News

Our petition to improve the link between our villages for walking and cycling is gathering pace. Please read, sign and share if you would like to see this change.

https://www.change.org/powick-safer-travel-link

As a Parish Council we care deeply about the safety, health and inclusivity of our community. Powick parish is sprawling, so we welcome anything that will provide better links for our parishioners. As such, making the most of the planned walkway upgrade, alongside the Upton Road B4424 between Powick and Callow End Village, is high on our list of priorities.

Unfortunately, parishioners frequently report feeling unsafe whilst walking or cycling on this stretch of road. Some have even recounted incidents of immediate physical danger. Ask almost anyone locally if they would be happy walking or cycling that section and the answer will be negative. The brief change to national speed limit sets the tone for this section and is widely unpopular with those hoping to share this space with motor vehicle users.

It is vital to acknowledge that excessive speed is a key factor in many road accidents, and the higher the speed, the greater the likelihood of fatality or serious injury. Research shows that a 5% cut in average speed can result in a 30% reduction in fatal crashes (Transport Research Laboratory, UK). The government’s own guidance on setting speed limits states that, as a general rule, for every 1mph reduction in average speed, collision frequency decreases by around 5% (Taylor, Lynam and Baruya, 2000).

A reduction in the speed limit would not only decrease the likelihood of accidents but would also make residents feel safer walking and cycling the short distance between our communities. For residents of Callow End, this would provide access to onward bus services and safe cycle routes into Worcester.

Despite support from many local residents and their representatives, Highways have thus far refused to make this change.

Let’s prioritise the safety of our community by advocating for a reduced speed limit on this busy stretch of road. A move that would encourage and enable active travel, connecting our communities. Add your voice to this movement, helping to promote health and wellbeing of our friends and neighbours. Please sign this petition today.

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, featuring our call for volunteers to help renew a village hedge in Callow End and The 6Rs – Rethink / Refuse / Reduce / Reuse / Repair / Recycle. Plus a directory of useful resources to help with The 6Rs!

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, featuring The Woodland Trust tree database, a transport special covering car clubs, peer-to-peer hire, on-demand buses and active travel, plus a flyer for our E-bike Loan scheme. Have a look and please get in touch if you’d like to be involved.

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, covering our Carbon Reduction Plan review, our Powick E-bike Loan Scheme, garden share and the Abundance scheme. Have a look and please get in touch if you’d like to be involved.

We have put together a document detailing our progress implementing our Carbon Reduction Plan, over the first six months since it was adopted by the parish council.

The full Council Carbon Reduction Plan can be viewed here.

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, covering our new Powick E-bike Loan Scheme, our Carbon Reduction Plan, progress with our biodiversity scheme, the E-Bike to Work Scheme and active travel in the county. Have a look and please get in touch if you’d like to be involved.

We are delighted to report that PACE’s project to develop pollinator sites at Powick Football Pitch and Callow End Playing Field achieved its target of £992. In fact, due to many generous pledges we exceeded that amount; raising a total of £1083.

We received pledges from local residents and businesses, along with £500 pledged by MHDC. All the money raised will go towards supporting our action to enhance biodiversity in our Parish. Over the summer we will be ordering bare rooted trees and dog roses along with hundreds of native wild bulbs ready for the autumn planting season.

Can you lend a hand?
Ordering is the easy bit, we will need help from people of all ages to get them into the ground. If you can help in any way please contact us – contact@powickclimateaction.org

Thank you to all who pledged via Spacehive.
We couldn’t have done it without you!

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, covering the success of our biodiversity fundraising campaign, the possibility of setting up a car club, the eBike to Work Scheme and the new cycle / walk way. Have a look at what you can do to take action.

We have launched a crowdfunding campaign on the Spacehive platform to raise funds to enhance the biodiversity at Powick Sports Ground and Callow End Playing Field.

The project would plant a variety of bulbs, flowering plants and trees which would increase the food supply for insects and small mammals which in turn would support bats and birds. We wish to encourage children to become aware and to value the nature around them. We intend to work with children’s groups in developing the project and explanatory signage will be installed to inform the public.

CLICK HERE to find out more and to back this project!

Here’s our latest newsletter pull-out, covering recycling, our e-bike loan scheme and our forthcoming biodiversity initiative. Have a look at what you can do to take action.