Hinxton ford - some proposals

I have discussed the continued closure of Hinxton Ford road gates with Emma Murden, who is familiar with the site and who is our go-to senior person for county engineering issues. I made clear to her the frustration felt by people living locally because of the long periods of time the road across the ford is closed.

Emma has agreed that we need to discuss if there is any local involvement that might help, although as the highways depot is close by the water flow is checked regularly, and I know Evan and then Peter Taylor checked it regularly over Xmas.

The proposal is for the two parishes to arrange an assessment of use/need to establish if there are any peak times or specific user groups. Some sort of survey might be helpful using volunteers. Whether that can lead to more involvement in the decisions to close and open the ford road gates remains to be seen but let's take this forward. 

The County Council remains of the view that the risk of cars lifting while crossing the ford and being taken down stream is one the county is responsible for and they have to guard against it. At least the route is open to cyclists, walkers, people pushing buggies etc since the county made good the pathways.