Ashwell Village News from the Parish Council
Please click here for the December edition of Parish Council News
Cyprus Tree - Station Road opposite the War Memorial
The Parish Council have raised an application for permission to fell the Cyprus tree opposite the war memorial on Station Road. This is because the growth of the tree covers the street light and road sign and must be periodically cut back.
As it is a potential safety issue the tree is to be felled.
Providing the application is granted, the work will take place on Wednesday & Thursday 14th & 15th January 2026.
HCC Survey - Help Shape HCC Budget for 2026/27
HCC have launched a survey which gives you the chance to have your say and help shape their budget for 2026/27, see their note below:
We are setting our budget against a challenging financial backdrop of increasing need for and cost of our services, especially adults and children’s social care which make up 68% of our spending. It will include new measures to reduce costs and make every penny of council taxpayer’s money count. Since 2010, a total of £495 million savings have been achieved, including £46m over the previous twelve months and a further £42m in savings this year.
The short survey highlights how our 1.2 billion budget is spent across a range of services which touch the lives of all Hertfordshire’s 1.2 million residents. It also asks you to consider where you would prioritise spending of finite resources and share ideas to make further savings and increase income.
Your feedback will help ensure that residents voices are heard and reflected in the key decisions that will be made.
The survey is open now and closes on Sunday 7th December – and there is also an “easy read” version.
Essential Bridge Works A1(M) Junction 7 - National Highways Notice
I am writing to tell you that we plan to carry out essential bridge survey and investigation work at A1(M) junction 7, Langley Sidings Interchange. The Langley Sidings south and north structures carry two running lanes of the A602 over the dual-carriageway A1(M).
The purpose of the bridge survey is to carry out various extensive tests on Langley Sidings south and north bridges over the A1(M) carriageway near southwest of Stevenage in Hertfordshire.
On the A1(M) junction 7 and approach roads A602, we plan to begin working here between Thursday20 November 2025 and Wednesday 26 November 2025. We will work weeknights only, between 9pm and 5am, weather permitting.
Lane closures on A1(M) junction 7 and approach roads A602
To carry out the work safely on the bridge deck, we will require temporary lane closures to be implemented in phases.
On A1(M) carriageway, we plan to begin working here between Monday8December 2025 and Friday 19 December 2025. We will work weeknights only, between 9pm and 5am, weather permitting.
Full road closures and diversions on A1(M) carriageway
To carry out the work safely under the bridge deck and roadsides, we will need to close a section of A1(M) carriageway underneath the A1(M) junction 7 Langley Sidings Interchange, and divert traffic as follows:
Traffic travelling on the A1(M) will be diverted through the up and over slip roads and back onto the A1(M) in both directions.
Hertfordshire Age UK
The flyer gives details of winter welfare visits carried out by Hertfordshire Age UK and how professionals can refer people.
Residents in Hertfordshire can get more information on how to self-refer for a Winter Welfare Check by calling Chris on 07903 429743 or email Chris.skrabski@ageukherts.org.uk
Age UK Hertfordshire are delivering Winter Welfare Visits to support older and/or vulnerable people to stay warm and safe this winter. This service is fully funded by HCC under the Household Support Fund and is free of charge.
Support will be delivered via our 'handyperson' service,
who can help with:
- Providing and installing radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion
- Providing and installing draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss
- Providing and installing night lights and replacing faulty energy-efficient bulbs
- Providing an electric blanket or winter duvet (single size only)
- Helping to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats (please note we are unable to help with central heating issues as this will require a gas-safe engineer and/or appropriate tradesman)
The service will run from 27th October 2025 to 31st March 2026.
To make a referral, please complete the referral form (click herefor form) and return it using the contact details provided. The Age UK Hertfordshire team will then contact the client to arrange the visit
and discuss their individual needs.
All team members are DBS checked, referenced, and will carry ID.
