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  SANDFORD ON THAMES  
VILLAGE APPRAISAL

COMMENTS
SECTION E




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Village Appraisal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
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Village Appraisal
Comments and Suggestions - section E


With many people having interesting things to say, we have received over 790 comments and suggestions which has resulted in a fairly long list. A reasonable attempt has been sorted them in to the various topic areas contained in the questionnaire. For completeness all comments have been included, even those of a more general nature, but note that some can refer to more than one topic area.
The following sections are given as an index:

  STATS  SECTIONCOMMENTS
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  General Information  
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  Housing & Development
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l       C      r
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  Working Life  
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l       D      r
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Traffic, Travel & Transport
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l       E      r
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  Environment  
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l       F      r
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  Village Life  
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l       Y      r
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  Young Voices  
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Each comment also has a "stats" link back to its original question.






SECTION E - Environment



E1. The village looks very attractive when you enter it.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. [Data entry note: question has been changed to read:] "the village looks attractive 'enough' when you enter it"
  2. We moved to Oxford from London - so we find the environment incredibly clean & green!
  3. Village would be more attractive if people if peoples cars were not in main road
  4. Beautiful spots, but coming into Village from Littlemore. Trees and open spaces spoilt by Village Hall,. and a few messy Houses. Coming from Catherine Wheel end, Great hideous Garage. Coming by Boat, Hideous Pub at Lock.
  5. Kings Arms could smarten up their Garden and Car Park. Henley rd Garage could Plant attractive Hedges to screen 2nd hand
  6. The area is becoming tatty and owners should tidy up their properties. Hedges to be cut back and trees.
Suggestions
  1. The parking area on the Kennington side of the river is often an eye-sore and liaison with the relevant responsible authority should keep it clear and the nearby paths more accessible.
  2. Grass verges could have spring bulbs planted in Henley rd
  3. Banks in Church Rd could be kept back of the Pavements.



E2. Litter is a problem in our area of the village.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. As I clear it up !!
  2. Litter is a problem all over the village
  3. Litter - rec ground
  4. There is a problem with young people congregating and leaving litter (we would notice it a lot more if it were Jane Ford devoting a lot of time to clearing it up). Broken glass is always a problem on the recreation ground,
  5. "not a great problem"
  6. Park is unsafe for Children. Empty Beer cans/Broken bottles
  7. Litter problem. Litter dumped on grass verges by passing traffic. Paths and Roads in poor condition.
  8. The amount of litter, particularly on Henley Road around Littlemore Hospital



E3. We should make more of the village's green spaces.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Fight to keep the green belt
  2. [Data entry note: comment added to question:] "and protect them from development"
  3. I would suggest, if possible that any green areas in the centre of Sandford around the church and village hall are made 'village greens' through council (if not already) to protect them from being changed or built on in the future by council protect them.
  4. Access for push chairs over stiles etc
  5. Preparation of changes to green Belt.
  6. further Appraisal of Green Spaces.
  7. Green spaces for Wildlife.
  8. what does "we should make more" (of green spaces) mean?
  9. More wildlife friendly green open spaces
Suggestions
  1. Village green has no heart or soul. A sheltered place to sit would also help.



E4. There should be more flower and shrub beds.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. There should be more flower beds in the village.



E5. The opening of the Kassam Stadium has made very little difference to the village.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. You can always tell when a football match is on
  2. Having not lived here long & coming from London (via Headdington) we are rather spoilt by life here and perhaps have a rather rose-tinted view. We came here at the same time as the Kassam stadium and like being able to hear goals scored!
  3. The cinema is a great plus
  4. Not in village before opening.
  5. traffic increased



E6. The leisure complex development will cause more nuisance for the village.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. But have already enjoyed lunching at grill and v. good film, very comfortable and conveniently anticipate further restaurants an advantage others will enjoy other aspects
  2. We do not know.
  3. We find the nearby cinema an improvement.



