Don’t let burglars ruin your holiday

/in News /by Andrew Martin

We are asking people to consider home security ahead of a peak in holidays over the summer months.

According to research 77 percent of adults are planning a summer holiday meaning there is likely to be an increase in unoccupied properties in the county.

While we are seeing a 19 percent reduction in burglary this year (Jan – June 2025) compared to the previous year, opportunist thieves can use the holiday season to their advantage.

So we’re asking people to think about home security if they are planning on going away.

There are several steps people can take to protect their homes, particularly with the support of friends, family and neighbours.

Whether that be asking someone to move the bins, park on your drive or using timers on lights – there are lots of measures people can take to make their home look ‘lived in’ while they are away.

We have dedicated teams who are working hard to combat burglary and bring thieves to justice. Tackling it is a force priority as we aim to make Cambridgeshire an even safer place to live.

If you are going away consider:

  • Maintain a normal routine while you are away by asking a family member, friend or neighbour if they can:
  • Put the bins out
  • Open and close blinds/curtains as you would normally
  • Remove post and parcels that are delivered
  • Make your home look lived in:
  • Use smart bulbs or timers to switch lights on and off
  • Use the timer function to turn you TV on and off
  • If you have a smart device such as an Alexa set it to play music at certain times in the day.
  • Review your security:
  • Consider installing an alarm, outside light with a sensor
  • Consider installing CCTV/doorbell camera
  • Ensure all outbuildings and sheds are locked

Further information about holiday burglary advice is available on the force website – Going away? Don’t give it away | Cambridgeshire Constabulary 

Barton Road (A603) Work Schedule

/in News /by Andrew Martin

I am getting in touch to update you on the latest developments regarding our works on Barton Road (A603).

 

We will shortly be starting works to widen and improve the existing walking and cycling path. The works will extend from the A603/M11 roundabout up to approximately the Barton Road lay-by closest to the city centre. Our contractor, M Group (formerly Milestone Infrastructure), has already constructed a temporary off-road path which will enable us to safely divert pedestrians and cyclists while the main path is closed.

 

Enabling works along Barton Road will begin from w/c Monday 11 August for three weeks. The works will be carried out overnight between 8pm-6am. During this time, temporary traffic lights will be in place to maintain traffic flow. Each morning the road will be reinstated to two lanes.

 

Works will then formally begin from w/c Monday 1 September for approximately 15 weeks to widen and improve the walking and cycling path that runs alongside Barton Road. Upon completion of the main works, there will be a three-week demobilization period, where we will remove the site compound from the layby and remove the temporary path, taking the total programme of works to approximately 21 weeks.

 

The works will be carried out during off-peak hours from 8pm-6am with a nighttime road closure and diversion route in place. The official diversion route will be Cambridge Road (A603) – Ermine Way (A1198) – Old N Road (A1198)– A505 – A10 – Hauxton Road – High Street – Trumpington Road (A1134) – The Fen Causeway (A1134) – Newnham Road (A603) – Barton Road (A603). During the day, the road will be re-opened with a speed restriction and temporary traffic lights in place to enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross at specific locations (push button lights). The diversion route has been selected so that it is suitable for all vehicles, including HGVs, along roads that are designed for higher volumes of traffic to ensure vehicles are able to flow freely.

 

While we are undertaking our works, we will need to close one lane on the A603/M11 roundabout. This is to ensure speeds are in line with the temporary 30mph limit on Barton Road and to facilitate access to one of our site compounds located just off the roundabout. By having our compound off the carriageway, this enables us to minimise our works impact to users of Barton Road and ensure the road is kept open during the day.

 

Once completed, the scheme will:

  • provide better drainage, ensuring the route can be used year round
  • improve segregation between the path and the road to enhance safety
  • create a wider, smoother shared use path
  • introduce a slower, safer speed limit for vehicles travelling along Barton Road

 

We will be notifying properties and businesses within our works area to ensure they are aware of our plans and how to get in touch with us.

 

There are three ways to keep up to date with works on Barton Road:

  1. Sign up for our monthly greenways newsletters at www.greatercambridge.org.uk/email-updates (select ‘Greenways’)
  2. Visit the Barton Greenway web page: www.greatercambridge.org.uk/barton-greenway
  3. Contact M Group if you have any concerns or questions during the construction of the scheme. You can email ku.oc.arfnienotselim@syawneerG or call the 24-hour phone line 0800 028 1363

 

For any queries that do not relate to the construction of the scheme, please email ku.gro.egdirbmacretaerg@olleh and we would be happy to assist you.

Barton Businesses on Visit South Cambs

/in News /by Andrew Martin

Barton Parish Council has been proactive in promoting Barton and Barton businesses.

The Hoops, Barton Village Store and Conkers Cafe are now featured on the Visit South Cambs website. You can view the Barton page by clicking on this link.

 

Incident with BB Gun

/in News /by Andrew Martin
 Thursday evening (3 July 2025) at about 20:20.

We had a report of an incident that a resident has been fired at with a BB gun. The matter has been reported to the police. Residents are requested to to be alert and to report any suspicious activity.

Contacts for Local Police

Report a Crime.

Telephone 101

Deadline for Public Meeting Comments: Greenways Crossing

/in News /by Andrew Martin

Following the Public Meeting on Tuesday 1st July we asked for any further comments. If you have not responded and wish to do so the deadline is Monday 14th July. Please send to the clerk.

 

Just a reminder that the discussion was around the type of crossing at Kings Grove/Burwash Manor area of New Road and is an important part of the Greenways project. For clarification the options are:

Raised table

This slows motorists down. Pedestrians and cyclists cross the road as normal.

