Another resident said fencing should not actually be necessary in terms of safety, as many other parts of town had busy roads without barriers, adding: “The kids just jump over it anyway. You don’t need a fence to stop children walking in the road if you teach them road safety.” “If our customers prefer to […]
Another resident said fencing should not actually be necessary in terms of safety, as many other parts of town had busy roads without barriers, adding: “The kids just jump over it anyway. You don’t need a fence to stop children walking in the road if you teach them road safety.”
“If our customers prefer to have the barriers removed, we will do so as each section rots. We will continue to provide the grounds maintenance service for these grassed verges, bushes and trees.
“But it all starts with a conversation, and at the moment it’s one side talking to itself,” said one resident.
“We have looked into the costs of repair and this would be in the region of £40,000. Therefore, each household would be required to pay £800 for one year, which equates to £66 per month to cover the costs.
“The knee rail does prevent people from parking on the grass area, which can soon look unsightly when churned up from vehicle damage, and it also defines a point where the grass area and the road starts, so it might deter young children from running out onto the road.”
One resident told the Packet: “I think it’s ridiculous to ask everybody to pay it. I don’t know how many they thought would, or will, say yes.”
“With this in mind, we wanted to consult with customers to see if they wish to have the barriers replaced or removed.
“Coastline, as a Registered Charity and Provider of Social Housing, has to consider whether they should be replaced as part of ensuring we focus our resources on providing housing and related services.
Another said: “My wife brought me the letter and said, ‘Have a read of this, you won’t believe it’. I started reading it and I thought ‘You’re having a laugh!’”
The land on which they sit is owned by Coastline Housing, which also manages a large number of the properties as social housing, although others have been bought privately under the right-to-buy scheme.
They would like to see either parking spaces formed between the trees – possibly via eco-mats, to formalise the spaces and prevent the grass getting churned up – or even just laybys created.
“The total cost of work is divided by the number of homes in an area to give an amount per property. Some properties were sold many years ago before the transfer to Coastline without the ability to charge owners. In these cases, Coastline has to pay that share of the cost.
What’s more, they had just over two weeks to decide if they could find the money and respond in agreement, or do nothing and most likely see the barriers removed.
It appeared to be the general consensus of residents who spoke to the Packet on Monday, with one explaining: “It’s just bemusement that people could be expected to produce that sort of money.”
Additionally, a number of residents have Motability vehicles, which are being replaced with electric vehicles – and say they will need somewhere to park and charge them.
Now the future of the wooden fencing along Trengrouse Way is decidedly uncertain, with the ageing barriers already rotting from the bottom and some sections now missing altogether.
“The cost of maintaining communal areas like these verges is paid for by residents through service charges as part of the original transfer agreement with the council.
The deadline for returning the slip was given as Wednesday, January 23 (although this is actually Thursday).
Mike Thomas, Cornwall Councillor for Helston North, has written to Coastline Housing on behalf of residents and suggested that if the provider could not fund the scheme from rental revenue then it could apply for funding from other agencies, such as the National Lottery, Good Growth – Shared Prosperity Funds and other programmes that offer funding to green landscaping projects.
The Packet contacted Coastline Housing to raise the question about parking and ask whether it would extend the consultation deadline in order to have a wider conversation.
However, residents claim everyone living on the road received a letter, whether they were tenants or private owners.
A spokesperson for Coastline Housing told the Packet: “As the barriers along Trengrouse Way are decaying they need to be removed or replaced so they do not become unsafe.
Currently there is nowhere to park during the day, with parking restrictions in place Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Even those with a Blue Badge can only park up to three hours.
“While we are always happy to hear ideas on how these areas can be best used, what we do will always be determined by what funding is available and most importantly by the choices our customers make.”
“Coastline is a Registered Charity and Not for Profit, and therefore we are unable to replace this fencing, as our funds must be reinvested into the maintenance and improvement of our homes.
While not addressing the issue directly, a representative did say Coastline was “always happy to hear ideas on how these areas can be best used” – also noting that any decision would be dependant on funding and “the choices our customers make.”
