A meeting was held of the Forum members to look at the requests received in the ‘You Decide’ consultation, and the money has been allocated to the things that people have asked for.  We would like your views on some of the ideas.

One of the ideas was for more benches, and we would welcome ideas for good locations for siting them.  There is also a sum of money for tree planting, and we would like suggestions for sites, either Heswall, Pensby or anywhere locally.  The final one is the painting of SLOW signs on the road where there is a problem with speeding, and we would welcome your suggestions.  Please see one of us at the end, or if you wish to go away and talk about the position and then contact Tracey Smith on 691 8026 or email traceysmith@wirral.gov.uk

Tony Garrett said that he has submitted a list for this, and fairly recently had visited Wrexham Town Centre where there are many benches along the main road, and these were being used.  There are two outside Greasby Library, and I think we should do something about the looks of Heswall, which is pretty depressed.  Maybe, one outside Linghams, one outside Tatler Estate Agents in Pensby Road, one out the church by the sandstone wall, and if there are any left over, I should like to see one under trees near the shore, which would replace the broken picnic table and the seats which have been taken away by the Council.  There is a picnic seat looking a bit dodgy, and there are two seats outside Heswall Library which need attention – they need repainting and repair.  This would be an improvement which is noted.

Cllr. Rowlands said that there are 5 trees per ward for replacement around the Borough, and 4 benches per ward.  5 Go Slow signs, and we need to find the most appropriate places to put them.  Please let us know where they are really needed.

Lady suggested Ridgewood Road, which is hazardous when you want to go into the Centre with children. A Go Slow sign would be of assistance there, but you do need to look after the trees you already have.  Some of the trees are in poor condition, there is one particularly in Kentmere Drive, which might well blow down in a bad wind.

Gentleman suggested another sign at the junction of Whaley Lane and Pensby Road as there is already a traffic problem there.  Many trees are being cut down because of disease – are they going to be replaced as well as the five additional trees?  Cllr. Wilkins agreed that quite a few trees have been removed because of a disease, some to stop the spread of the disease, and some for safety reasons.

Mr. Garrett said that some trees have been cut down, or the branches lopped off a little, which is to safeguard the new Arriva buses.  If a double decker hits them, they can cause an accident.  It is not wise to have them on a main road, such as Thingwall Road East as they require cutting every year.  Generally, they should all be maintained and pruned regularly.

Lady said she lives on Pensby Road, and they have a very large tree nearby, and in the winter they get very large branches in their garden.  When they telephone to request the trees are pruned, they are told that it will be eighteen months.  It is not worth planting if they are not going to be maintained.

Gentleman has noted, on Thingwall Road and Thingwall Road East, a number of the flowering cherry trees have been removed, and they have been spectacular, and we would like them to be replaced with the same species.

Lady said she is not quite so keen on the duck-apple trees, as the children like throwing them, which can be a nuisance.

Gentleman referred to a tree that is at the Grange Road/Pensby Road corner which obscures your vision.  The amount of traffic also coming from Whitfield Lane has increased, and there should be traffic lights, as it is extremely dangerous.  The combination of these two is very dangerous indeed.

Cllr. Wilkins said that all these would be considered.

Lady suggested that some of the road name signs which have faded over the years could be repainted.  Ideally, there should be a sign on each side of the road, if a stranger comes along, you can miss it one way if there is only one sign.  Some are faded or obscured by the hedges and trees which have overgrown.  Boathouse Lane is a good example of this.

Mark Traynor said that they are replacing the road signs, and the new  plastic road signs have been well received.

Mr. Garrett asked whether they intend to repaint or replace them with the Metropolitan Borough signs.

Mark Traynor replied that the cast signs are very popular, but if there are any old ones, they are usually replaced with the plastic ones.

John Pyke asked on the appearance of Heswall, has any further thought been given to the improvement of the rose beds outside Castle Buildings, because some of them are in an appalling state.

Cllr. Rowlands replied that this did not come up on the list, but it will be looked into.

Lady stated that people use it as a short cut, and people walk all over them and trample them down.

Lady said they have been planting roses in those beds for many years, and it does not work.

A request was made for a bench at the Thingwall Road/Whaley Lane bus stop.