2024

Wine and cheese evening

Wine & Cheese tasting event

At our Wine & Cheese evening on 21 March, 8-10pm, there will be wine & cheese tasting from exhibitors. One of these exhibitors is Village Wine based in Bushey. They have given us a detailed list of the wines that they are bringing for us to taste on the night, along with which food pairs well with each wine. Village Wine will also be bringing some delicious British cheeses to taste and buy on the night. Their discounted-on-the-night wine prices and order form is here: Village Wine’s detailed wine list and order form.

To find out more and to buy tickets to this event, click here

Proceeds of RDRA 100+ Club events go towards local good causes like better signage for the Community Garden & Orchard and RDRA running costs.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Have your say on district council services

Message from TRDC

Residents have an opportunity to shape the future of council services across Three Rivers district as a major survey of local opinion is launched.

Three Rivers District Council launched its residents’ survey on 7 February – and the results will help the council make informed decisions over the future of services.

The annual residents’ survey gives people the opportunity to have their say on the services they receive from their district council. Views are being sought from all residents aged 16 and over and the survey will close in 31 March.

“This is your opportunity to give direct feedback on the council, the services we provide and the way we provide them. Is there an issue you think we should be paying more attention to? Or have you had a good experience you would like to give feedback on? You can take the survey by clicking on our Have Your Say platform today.”

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, the Council Leader

The district council provides a variety of services ranging from benefits, community safety, planning and housing needs to leisure services, parks and green spaces, public health and protection and waste and recycling collections.

If you would like more information on the survey contact enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk or call 01923 776611. Paper copies are available from the Visitor Centre at Three Rivers House and at the Community Hubs.

To complete the survey, click: https://haveyoursay.threerivers.gov.uk/trdc-residents-survey

By R.D.R.A., ago

Accident discussion

Messages replying to RDRA X (Twitter) post:
Another accident today on Batchworth Bridge early this morning when it was still dark. Pedestrians with dark clothing cannot be seen by drivers! We have listed on our website what the RDRA tried to do over the years to make the bridge safer: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2024/02/batchworth-bridge-accident

Message received Feb 22, 2024 – via X (Twitter):
As a driver it can be quite alarming how difficult it is to see pedestrians here. And as a walker, there seems to be an increasing tendency for drivers to plough on over the crossings even when people are on them.

Message received Feb 23, 2024 – via X (Twitter):
use crossing poles that also light up for extra safety. Why not try these @hertscc

By RDRA Web Admin, ago

Dangerous crossing on the bridge

Message received Feb 22, 2024 – via Contact us form

Anne Littlejohn asked me to contact you regarding a post I made on facebook warning others about the accident early Wednesday morning on Batchworth Bridge. Please send a whatsapp phone number and I will screenshot the post and all the comments on the post confirming how dangerous the crossing on the bridge is. I drive over it three mornings a week returning from a night shift and can confirm when it is dark it is virtually impossible to see pedestrians until they are on the crossing. I slow right down knowing this to be the case but if you dont realise this it is very very dangerous

RDRA response:

Many thanks for your email. My contact details as below.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Batchworth Bridge accident

Batchworth Bridge crossing

The RDRA have been warning about the safety of the Batchworth Bridge crossing and today, Wednesday 21st February 2024, there was another accident.

The accident happened early in the morning (6.30am) but it was still dark and the pedestrian was unfortunately wearing dark clothes so could not be seen by the driver.

We wish the pedestrian well – we don’t know the extent of their injuries but an ambulance was called to the scene.

We’ve been campaigning for years for something to be done about the crossing as there have been multiple accidents and near misses over the years. It stands to reason that without action, one day there will be a fatality.

