • pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
  • carry the means to pick up after their dog
  • prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
  • keep their dog on a lead when in cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, car parks, sports grounds, fields and pitches – when in use for authorised sporting activity
  • put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
  • Also restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time and prohibits smoking in: children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), and bowling greens.  You must have the appropriate means to pick up dog faeces deposited by your dog. It is recommended that you take out several bags with you so that if your dog decides to go to the toilet more than once, you are not without a bag.  Dispose of the bag correctly in either a dog waste or litter bin, or take it home and place it, suitably wrapped, in your own waste bin.  Do not dump the bag in a hedge or hang it from a branch, this is littering. Littering is also an offence and you can receive a fine of £150.

Parking and Mobility issues

Could we ask residents to be mindful of the impact on others in the village of parking on pavements/dropped curves.  This can make it extremely difficult for residents with mobility issues to move freely around  the village.

Blisworth Notice Boards

We have a number of great notice boards across the village which are there to help residents advertise local events and services. We all want our notice boards to be well kept but sometimes they get very untidy. We are fortunate that some of our volunteers will be looking after them to keep our notice boards looking great.
Any notice that is out of date, weather worn or unsuitable will be taken off.  If the notice boards are full, anything from outside the village will be removed to make room.
Notices and posters should be made secure with four pins on each corner.   Please can we remind you that staples damage the notice boards and are difficult to remove.  In the future, in order to support the volunteers that give their free time to keep the boards presentable, we will automatically remove any notices that are posted using staples.
Please could we also ask you to remove posters/notices once they are out of date as this leaves room for other residents to post up to date information.
Funding for Community Renewal

Some community groups and organisations are struggling to bounce back after the Coronavirus pandemic, and a bit of money to fund a new activity or to energise a relaunch might go a very long way.  The Janet and Bryan Moore Trust is a local charity which is inviting applications for funding for projects that help enhance and unite local communities such as childcare, scout groups, fitness groups and churches.  Parish and town councils are not eligible bodies themselves, but if you know of, or are a member of, a community group in need of funding it might be just what you’re looking for.  Grants up to £20,000 are available.  See www.janetandbryanmooretrust.org.uk for details.

Citizens Advice Bureau – If you are worried about debt, benefits, housing or anything else – Drop in to see an advisor at the Towcester Foodbank every Tuesday 12-2pm.  Citizens Advice & Food bank

Don’t forget to contribute to the Northants Police current priorities survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/NorthantsLocalPriorities.  This is an opportunity for you to let Northants Police know about our concerns regarding  traffic and speeding in the village and hopefully this will inform the Police that  road safety is a priority for our village.

Police & Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (helping to prevent and detect crime and anti-social behaviour).  If residents would like to receive notifications direct, you can register with: www.northamptonshireneighbourhoodalert.co.uk/

Yet more warehousing developments
Blisworth Parish Council has been approached on behalf of the Harworth Group, who is preparing proposals to create new employment space off Junction 15 of the M1, near Collingtree in Northamptonshire.
The proposals include six industrial units, delivering 1.64 million sq. ft of logistics space.
We would be interested in residents’ views on this proposal.

 WE STILL NEED YOU!  Parish Councillor Vacancies

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the Parish of Blisworth following the resignation of Cllr K. Cooper.  Cllr Cooper will continue as our District Councillor.

If you feel you would like to get involved in making decisions about your local community, local issues and make a significant contribution to the area in which you live or work, then this is the position for you!  Do you have an interest in your local environment, local transport, local government finances, amenities, planning and housing issues, community events, anti-social behaviour and policing, and want to make a difference then please apply!

  • You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Blisworth for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
  • Any elector can identify a potential councillor and nominate candidates for election and have the right to elect a councillor who represents their interests.
  • The role of Parish Councillor is unpaid however training and support is provided.  If you are interested please contact the Parish Clerk on blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Support to elderly residents

Northamptonshire Age UK provides support to elderly residents with a wide range of services including domestic cleaning, gardening, handy person, carer sittings service, day care at home, information and advice.  For more information please call 01604 611200 or email access@ageuknorthants.org.uk or visit www.ageuknorthants.org.uk.

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Grass cutting

Residents with any questions, concerns or issues about grass cutting in the village please could you contact the Clerk of the Parish Council and not the contractors that way we can make sure issues are logged and tracked.  Blisworth Parish Council:  blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com


Blisworth is a thriving, picturesque village in South Northamptonshire situated 5 miles south of the county town. It has some 900 homes and an estimated population of 1870 (2010 village survey).
The West Coast Railway runs close to Blisworth and the Grand Union Canal passes through the village which extends from the famous Blisworth Tunnel, to the outlying residential areas of Blisworth Arm and Blisworth Park.
Village amenities include a primary school, a village shop with news agency and post office and two local pubs. Many small businesses surround the area, largely in discreet attractive business parks.

If you have any questions regarding the content of the website please contact the Parish Clerk in the first instance:- E-mail: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com
Only information approved by the BPC may be included on this web site.

To visit West Northamptonshire Planning Applications Register, please click the link. Click here to be directed to the WNC Planning Applications Register

Please contact the Clerk for a copy of the signed minutes.