The restrictions to vehicle access to lanes on the south side of the site have been lifted. The wet weather over the winter meant that the restrictions were necessary as driving on these lanes would have caused significant damage. The Association would have needed to repair the damage and few people volunteer for this work. The recent period of weather without significant rain means that the lanes are much drier and so the restrictions could be lifted.
Thank you for your patience while the lanes have been closed. In addition, the lock on the gate nearest the railway line has been changed back to the same lock as the other gates os that access is back to normal. Please only drive on lanes when no significant damage will be caused. Check the conditions before (not after) driving on the lanes so that damage is reduced. Even though the lanes are much drier now, there is still a risk that driving heavy vehicles or driving inconsiderately may still cause damage – especially on the lane by the Post Office site. If we have significant rain we might need to close the lanes again in the next few months or over the winter months.
The lanes do not maintain themselves – volunteers do this work. The Association could employ contractors to work on site but the extra cost would result in a review of tenants annual rent. Please help the Association as much as you can. Each tenant is responsible for maintaining the allotment site directly outside their plot. This includes maintaining the plot boundary, e.g. cutting the outside of your plot hedge and keeping the base of the hedge weed free, but it also includes maintaining the lane outside the plot. Thank you to those people who do maintain the area outside their plot. It would help greatly if every tenant would cut the grass in the lane outside their plot (if the lane has grass on it), and, pick up litter and take it home for disposal. A big thank to those people who do more than their fair share of cutting the grass on lanes, litter picking and hedge cutting outside of plots that are not their own. The Association relies on these people to maintain the site and this was reflected in the Council inspection this year. Let me know if you do want to volunteer to do more for the Association. The Association decides what surface it wants for lanes on the site (roadstone or grass) and this impacts how repairs are done. Roadstone was ordered so that potholes on the site could be fille. However this was just before the Government’s Covid 19 guidance was issued. This meant that the roadstone was not delivered. The Association will arrange the delivery and repair the potholes as soon as possible. In the meantime, tell me if you are thinking about repairing the lanes or potholes, digging drains or using pesticides on communal areas etc, before you do any anything so I can agree the work in advance. Thank you for your help in maintaining our lanes.
Dave
Secretary Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association
