Bugbrooke Parish Council
Parish Council Members and Contacts
Parish Council Members and Contacts
We haven’t had the punishing heat this summer that the UK briefly experienced in 2022, and the relatively cool and damp weather we’ve seen this year is a huge contrast to the heat, wildfires and droughts in parts of southern Europe. It’s probably worth remembering that ‘climate change’ is a more accurate term than ‘global warming’. While the overall trend in average global temperatures is upwards, complex interactions between many factors result in disruption to the relatively stable climate we are used to, and these take many forms, not just higher temperatures.
Climate change presents a major global challenge and it probably seems as if the activities of a group of people in an English village are insignificant. But to limit the effects of the climate and biodiversity crisis action is needed on all fronts – which means the small local actions as well as the big international ones. We all need to do our bit.
20 mph advisory speed limit
Earlier this year, the Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group put forward a proposal for a 20mph speed zone in part of the village (in addition to the existing 20mph limit along the High Street). Reducing vehicle speeds results in lower pollution from exhaust fumes and tyre dust particles with some evidence that smooth driving at lower speeds is better than measures such as speed bumps which tend to result in vehicles repeatedly slowing down and speeding up. Driving speed is also a road safety issue, with lower speeds reducing the risk of collisions involving cyclists and pedestrians, and with less likelihood of serious or fatal injury if collisions do unfortunately happen.
In response to our request, the Highways department at West Northants Council agreed to an advisory 20mph zone. This will be set up and managed in line with the council’s policies, which include clear guidelines on the design, number, and placement of 20mph signs.
We have identified suitable locations for signs within the village and received 6 signs from Highways. The installation date is set for Thursday 28 September. The signs are intended to be temporary and will be moved around from time to time. The map below shows the area covered by the advisory 20mph zone.
Something we have heard many times is that 20mph zones are ineffective because people don’t comply with the speed limit. If those of us who live in Bugbrooke do our best to stick to 20mph when driving on the village streets it would be a start.
Nature recovery
The Environmental Working Group is considering putting a proposal to the Parish Council to review how it manages the green spaces around the village that it is responsible for. These areas are currently mainly grass, mown as needed throughout the year. The Environmental Working Group is keen to look at how these areas can be managed differently to make them a more welcoming habitat for wildlife, whilst maintaining existing uses by local people. We have asked the local Wildlife Trust for advice and hope to start making some changes from Spring 2024. These changes might include letting some areas of grass grow longer, planting trees, or setting areas aside for native wildflowers.
We are keen to know how people in the village might feel about these changes – please do get in touch to share your views and especially if you are interested in getting involved in this project (contact details below).
Air Ambulance recycling day
The next Air Ambulance recycling day is on Friday 17 November at the Community Centre. Your donations of electronics, clothes, shoes, toys and bric-a-brac will be distributed around local Air Ambulance shops and boutiques, Children’s Air Ambulance shops or sold online to raise essential funds for this vital service.
Environmental Working Group meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Community Centre, 7.30 – 8.30pm. The November meeting will be on Wednesday 1st November. December meeting will be on Wednesday 6th November. Please feel free to come along and get involved or just listen to whats going on.
Clare Slater Jane Wood Facebook:
clareslater.bpc@gmail.com janewood.bpc@gmail.com @BugbrookeEnvironmental
Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group
Welcome to the Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group page. The group was formed by the Parish Council to raise awareness of climate change and wildlife loss and to help tackle these issues within Bugbrooke.
Our broad objectives include:
●increasing the use of renewable energy●improving the options for low carbon transport●providing an environment that encourages nature to thrive.
Welcome to the Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group page. The group was formed by the Parish Council to raise awareness of climate change and wildlife loss and to help tackle these issues within Bugbrooke.
Our broad objectives include:
●increasing the use of renewable energy
●improving the options for low carbon transport
●providing an environment that encourages nature to thrive.
What’s the latest from Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group?
What’s the latest from Bugbrooke Environmental Working Group?
Eco Tips
Eco Tips
Plan meals to help avoid food waste (and save money) – one-third of food grown for human consumption ends up being thrown away1; in the UK 70% of food waste is from households – food that we have paid for and carried home, only to throw it in the bin.2 Uneaten food accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions3
Turn your car engine off when waiting – apart from wasting fuel (and money) exhaust fumes also accumulate inside the car as well as polluting immediately outside (which just happens to be lung height for children).
Clean out your inbox – keeping old emails means there’s a server somewhere using lots of energy to store them.
1UN Food and Agriculture Organisation estimate for 2011. https://www.fao.org/food-loss-and-food-waste/flw-data
2Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). https://wrap.org.uk/resources/report/uk-progress-against-courtauld-2025-targets-and-un-sustainable-development-goal-123
3UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2021 https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021
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