SAPHRA
The residents’ association for Sopwell Lane, Albert Street, Pageant Road, Hart Road, The Ryder Seed Mews Estate, Saracens Head Yard, Pearce’s Walk and Keyfield Terrace
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Notes of SAPHRA Meeting held on Tuesday 08 March 2022 at 8pm
at the Hare and Hounds pub, Sopwell Lane
1. Present: Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary
Cllr Jacqui Taylor
In addition : 2 residents of Albert Street
1 resident of Saracens Head Yard
3 residents of Sopwell Lane
4 residents of Hart Road
2 residents of Pageant Road
3 guests from Old London Road
2. Apologies for absence: 6 residents
3. Subjects discussed at the meeting were:
- Finances and bank account:
Anthony advised (by email) that SAPHRA’s account with HSBC had been closed and their cheque for the balance was awaited. When it is received a new account will be opened with a friendlier bank.
Our available funds are £381.28.
- Herts County Council trial - Active Travel Scheme - Safe Cycle Route:
A temporary roadblock will be placed at the junction of Sopwell Lane, Albert Street and Old London Road to enable a trial of a cyclist friendly route from the city station to the town centre. We don’t know when this will happen. Feelings were mixed with some opposed to the initiative and some in favour. HCC will be seeking further feedback once the trial has started. For more information and maps follow the link below: - https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/d398ab88e56b4461a033343e36148574?item=3
- On-street parking and the proposed pinch-point in Sopwell Lane:
Cllr Jacqui Taylor is still waiting for council officers to develop the parking proposals for parking Zones M and N. She assured the meeting that the work is still in progress.
- Herts County Council - High Street Recovery Trial:
Trials of various combinations of closures of Market Place, High Street, George Street and Verulam Road will be taking place this year. Traffic and pollution surveys will take place before and during the trials so that the impact of the closures can be assessed. If you wish to find out more information about the scheme and view maps please follow this link and click on St Albans:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/highways-roads-and-pavements/news-and-campaigns/coronavirus-temporary-town-changes.aspx
- St Albans District Council Community Governance Review:
The review is to enable the District Council to consider what, if any, changes are needed to parish/town council arrangements following recent changes to Ward boundaries. There is also a possibility of creating a City Council to cover the unparished area in the centre of the District. If you want to find out more about the review and view relevant maps detailing the different parishes across the district, please follow this link:
https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/community-governance-review
More…
- St Albans District Council proposals for the City Centre Opportunity Site North and Culture:
A consultation has started about a proposal to build a new theatre with underground parking on the site of the present car park situated behind the Arena. A large communal garden space would be created on the site of the current theatre, the whole being funded through the creation of living accommodation. If you would like to find out more about the proposals please follow this link:
https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/news/ambitious-move-replace-alban-arena-new-culture-venue-unveiled
- The green oasis in Sopwell Lane:
A meeting has been arranged between Heidi Carruthers (Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust) and a small working party of SAPHRA residents to discuss possible planting options for the green oasis, which had recently been nominated through Wilder Spaces to be cultivated and maintained or left as grassland.
- Damage in Albert Street Car Park:
St Albans District Council have been notified about the damaged retaining wall at the back of one of the CPZ car parks in Albert Street. It has been added to a list of necessary repairs.
- Replacement tree in Keyfield Terrace Car Park:
A second new tree (a replacement for a new planting that died) has been planted in the boundary of the Keyfield Terrace Car Park. SAPHRA has agreed to water the tree if a dry spell endangers it this summer.
- Blue Plaques St Albans:
A letter from Tim Boatswain (Chair of Blue Plaques St Albans) was presented to the meeting. Information about a newly unveiled plaque, and others which will follow, can be found on the Civic Society website through this link:
https://www.stalbanscivicsociety.com/blueplaques
- The next SAPHRA meeting will be held on Tuesday 03 May 2022. Venue to be advised.