Ridgeway Ramblings, April, by Mike Preston.

I have been relating some of the events I have been involved in over the last few months; this month’s excitement was when we launched our new waste trucks, as a part of the new waste contract with SERCO.
Dust Bin Lorries
The brand new state-of-the art refuse collection vehicles have hit Charnwood’s streets. The seven new vehicles have been bought by Serco at a cost of £916,412 and are being introduced as part of the new Environmental Services contract with Charnwood Borough Council. The new vehicles have state of the art features, including GPS tracking devices. This means that at any given time the location of the vehicle is known, which helps to answer queries from the public about whether or not their collection has taken place.
They also feature auto-stop sensors at the rear of the truck, which automatically apply the brakes if something is detected in the beam when the vehicle is reversing. The vehicles have been designed to be eye-catching and feature the slogan ‘Landfill … Less’. We hope this will raise awareness that the contents of each vehicle will be sent to a landfill site and encourage people to recycle when they can. Each vehicle is also fitted with advertising display boards which will be used to promote waste minimisation messages, including information on recycling, composting and littering.
Pre-driver Courses If you are aged 16-17 and want to learn to drive?
Did you know that Leicestershire County Council run one-day pre-driver courses for 16-17 year olds, who have not yet started lessons. The courses aim to prepare the students for driving and ultimately, their driving test. They are held at Mallory Park race track and consist of a mixture of theory and practical driving, focusing on issues faced by young drivers. The content of the class-based work includes an introduction to the Highway Code, hazard perception and speed awareness. The Leicestershire Fire & Rescue service also take part in the session, covering aspects of safety from professional and personal reflection. This is usually a very emotive, yet effective part of the course. Practical sessions take place on the track and paddock area, where the students can get to grips with differing speeds, try out slalom sets and parking, all in a non-hazardous environment.
Contact Allan Smart: 0116 305 7874 or allan.smart@leics.gov.uk, Julie Barradale: 0116 305 6607 or julie.barradale@leics.gov.uk, for more details.
Alternatively, visit the T Junction website to download an application form: www.tjunction.org.uk
Library Services
Libraries across Leicestershire are continuing to see an increase in visitors as the UK finds itself recovering from a recession. Traditionally, people turn to public libraries for cheaper entertainment, information about finding employment, free access to computers and the internet, help with saving money and being ‘greener’ by borrowing free books rather than buying. Leicestershire libraries have seen vast improvements recently, as part of an £8 million refurbishment programme. Self-service machines are now being introduced at major libraries across the county and will allow people to borrow and return books, CDs, DVDs quickly and easily, contributing to a much more effective and improved customer service. A new mobile library has also been introduced. The mobile service enables residents in rural areas with no static library to access the service from their community. It’s free to join libraries around Leicestershire. The service offers free book loans, enables you to research free information, offers free use of computers, offers free use of the
Internet via Broadband, offers music and films available for hire from as little as £1 per week .
Details of library developments can be found on www.leics.co.uk/libraries
Details of events can be found at www.leics.co.uk/events
Wind Farms
As I have said in the past please don’t complain when something has been passed or installed after the event when you had the chance to do something about it before the event. Scottish Powers Renewables’ planning application (P/09/2464/2) is out for consultation by Charnwood Borough Council. If you would like to help stop the wind farm going ahead please email SPROUT at queniboroughwindfarm@yahoo.co.uk