Social, Community and Environment Group [SCENT] Actions Taken or Planned during the year:

Action 11:

Create a more attractive Gateway into the town from the M65 Work has now been completed in relation to the Colne Railway Viaduct Project.

The Lighting is switched on automatically in the evenings providing an enhanced Gateway approach to the Town Centre with the Parish Church, Town Hall and Norway House silhouetted in the back ground on the skyline.

The Colne Symbol/Sign/Logo is now being used on the Colne Town Centre website and on Colne Connected Correspondence. It was hoped to use these Symbols on existing road signage but these were not allowed on planning grounds.

The Heritage Plaques at Colne Railway Station to mark the opening of rail services between Skipton and Colne back in 1848 and between Burnley and Colne in 1849 were erected during the year.

SCENT is promoting a Landscaping Plan through Colne in Bloom to improve the Bunkers Hill/Leech Street side of the Railway Station to compliment the work already carried out to the Car Park and Entrance to the Station.

Colne Connected also supported the production of the Colne Town Centre Heritage Trail Booklet Guide, which will help to put Colne on the map as a place to visit and stay. In conjunction with this initiative, there are plans for Colne & District [BB8 Postcode area] to sign up to the National “Walkers are Welcome” Towns Network.

Action 20: Develop ‘safe routes to school’ and investigate the potential to develop ‘school drop off zones’.

SCENT supports the Transport and Accessibility Group in the pursuance of this Action. Members looked at the Benefits and Disadvantages of introducing the Yellow Bus Scheme in Colne.

It was felt the overall economic costs outweighed the environmental and social benefits. So it was decided not to proceed. However, it was agreed to work with Lancashire County Council on the implementation of Local School Travel Plans.

In particular, Colne Connected would like to support specific one or more projects, such as providing Visibility Jackets for Walking Bus Schemes; building Cycling Stands at Schools; erecting Waiting Shelters at Schools; organising a Walk to School Trophy for Colne and Area Schools; arranging annual “Big Green Safe Quiz Team Trophy Competitions” for Primary Schools in the Colne Area; backing School Travel Plans for the planned new combined Primary and Secondary Schools Campus at Primet, provided the Building Schools for the Future Programme continues.

Action 25 – Protect improve and make better use of open and green space.

SCENT is working with Colne Neighbourhood Action Group and the Town Council on a number of “grot spot” areas round the town to improve and make better use of the green and open spaces, especially in Waterside.

This also includes the erection of new Historical Information Boards, which will be strategically placed to assist walkers on the Town Centre Heritage Trail.

Action 26: Investigate the need and demand for further public Internet access points within the town and hinterland Colne Connected continues to support the Internet Access Facility at Open Door, as it provides a valuable free service to over 2,500 residents on low incomes.

SCENT also offered this Service to the villages of Trawden, Laneshawbridge and Foulridge but at the moment no suitable venues are available.

During the year, after an extensive survey of cafe locations for Internet Access in the Town Centre, we established a Cyber Café at “Perk Cup”, Richmond Court, Colne. This facility is planning to be open 7 days a week from 1st June after a refit. The Project should be self financing as users will be charged for using the Internet and E-mail access.

Action 27 – Increase and improve toilet provision in the town.

Through the auspices of the Police, Licensed Premises have been approached in the Town Centre to see if the Landlords would be prepared to make their toilets available free to the Public.

There are issues of health and safety and the cost of cleaning the toilets to be sorted out. SCENT has looked at similar schemes operating elsewhere in the country.

Action 28: Creation of a recycled toy library.

Sure Start held two Swap Shop/Toy/Clothes Library Events, during the past year, at the Colne Children’s Centre. Colne Connected has helped with promotion and publicity. These events are now well established and do not require support from SCENT.

Action 31: Create a Website and Newsletter for Colne and District.

SCENT supports this Action which Colne Connected has helped to develop. There is a Town Centre Website – Visit www.shopincolne.co.uk as well as car stickers.

There are also regular Quarterly Issues of “Colne Life” – a new Community Magazine exclusive to Colne. These initiatives will help to promote Colne and its Services. While the SCENT Committee are grateful for the support of Colne Town Councillors, it was without a Chair for most of this year.

Colne Connected is grateful to those who have helped out but the Group would welcome new members so that it can progress relevant activities and projects including Action 33: “Develop a programme of festivals and events for the area” with our key partners, Colne Town Council and Pendle Leisure Trust.