E7. Smoke from bonfires, chimneys or barbeques is a problem where we live.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Bonfires are a problem / BBQ is acceptable



E8. Street lighting in our area of the village is very good.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Bad on Henley Rd / Church Rd
  2. Need more street lighting on main road
  3. Street lighting - "what's that?"
  4. [Data entry note: comment added to question:] "orange lighting is awful though
  5. Bad patch on Littlemore side of brook bridge to Orchard house, and another Rock Farm Lane up crescent to Fox, when Fox is closed
  6. It is orange and horrible, and spoils the night sky.
  7. Any further lighting should not be a source of light pollution (see http//:www.darksky.org)
Suggestions
  1. Lighting and pathways on Henley Rd from bridge to village needs improving



E9. The village needs a more 'green' approach to maintenance.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Glass recycling in Recycling Scheme
  2. Periodic Collection of Green Rubbish is a Blessing
Suggestions
  1. Skip for Garden waste reqd



E10. Noise pollution is a problem where we live.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. The Four Pillar's Fireworks and the disco boats keep me awake.
  2. There are frequently motor bike riders who ride on the field between Fox Furlong, Heyford Hill house, and the ring road. They cause a noise pollution which is extremely unpleasant. This should be stopped.
  3. Have ongoing problems with scramble bikes on field behind Fox Furlong. Very noisy and obtrusive. Neither police nor Donnington Hospital Trust seem prepared to listen to residents on this matter, despite frequent attempts by residents to raise their attention. Weekends are very rarely pleasant due to constant noise, racing up and down street and large number of youths (non-local?)
  4. [Data entry note: Assume this is E10 "noise" as this was the only tick indicating strongly:] Sort out the "trail bikers" on the field at end of Heyford Hill Lane.
  5. Off road biking is a serious noise problem.
  6. In fine weather when windows all open village hall to Rock Farm Lane corner -> Fox, especially week ends, youngsters sometimes too lively! + music
  7. Motor cyclists using Heyford Hill Lane Common Land. Cause noise and nuisance all day at w/ends
  8. Noise from Village Hall is regular problem, Like living next to a Night Club.
  9. ie traffic
  10. I feel it is only a matter of time before Pheasant Walk and its vicinity becomes like the big estates in Oxford given noise pollution and anti-social behaviour of motor-cycle scramblers.
  11. We suffer in the summer from noise at night from Salter's party/disco boats.
  12. Noise is only a problem in summer from the river cruises.
  13. Scramble bikes on the field beyond fox furlong produce MANY complaints to police and parish council without effect
  14. Heyford hill lane fox furlong residents suffer noise pollution from motorbike scramblers every weekend. Police need to work with land owners to secure land and protect environment and property owners sanity
  15. noise from fireworks and police helicopter
Suggestions
  1. Sound barrier provided on A4074 parallel to back gardens from houses in Janaway.
  2. Speed camera in this area [noise- referring to A4074 & Janaway] to also slow the traffic as it approaches Heyford Hill roundabout
  3. The noise from parties in the village hall can be very loud on occasions. Would it be possible to have a curfew of at least midnight and reduce noise from 11pm? [Just keeping the entrance door shut would help keep the noise in - so perhaps adding air conditioning for hot evenings so door doesn't get propped open] THANKS!!



E11. The village is well suited to pushchairs and wheelchairs.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Paths bad - also n.b. no protected crossing from new homes over main road from Grenoble Rd to a) A4074 and b) Sandford, Brick Kiln Lane
  2. Pavement down Church road, from the church onwards is very small and sloped sideways causing people to have to walk in the road with pushchairs etc. was also very dangerous and difficult to walk on when it snowed
  3. OK apart from the hills.
Suggestions
  1. There should be a pedestrian crossing on Henley road



E12. Have you been seriously affected by flooding in the last 5 years?
STATS
   
Comments
  1. 9.8.2002 from storm, not river 3.5 inches indoors
  2. Suffered Twice from Flash Floods 1989 and 2002,in Lower Henley road.
  3. Flood wary in church road, Mill estate. Relief for Oxford - worse for us!



