Newbrough
Rob Tindall
Warden Parish Council once more assembled by Zoom last week and again experienced a full turn out whilst two members of the public also tuned in. It must have been one of the shortest meetings on record as it was all over by 8pm in spite of having a wide range of issues on the agenda. Concern was expressed about the icy state of the pavements but councillors recognised this was the result of the recent ice storm which had also made the gripper strip on the level crossings difficult to negotiate. The weather (and Covid-19) had also affected work on traffic calming measures by the school and the Millennium Beacon. In both cases preparations were complete and physical work would start as soon as conditions allow. In a cynical aside it was noted that a decision on the Prudhamstone Quarry planning application was taking longer than Brexit. Grants to Core Music and Tynedale Hospice at Home were both approved. It was agreed that a submission should be made to the consultation on the North East Transport Plan. The main priority was seen as ensuring that our excellent bus service was maintained but councillors also requested that consideration should be given to that old chestnut ‘the re-opening of Fourstones Railway Station’ in the light of an increase of commuters in the villages. And the piece of news to delight residents of Fourstones and Warden:- there will be no increase in the parish precept (the old rates) in the coming financial year.