A history of the bridge:

  • A crossing with traffic lights requested – rejected by council.
  • An extra lighting lamp post requested – rejected by council.
  • Change of speed limit requested on Riverside Drive from 40mph to 30mph to match the speed limit on the bridge and on the roundabouts surrounding the bridge – rejected by council.
  • Improved Belisha beacons – rejected by council.
  • Painted ’30’ or ‘Slow’ on the ground at the start of the bridge requested – rejected by council.
  • Handheld device (SID) for monitoring speeds requested – agreed to but the pandemic happened and our training was scuppered. And we now don’t have enough people to attend, minimum 10 people needed.
  • Council removes grills from barriers to allow drivers to see when pedestrians are waiting to cross during the day.
  • Rumble strip requested – rejected by council.
  • Extra lighting was again requested – agreed to but would cost £60,000. HCC only willing to fund a third of this lighting cost.
  • Recently, we were told that extra funding could possibly come from the Police, if they reassess the safety of the bridge – we have the forms and paperwork to start this process off and would like to know your current views. Please contact us to let us know!

Please could you also share this story on your Facebook page by clicking the blue Facebook icon on the left.

And express your views direct to your local Councillors.

Click here to see previous RDRA posts about Batchworth Bridge

By R.D.R.A., ago

Pedestrian information

Message received Feb 21, 2024 – via Contact us form

Following on from facebook post of an accident on 21/2 . I can provide further information. It was 06:30 dark & the pedestrian was in dark clothes and could not be see.

RDRA response:

Many thanks for letting us know about the accident on the Batchworth bridge crossing at 6:30am today. Do you have any photos of the incident that we can share with our councillors to make them aware of the incident. We have been pressing the council to make this bridge crossing safe with better lighting generally and also install a pedestrian crossing lights. We appreciate your assistance.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Parking

Parking in the town centre and Mill End still remains a contentious issue. There are consultations and petitions ongoing. Please do look up the TRDC website for more details and information:

Parking permit overview:
https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/parking/permit-parking-overview#Permit%20Parking%20overview%20with%20answers%20to%20frequent%20questions

Parking zones within Rickmansworth:
https://cdn-trdc.prod.trdc.blazecms.app/files/2023/02/1e750270-b6a4-11ed-bfcd-715d70b6d39b-roads-in-permit-parking-zones-in-trd-sept2021.pdf

Parking consultation:
https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/parking-consultations#Rickmansworth%20West%20area

By R.D.R.A., ago

Wine & Cheese evening

One of our wine exhibitors at this event, Domaine Les Caizergues, has shared some information about themselves below – who knew they are based in Rickmansworth! We’ll be able to taste all their wines on offer and get a 10% discount now and right up to the event on 21st March. View Domaine Les Caizergues wine list, prices and order form.

We’ll be able to taste all the wine on offer and get a discount on the night.

Click here to buy your tickets!

Thursday 21st March, 8pm – 10pm
Rickmansworth Golf Club, Moor Lane WD3 1QL

Domaine les Caizergues leaflet

Thank you to everybody who have bought tickets so far – you are supporting the very first event organised by RDRA 100+ Club, proceeds of which will go to local good causes, like better signage for the Community Garden & Orchard.

Join the RDRA 100+ Club

By R.D.R.A., ago

Batchworth Boat Rally instead of 2024 festival

An update from RDRA ex-Chairman Michael Stimpson

A number of boats who had planned to attend the Rickmansworth Festival, and had planned the route they were taking from Marsworth to Paddington, are still going to come to Batchworth regardless of the Festival being cancelled.

A group of people, many of whom were involved in the Festival, decided that a much smaller event could be held.

They wanted to keep a Canal event in Batchworth following the hard work of the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust over the past 30 years.

Plans are well in hand for a weekend based just on the canal for an event from 10am to 5pm only (i.e. nothing in the evening) which will involve Trade Boats and ex-working boats for the public to visit as well as private pleasure craft.

Boat entries are already coming in and there will be a tug of war and a parade of boats on the Saturday and entertainment on the Sunday.

The Canal and River Trust are supporting the event which is being called the Batchworth Boat Rally. If a profit is made from the event, this will be donated to a Waterways Charity retaining seed funding for another event in 2025.

By R.D.R.A., ago