Reepham Life

Has anyone heard a mechanical noise that seems to been audible at various times of the day? It started about a week ago and last night was on between 2–3 am.

It sounds like a generator in the distance, accompanied by a rhythmic clunking/drum noise. It’s not on all the while, but can be heard several times a day.

Has anyone else noticed this? Know what it is? Know how it can be stopped?

Daniel Skipper, Whitwell Street, Reepham

In response to T Goulding’s remarks about bus parking in Bircham Road (Your Letters, 17 May), I would like to make a few points. First, Bircham Road was originally a private road that was adopted by the council. It has never been a through road and is purely residential.

Parking by Sanders’ buses in Bircham Road is not to collect passengers; it is simply to facilitate lengthy recreational breaks for the drivers.

As a consequence, large vehicles, sometimes in an unsatisfactory condition, have been left in dangerous and thoughtless positions, with no concern for anyone living locally.

Some years ago there was a serious crash by the Bircham Road junction, which was caused by a driver pulling out and not seeing approaching traffic. I’m sure nobody wants a repeat of this due to thoughtless parking by the driver of a large, obstructive vehicle.

Relatively recently, coaches began parking at the top end of Bircham Road and blocking residents’ driveways. This was the point when several residents, myself included, felt that things had simply gone too far.

Moving on to Ollands Road, it has been a through route for centuries and anyone buying a property in the street will be fully aware of this.

Nevertheless, parking has become progressively worse along the lower area of the road. There are often vehicles left on stretches of the pavement, sometimes obstructing its entire width. Hopefully, the campaign to make this illegal in all parts of the country will soon become law.

With regard to the daily parking around Spar, this is really bad. It’s hardly surprising that cars are often damaged in minor collisions; sadly, nobody seems to care much, one way or the other.

Perhaps the most worrying thing I’ve seen recently has been vehicles actually parked by the wall on the bend. Talk about asking for trouble!

I am frankly surprised that [your correspondent] is suggesting that if we want certain services, and perhaps improvements to them, it’s a matter of tolerating all manner of inconvenience and sometimes turning a blind eye to danger and law-breaking.

Might I suggest that rather than putting up with the chaotic situation in their own road, [your correspondent] speaks to the council and makes an effort to improve things for everyone living locally by making a few constructive suggestions.

Bill Rose, Bircham Road, Reepham

I write in response to recent articles in Reepham Life re Sanders buses parking at the entrance to Bircham Road during the drivers’ breaks, which give the impression that those of us who have voiced concerns are being unreasonable.

It is the positioning of the buses that is giving cause for concern: they have sometimes been within inches of the offside corner. This is why photos have been taken.

If driving into Bircham Road from the direction of Church Hill, when there is a bus immediately on the corner, there is no indication/warning of its presence. This is when it is potentially dangerous, especially when it is a double-decker, as a blind overtaking has to occur.

It is extremely unpleasant to have the smell of exhaust fumes waving over our gardens when the drivers leave their engines running during their breaks, as often happens.

Your derogatory cartoon [Reepham Life, May 2017] gives the impression that passengers are allowed to get on the buses in Bircham Road; they are not.

As a resident who has been known to have written complaints, I have not been notified of Town Council meetings to discuss this issue, nor have I ever been invited to attend one. Others have said similar.

The “Your Council Matters” editorial [in the May edition] implied we were “no shows” at the recent meeting. The reality is somewhat different.

When my husband offered to distribute agendas for the next Town Council meeting re this issue, he was stonewalled by the chairman of the Council.

Sensible, considerate parking is what we are looking for, not to ban the buses.

Hilary Gostling, Bircham Road, Reepham

Derogatory or close to the bone? What do you think?

In a small town like Reepham I was astonished by the attitude of residents regarding parking of the buses in Bircham Road.

I pass this road often and there appears to be plenty of room for cars to enter and leave the area.

The road is wider than where I live (Ollands Road), which Spar lorries use regularly and cars have to pull over to let them pass. But that’s ok; the lorries have to get to the Spar somehow.

We need more buses and I am sorry that the suggestion of more buses has been abandoned.

I wonder if the residents who have objected will one day find themselves without transport or close relations to help transport them to shops, hospitals, etc.?

There are many people in Reepham on their own without transport, who need these buses and even more if possible.

Please Sanders, think again and provide us with more buses and do not leave us without any form of transport.

T Goulding, Ollands Road, Reepham

See our earlier story:

• Town Council voices strong support for local bus service