E13. How would you like the village as a whole to develop? Please the tick the closest description
STATS
   
Comments
  1. [Data entry note: both "diverse" & "stay as it is" were ticked]
  2. [Data entry note: both Diverse and Tourist were ticked]
  3. [Data entry note: both 'stay as it is' & 'working community' were ticked
  4. [Data entry note: both "working community" & "Tourist centre" were ticked.
  5. Where are the Community Police. Fed up with Noise from Yobs, Motorbikes!. Would prefer a Retirement community for quieter life
  6. Village does not have an Identity
  7. Diverse community sounds best but not sure what you mean.
  8. three answers were given: Working community, retirement community, to stay as it is.
  9. Both stay as it is, and working community given as answers.
  10. The village should retain all its fields and walkways, more footpaths to the river would be an asset.



E14. The village environment would be best improved by: Please mark your top five, from 1 down to 5.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. Much of the Church Road pavement is difficult for the able bodied let alone those with disabilities !!
  2. disabilities & pushchairs
  3. [Data entry note: "pushchairs" added to disabilities]
  4. [Data entry note: "cut hedges" was scribbled out to leave just "clear ditches" ]
  5. Not that keen on everything being tidy & neat - verges and hedgerows are great havens for wildlife, barriers & windbreaks. That said, unmown verges end up loaded with litter, so you can't have everything.
  6. [Data entry note: the word "some" added to the option 'keep verges mown and tidy' and also to 'Leave verges to grow for wildlife'
  7. A village seems to me to be part of the countryside rather than suburbia or a town. That is why I like the idea of hedging and ditching may be copses rather than "parks" could it not work for us in some way?
  8. Farmers should *never* be tolerated to block public rights of way.
  9. There is a green area behind where our house is situated. At the moment a lot of youths seem to ride motorbikes and mopeds along this grass area without helmets and at great speed. The young children who live around here are at great risk of injury if this continues. Also there are at times a lot of young people going down to the river, even late at night. If we have another dry summer there is a risk of fire. This land belongs to the OPT and is private property.
  10. Community action events NOT self-appointment maintenance vigilantes.
  11. Verges can be left to grow once enough pavement space has been allowed. It is more important to have seats and play areas than gardens.
  12. environment areas and wildlife in these areas should be looked after rather than abused by scrambling motorbikes
  13. Destructive hedge trimming by council needs to be done in more environmentally friendly way. Looks hacked!
  14. Leave fields and hedges to develop naturally.
  15. The litter in the village is a disgrace, together with dog mess.
  16. We do not need dog mess bins. Reinforcement of the Environmental Act 19990 ie a fine should be imposed on dog walkers who don't pick up their mess!
  17. The field by the river that is adjacent to Broadhurst Gardens and Yefty drive needs tidying. Volunteers ie families living near by could do this if a skip was provided and this was overseen by the Parish council.
Suggestions
  1. The Four Pillars should stop cutting their fields right the way back to the hedges, so long as there is a path, as it is very pretty when left wild.
  2. The King's Arms should re-turf all the bare patches in their lawns
  3. The King's Arms should clean up all the rubbish left by its patrons.
  4. I would very much like to see the pavement on Church Road widened and improved.
  5. We need a village "odd job" man to keep it tidy, people should take responsibility for there area by their house, but the worse sections are not by houses.
  6. Get locals/businesses to "adopt" parts of the village say for litter clearing & erect signs to that effect (ie Henley Rd - Adopted by Four Pillars Hotel" & then the hotel would provide litter cleaning, provision of flower tubs etc
  7. Make the village more attractive. More flowers & shrubs. Build on the river attracting people
  8. Litter along the tow path is a problem, we live close to the river and would suggest encouraging fisherman to take their litter home please.
  9. Wheelie bins being provided would stop the lightweight bins being blown over and allow people to use bins that are easily moved, rather than bags. And wheelie bins are better for dustman's welfare.
  10. Spring flowers.
  11. Would love to see more traffic free walks accessible in all seasons and free of dog mess and litter.
  12. Keep children's park free of litter once a week.
  13. River should be integrated more into the life of the village



