• Road diversions for building of new cinema

 
Drivers in central Newbury should make a note that diversions will be in place from Monday (28 Jan) as work begins that will pave the way for a new cinema. Before construction of the cinema can start, Thames Water needs to relocate a sewer that runs under the development site - the current Cheap Street surface level car park.

In order to do this, Market Street and Cheap Street will have to be closed to through traffic from 28 January for up to eight weeks, although it is hoped work can be completed earlier. Shops and other firms will be open for businesses as usual throughout the closure period. (A map of the road works is available as a download on the link above).

The road closures mean there will be no access for southbound vehicles down Cheap Street beyond its junction with Bear Lane. Vehicles coming into Cheap Street south from the railway station end, will be able to go only as far as the junction with Market Street. Vehicles eastbound along Market Street will have access as far as the ramp to the Kennet Centre but no further.

There will be extensive signage on the approaches to Newbury, and within the town, to alert drivers to the closure and diversions. Pedestrian access to shops and businesses in Market Street and Cheap Street will be maintained at all times. Essential access will also be available for deliveries to businesses and to private car parks in the closure zone whenever possible.

The closure of the Mall Cheap Street surface level car park will be amply compensated for by the spaces available in neighbouring car parks.

Updates will be issued should the roads be able to re-open earlier.

The work by Thames Water will not affect water supplies or drainage in any way.

The cinema should be ready to open its doors by the end of 2009.

• Introduction
   
  There are two part-time Neighbourhood Watch Administrators covering West Berkshire and based at Newbury Police Station.
  Debbie Moreton covers Newbury and the Hungerford Police Sector and Romy Freiburghaus covers Thatcham and the Pangbourne Police Sector.
  
  In West Berkshire we are keen to encourage more Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) and other Watch schemes to be set up.
  
  Neighbourhood Watch is about people working together to make their communities safer, bring back community spirit that is lacking in some areas and help people protect themselves. At the same time, you feel secure, knowing your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property. Even small pieces of information can help the Police complete a jigsaw and catch a criminal. All over the country active NHW schemes have reduced crime rates by working with each other and the Police.
  
  Getting to know and helping your neighbours, especially the elderly, re-creates a community spirit. The more scheme that can be started, the more we as part of a large organisation can help combat crime and make the community a safer place to live.
  
  Neighbourhood Watch schemes can cover 4-40 households, but it is best to decide on a number that you are able to easily pass information on to. Messages can be received by phone, fax or e-mail. We need people to be prepared to act as the Co-ordinator and have a deputy or other people willing to help deliver messages in their road. Messages are sent out by the Neighbourhood Watch Administrators, Debbie Moreton and Romy Freiburghaus, via the Ringmaster system at Newbury Police Station. You will receive crime information on say distraction burglaries, rogue traders, crime in your area, vehicles that the Police are trying to trace and various other useful information.
  
  Other advantages of being in a NHW scheme are that you are able to get discounts on household insurance from most Insurance Companies and obtain local discounts from companies, such as Jewsons, on all the building and security products that they stock. To receive these discounts, account numbers need to be quoted.
  
  If you would like to find out more about setting up a scheme, please telephone 01635 264718 .
   

Neighbourhood Action Group Members required for the Downlands

We are looking to recruit two Neighbourhood Watch representatives from the Downlands Area, to become NAG members. It would be desirable to have a member from each end of the Downlands to provide wider representation.

The purpose of the group is as follows:
A Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) is a multi agency problem solving group consisting of relevant partner agencies, key stakeholders, but most importantly members of the local community. Each partner agency, key stakeholders and those members of the community on the NAG will bring different skills and knowledge to the group enabling a more cohesive plan of action, which is in the interest of resolving the priorities identified by the community. They are all brought together to plan and action the main concerns identified by the local community. By focusing on those concerns this will improve community safety, reassurance and reduce crime and disorder.

A consultation process is currently underway throughout the fourteen parishes in the Downlands area and this has included a public meeting, school questionnaires and door knock exercises. When the consultation is complete, the main priorities (as identified by the community) will be discussed at the NAG meeting. A problem solving process will take place to > help resolve the issues.
 

We are looking to identify NAG members who represent all areas of the community which could include Business, Schools, Youth Service, Resident's, Local Authority/District Councillor, Neighbourhood Watch and Neighbourhood Policing. The members of the NAG will meet every 2 months to assist with the problem solving process.

Any interested parties please send me an E-mail. I look forward to meeting you.
Yours Faithfully
PC Nick Evans 5130 (Neighbourhood Specialist Officer)

Thatcham NPT
Thatcham Police Station
E-mail: nicholas.evans@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk