By Tricia Birchley, BCC Councillor
What a contrast the blue skies of early March have been, compared to the heavy snow in January and rain at the end of February which flooded many local roads.
The severe weather in the hilltop villages had a major impact on the roads where the snow was deepest and lasted longest. In addition lower overnight temperatures and frost pockets contributed to the potholes currently under repair.
For much of the past week I have been out with Transport for Buckinghamshire or attending meetings to stress our needs. I saw pothole repairs in progress at The Lee but would say that some of these repairs are temporary due to the magnitude of the task.
The cost of the winter weather has been high. The European road network is generally excellent but my understanding is that Britain only spends about one tenth of road fund tax on our highway network.
I am asking for more substantial repairs to our rural roads and will continue to take a close interest in the coming months.
Making a difference
Did you know that our carbon footprint locally is one of the highest in the UK? The County Council has committed to reducing its own energy consumption; we too can help by managing our lifestyles more carefully such as reducing waste, eating locally sourced seasonal foods and driving fuel-efficient cars.
I understand daylight saving time all year round would also make further savings possible.
Life in Buckinghamshire
Can I encourage you to visit the new exhibition called ‘HUMAN’ at Aylesbury Museum, which explores half a million years of life in Buckinghamshire?
‘HUMAN’ tells the story of life in the county from the Ice Age to the Tudors through the people and objects left behind; some exhibits come from the British Museum and have not been seen here before. These include a canine tooth from a brown bear, an elephant tusk, the jaw of a cave lion and an enormous woolly mammoth’s leg.
The remains, which were found at Pitstone at the site of the cement works, are in addition to Celtic jewellery, Roman glassware, Saxon gold and medieval silver.
Looking forward
Easter comes early this year and the warm spring weather cannot come soon enough. Crocus are now a picture in the garden following the snowdrops and this year especially we are all looking forward to the burst of spring colours.
May I wish everyone a very Happy Easter.