E15. Which of the following do you recycle in your green box? Please tick all that apply.
STATS
   
Comments
  1. We are not covered by the Green Box Scheme
  2. We take our glass to the bottle bank
  3. Is there a facility for metal recycling in the green box?
  4. Garden refuse is composted. Glass is recycled via Sainsburys. Other waste is disposed of at Redbridge.
  5. Where do I get a green box?
  6. I would like to find out more about recycling.
  7. We are waiting to collect one. We just moved here last week.
  8. Recycling is important, and paper & glass collections make it much easier.
  9. We found the refuse truck which stopped at the village hall very useful but it appears to have discontinued.
  10. It's a great idea to arrange for refuse lorry to appear once a month near the village hall. This encourages people to be less likely to throw rubbish over the fence or onto the road.
  11. Parents to teach their kids to dispose of coke cans in a responsible way. Ages 7--28 cause street litter. Bad parenting a cause! Litter fines could redress the situation. Parents should be responsible for their kids coke cans etc. And start teaching their kids not to throw rubbish onto the street.
  12. Our flats do not have any bins (boxes) currently
  13. There is no provision for recycling in the Sandford Mill development at the end of Church Rd
  14. We've never been given any information on a green box
  15. Glass to tip, can't put in green box.
  16. No green box has been made available to this area of the village. We have our own bins (?room?) but no facilities for separating
  17. (green bin men won't take glass)
  18. Glass is taken to Tesco's recycle. We are not aware that this is collected as of yet!
  19. I do not have a Green Box.
  20. Glass not collected in Green box.
  21. Not allowed to Recycle glass, using Green Box.
  22. Only Paper and aluminium allowed?
  23. Quality of recycling is very poor. People new to the area are unaware of any such environmental issues.
  24. Glass not allowed in green box
  25. We are not provided with separate boxes.
  26. Have not got a green box.
  27. We would like a green box.
  28. Why no door step glass recycling?
  29. More information is required on the green box scheme. Ours says only paper, card and cans.
  30. Recycling bin men will no accept glass. Why? This isn't good enough.
  31. people are confused about what can go in their green box - I didn't think you could put glass in there.
  32. Encourage more recycling by providing bins somewhere in Sandford (Village hall?)
  33. More glass recycle bins
Suggestions
  1. We should be covered by the Green Box Scheme
  2. We need glass recycling to be provided in the village and the large 'wheelie bins' for litter would be more functional.
  3. Although I have recently become aware that glass should not be put in the recycling bin, I have never received notice of this. A convenient alternative is required.
  4. Wheelie bins: 1 for rubbish & 1 for recycling (box too small & rubbish blows out)
  5. We would be happier if the recycling service took bottles & aluminium cans.
  6. Any incentives to encourage recycling should be considered or fines to those who don't recycle.
  7. Could Bottle Bank be placed at Village Hall
  8. Green Box at home for Kitchen and Garden waste
  9. Glass recycling bins reqd in the Village
  10. At the moment I take all my bottles and glass to a bottle bank. I feel a separate road side box for this as more people drink at home eg barbecues, and would then use this extra box.
  11. Have recycling boxes for bottles and glass
  12. I understand that glass is not recyclable in the current green box system: it should be! Or a closer glass recycling bin in the village would be a better alternative to Redbridge or Sainsbury's. Perhaps a list of current green box recyclables needs to be on the village notice board if I am out of date.



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Last update: 31 December 2004 http://www.sandfordonthames.co.uk/appraisal/candse.htm
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