Dear Resident,

Firstly can I wish you all a Happy Easter. 

With regard to the County Council’s initiatives for Somercotes:

The H1 bus service is now up and running and will run through Pye Bridge to Eastwood and Alfreton providing an evening service.  On Sundays it runs from Alfreton to Nottingham.  This service also runs through Riddings and Leabrooks on a two hourly  provision. 

On a sad note it is with regret that I have to inform you that Doyles who operated the 152 village service has ceased operating.  This was one of the bus routes I secured when I first became a Councillor after Trent stopped operating on the route.  Over the years Doyles gave an exceptional service to the residents of Somercotes.  The route is now being operated by Your Bus and I am led to believe some of Doyles driver operators have secured jobs with the Your Bus company.  I am sure the same level of service will be delivered.

I am pleased to announce that the County Council have agreed £40,000 towards the cost of a Multi Games Area on the field to the rear of Scott Drive.  The Parish Council and Futures Homescape have also committed £5,000 and £4,000  respectively to the project and Amber Valley will maintain the facility once built. 

I have again asked for various roads and pavements to be resurfaced in Somercotes and Leabrooks -   Victoria Street, Parkside, High Street, Leabrooks Road, Castle Drive and Parkside being just some of my requests.  I am still waiting for the full approved list of schemes. 

A number of people asked about a replacement post box at Leabrooks.  I thought this would be fairly straightforward.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t and the  Post Office has turned down the request, stating there isn’t enough demand for one,  due to the low usage at the existing post boxes at Swanwick Road and Charles Street.  I am sorry that I couldn’t get a new post box.  I tried to explain the usage would be there if one was installed near the Co-op but they refused to install one.

Yours sincerely

Councillor Paul Smith

Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Communities