Raised table with Parallel Crossing (Zebra crossing and Cycle Crossing)

This also slows motorists down but they must stop for pedestrians and for cyclists at a Parallel Crossing (Highway code rule 195), giving priority to both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the main carriageway. (Highway code hierarchy applies on the crossing.)

Reminder St Peter’s Church Fete 28 June 2025

/in News /by Andrew Martin

St Peter’s Church Fete will take place on 28th June 2025 on School Lane in the Village Hall and School Playground.

“There will be music to enjoy throughout the afternoon with Live Saxaphone playing, organ music and a choir of children from Barton school lead by Revd. Claire Robertson. The children will also be giving a dancing display.

Refreshments will be served in the Village Hall and an ice cream van will be on site, so fingers crossed for sunny weather!

There will be Stalls to brows and games to play in and around the church with something for everyone, including a raffle, Book stall, jigsaw sale, Cake stall, bottle stall, chocolate tombola and a plant a sale. Craft activities will be held in the church, including badge making and biscuit decorating.  Be sure to visit the other games on offer, the skittles ally, lucky dip, face painting, bean-bag chuck, splat the rat, balloon tennis, and rock painting.

Donations

Donations of books, jigsaws, bottles, prizes, and toys can be left at the back of the church in the boxes provided (from the first 1st June).  If you would prefer to have the items collected, please call 01223 263196, or email –moc.liamg@nedrawhcruhCnotraB.

Please bring cakes for the refreshments to the village hall on the day.

Raffle prizes can be delivered to 20 Kings grove, left in the church, or email moc.liamg@123notneh

When donating cakes for sale on the cake stall, contact Ruth Bond (Tel 01223 262985) or bring on the day.

Your donation of plants ahead of the date can be deliver to 4 Mailes Close, or left in the south porch, during the week leading up to the Fete. Any plants you would like split and dug up please contact Lorna Scott Campbell on 07711 557332. Thank you.”

FOBS Summer Fair Barton School

/in News /by Andrew Martin

Friends of Barton School are hosting our Summer Fair on Saturday 12th July from 12-4pm.

There is lots of fun to be had with stalls, a children’s entertainer, a band, games, food and drink and ice cream.

We are looking for stallholders!

Do you have a business to advertise, arts, clothes, gift, plants, crafts or something else to sell or an activity to run? All ideas welcome, just get in touch.

moc.kooltuo@loohcsnotrabfosdneirf

Important Meeting Barton Greenways

/in News /by Andrew Martin
Greater Cambridge Partnership Presentation by Jonathan Camp Senior Project Manager (Barton Greenways)

There will be a meeting at Barton Village Hall at 6:30 pm on Tuesday 1st July 2025, before the full Parish Council Meeting at 7:30 pm.

We will have a presentation by Jonathan Camp of the GCP. Jonathan will discuss the area at the end of New Road shared pavement (Kings Grove/Burwash Manor) where current plans show a raised table. Several residents have expressed a preference for a zebra crossing (as was detailed on the plans exhibited on the GCP consultation and public drop in 24 November 2022).

Your input is required for the Parish Council to make a decision in the meeting that follows.

If you are unable to attend the presentation by Jonathan but wish to comment, please contact the clerk by email or letter.

 

 

Volunteers Wanted to Help CRT

/in News /by Andrew Martin

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Support Wildlife-Friendly Grazing at Lark Rise Farm

The Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT) is seeking volunteers to support a new conservation grazing initiative at Lark Rise Farm, near Barton.

A flock of hardy Hebridean sheep has just arrived on the farm to help manage and restore species-rich grasslands. Their grazing plays a vital role in promoting biodiversity and improving habitat conditions for a range of wildlife. To support this, we are now looking for Livestock Lookering Volunteers to assist with basic welfare checks.

What does the role involve?

Volunteers carry out simple daily visual checks on the sheep, ensuring they have access to water and feed, that fencing is secure, and observing for any signs of ill health or safety concerns.

No prior livestock experience is necessary, just an interest in the outdoors and a willingness to observe and report. An initial briefing and training will be provided, and ongoing support is available from CRT staff.

Flexible and meaningful volunteering

The rota is designed to be flexible and can be adapted to suit individual availability, even checking the sheep once a month would be a great help. Volunteers must be aged 18 or over.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature, support sustainable farming, and become part of a passionate community, working to protect and enhance our local landscape.

For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://crt.goassemble.com/opportunities/91469-livestock-lookering-volunteer-2025-06-17 For queries, please contact: ku.oc.trceht@reetnulov

 

 

Rebecca Dutton

PR & Policy Officer

01223 651215

Update on Barton Greenways

/in News /by Andrew Martin

New Road section has the base layer of tarmac now enabling the road to be opened to traffic. Barriers should be cleared over the next few days with plan to open the road sometime on Monday. There is still work to complete which is mainly street light installation and a top surface. However, the shared pavement will be fine to use as and when guided by the contractors.

The next phase of the project is around the Kings Grove junction. This has been split into several tasks to keep traffic signals to a minimum. New Road will be open across this section to one-way traffic under temporary lights. Works include junction narrowing, tables and a new footpath on the Burwash side. There is also work to complete in front of the houses and at the wood pile.

Your Parish Council continues to have meetings with the GCP and included a walk through the various phases of the works on Wednesday with the GCP and ML project engineer.

As a reminder, High Street (including the slip road at the triangle) is No Parking under a temporary rolling 3-week traffic order. There are notices posted and A-frame signs. We have ordered (on behalf of the GCP) Clear Way No Parking signs to display on lampposts down High Street as there are still cars parking near the Baptist Church. No Parking will continue until all works are complete in the village as construction traffic will still need to use High Street and we want to reduce any further delays to the project.

Plans are available with your Parish Council subject to minor tweaks.