New look Wyke PACT hopes to attract more people

2:35pm Wednesday 13th August 2008

• DURING the latest Wyke PACT meeting, held on Wednesday July 16 and chaired by Jak Curtis-Rendall, the following updates on issues of local concern were given.

PC Edgar has been dealing with various problems concerning youths on the roof of the Beachview Centre and also older youths using the Elveroakes Way play area.

The headteacher of All Saints has confirmed that the school has just installed upgraded external lighting which has improved lighting levels. There are no plans to improve lighting any further.

Work by the Protection Society volunteers and Weymouth and Portland has continued in Wyke Gardens.

Additional volunteers are needed to ensure this work's continuing success.

The formation of a Friends group is still being investigated.

Thankfully there have been no recent cases of antisocial behaviour in the gardens apart from some careless trampling of plants.

Residents of Bryant's Lane have been asked their opinions on traffic options down the lane. Suggestions included blocking it off to traffic, except for access or a one way system. It was also suggested a pedestrian walkway might be painted on the road.

The Camp Road and Victoria Road Traffic Schemes have been published for public comment.

Some minor vandalism has been reported at the allotments.

At the Green Lane site the boundary fence is nearly complete and a high gate on its way.

PC Edgar has been investigating fly tipping of soil at Boleyn Crescent.

The dog warden has been checking out the issue of dog fouling at Dundee Road.

Work with the Youth Club is progressing well.

The new Youth Group is holding football sessions each Saturday during the summer break on the All Saints School Field.

During the meeting a heated discussion took place concerning the problems caused by vehicles, especially buses, mounting the kerb in High Street at high speeds near the pub and thereby endangering pedestrians.

Cllr. Houllings suggested the kerb may have to be moved back, while Kate suggested a planter be placed on the corner to prevent vehicles mounting the kerb there.

It was agreed that the issue should be raised with Martyn Gallivan (W&PBC Senior Traffic Engineer) and Sureline Buses & First Buses.

It was also suggested maybe double yellow lines should be placed opposite as cars parked on the opposite side usually cause the problem to occur.

The meeting concluded with a constructive discussion concerning how Wyke PACT could and should be changed to attract more residents since the current format adopted from COPS seems not to be working at all effectively in Wyke.

As part of this reassessment the Wyke chairman will be visiting other PACT groups in Weymouth for fresh ideas and to find out what works well in other parts of the town.

Suggestions at the meeting included the introduction of a completely new format with more time for discussion, along with question and answer sessions with the police and other public figures.

The PACT priority system will now be adopted with three priorities being defined at each meeting.

Guest speakers will also be a regular feature.

It was recognised that publicity also needs to be improved to increase awareness and interest in the community.

A change of meeting location was also discussed.

Overall it was felt that Wyke PACT needs to become more interesting, relevant and pro-active in the local community, if it is to attract more people to come to the meetings, which will continue to be held every six to eight weeks.

The Wyke PACT relaunch will take place on Wednesday, September 10 at 7pm in Wyke Working Men's Club. A guest speaker will be booked, details to be announced later.

Queries and suggestions for Wyke PACT may be sent to: wyke-pact@hotmail.co.uk

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