JERICHO ECHO ARTICLE
December 1983
I have been asked to report on the activities of the Jericho Residents' Association over the past year. Well, it's been very much of a pattern with previous years. At last 50% of our time is spent on planning permissions. This year has seen a crop of applications to set up restaurants in Walton Street; we must have opposed four or five of them in the last twelve months.
The other most frequent applications ar& for conversion to multi-occupancy. Here we have been less successful for (despite the guide lines in the Local Development Scheme which say that such conversions should be controlled) there always seem to be special reasons why certain applications should be passed. All we can do is report the worst cases of overcrowding, noise or litter to the Environmental Health Department. In other fields we can claim some victories.
Cardigan Street: The new name plates are up. Four years it's taken! Four years of debate as to whether we have an Upper and Lower Cardigan Street or whether the east end should be called King Street. Commonsense won in the end and it stays Cardigan Street so no one has had their address changed and the rating authorities and the Gas Board and the Electora.1 Register and all the rest of them have not had to change their computers either. A notice now tells strangers that 'Cardigan Street continues beyond the school' which was really all that was wanted. Visitors' Parking Permits; This is something residents have been asking for ever since the double yellow lines were first drawn. It seems to be working very well.
Cycle Parking: Another long standing problem and we are glad to report that the City Engineer is now taking the matter seriously and plans to provide more cycle parks within Jericho. They are also talking to Worcester College about parking bikes inside the College grounds (while police lare being asked to take firmer action against indiscriminate parking).
Walton Crescent: The JRA have reluctantly, supported the application to make this one-way (west to east) to stop cars driving straight across from Little Clarendon Street and parking in the residents' spaces. On the whole we oppose any suggestions of street closure but we do appreciate the problems for the residents who cannot park their cars and who are wakened in the small hours by slamming doors and revving engines as late night diners and cinema goers go home. extent of coming down to the Council offices with you if you want support. You only have to ask.
The JRA has also been involved in two other matters of major concern to Jericho. Firstly in helping draft the constitution for the new St. Barnabas and Jericho Institute so that we can get the council grant to pay for the restoration of the Institute. Secondly in setting up the public meetings between the residents and the South Midland Bus Company. Finally, on a more personal level, we have been able to help a number of individuals over complaints of pollution, inconsiderate neighbours, parking problems etc. This really is one of our most important jobs. We cannot 'do' much but we can tell you how to go about getting your voice heard and we
Author: Christine Cowham