Thanks for raising this issue, notgrumpy. I am seething about it.
You are right to say that end of Meadow Lane becomes waterlogged. Several parts of the whole lane do actually become small lakes after rain as the surface has sunk in places and the drains are often blocked (more on that chestnut soon, by the way).
Meadow Lane is only two vehicles wide if the cars squeeze by each other very slowly near the middle and end (rec) sections. They can really only pass in the middle section if one goes on the non-tarmac bit outside the houses where Paintin's yard used to be.
Meadow Lane is already a magnet for antisocial behaviour, and by that I don't just mean the oiks that roam around late at night kicking our bins over, shouting and swearing at all hours, smashing bottels, urinating in the middle of the road and nicking wing mirrors. I also give the antisocial tag to the many people who already drive to the pavilion, then drive back to the High Street as if the path across the rec and Meadow Lane are suitable roads for 30mph.
My wife had to have her windscreen repaired last month because one of the vehicles that was going too fast kicked up a stone. Yes, the speed limit is 30mph, but 15mph is pretty quick on that road.
At the moment, we have a notice on the gate that says only people with authorisation from the parish council can drive along the footpath to the pavilion. Instead, every Tom, Dick and Harry who can't be ar*ed to walk can come and go as they please. That gate is not meant to be an access for members of the pavilion to drive there. They have been instructed to use the village college car park and walk the short distance from there, but they can't be bothered.
I don't see that situation changing, as one member of the parish council is also a big cheese at the pavilion and is orchestrating a big refurbishment there. He's another that whizzes by our house in his rush for a beer on the rec. Perhaps I should report him next time I see him without his seatbelt?
You're right- we don't want a car park there, as provision is already in place. Meadow Lane is home to several young children. A lot of us don't have a lot of space or what you'd call a driveway, and if we choose to let the kids out of the car outside our home, we have to hang on to them, as the drivers don't seem to even ease off the throttle when they see a child.
The surface of the road is pitted in places, and has dips and loose stone chips all the way along, so any sudden braking for a child or cat is likely to result in a brief loss of control. I know the parish council are concerned about the surface, as the elderly and some of the children from the Granta School find it tricky to make steady progress, as do wheelchair and mobility scooter users. However, I'd actually argue for it to be left as it is, mainly because it's the only thing stopping some of the drivers going even faster. We already know we can't get people to slow to an appropriate speed, so I can't see any good reason to make it nice and smooth for them.
