Health and Social Services

There is currently no health service provision within Dove Holes on either a permanent or visiting basis. The questionnaire asked people whether they would like services provided within the village. The question and responses are as follows:

What medical facilities would you welcome in the village?

Doctor: 294

Chemist: 278

Chiropodist: 94

Optician: 95

NHS Dentist: 203

Vet: 157

Lots of people commented on the type of provision they would like to see. These suggestions included a doctor’s surgery one or two mornings a week, a baby clinic, district nurse, mobile health facilities for the housebound and a well man/woman clinic.

There are medical centres and chemists at both Chapel-en-le-Frith (three miles) and Buxton (three miles). However, for people who don’t have access to a car, it is difficult to get to these services as the trains only run every two hours and people with children can’t always get the pushchairs on to buses.

Whilst many people would like to see some form of healthcare provision, there was a feeling by some people that it might not be practical to provide these services and questioned whether there would be enough support for them within the village.

As part of the questionnaire, people were asked whether there were any services or facilities within Dove Holes that they had difficulty getting to or using. Whilst a lot of people did not have any difficulties, the main problem areas for others included the Methodist church hall, the track around the community area, the path to the train station and buses which aren’t buggy friendly.

Action Points

· Provide a doctor’s surgery within the village

· Provide a chemist within the village

Environment and Other Services

This section covered a wide range of services provided within the village, such as street lighting and refuse collection. As the following figures demonstrate, a lot of people within Dove Holes are not very happy with the level of service provided. Only street lighting and refuse collection are felt to be good, with verge maintenance, telephone kiosk reliability and recycling classed as reasonable. All the other services were regarded as poor.

1. What is your opinion of the following services in the village?

(a) Road Maintenance:

Good - 29 Reasonable - 166 Poor – 189

(b) Road Cleaning:

Good – 24 Reasonable – 133 Poor – 222

Good – 13 Reasonable – 131 Poor – 253

(d) Pavement Cleaning:

Good – 17 Reasonable – 117 Poor – 266

(e) Verge Maintenance:

Good – 34 Reasonable – 188 Poor – 169

(f) Refuse Collection:

Good – 285 Reasonable – 95 Poor – 21

(g) Street Lighting:

Good – 194 Reasonable – 130 Poor – 79

(h) Provision of litter bins:

Good – 28 Reasonable – 112 Poor – 250

(i) Telephone Kiosk Reliability:

Good – 46 Reasonable – 197 Poor – 80

(j) Recycling:

Good – 69 Reasonable – 156 Poor – 140

The questionnaire also asked residents what other services they felt the village needed. The main responses were around the topic of recycling. People wanted more and larger recycling sites that were emptied more often. A wider range of recycling facilities was also requested with garden waste, clothes, tins and plastic suggested, possibly a door to door collection. The residents of Dove Holes also would like to see the refuse amenity on Ridge Lane reopened, with a least a skip provided. Footpath cleaning was another area that people felt strongly about and would like to see them swept with a brush as the machine which is used is too wide for the pavements and does not clean them properly. Road cleaning on the estate was also felt to be in need of improvement, as was the gritting there in winter. There was also a comment that whilst the verges and pavements are well kept, they seem to lack imagination. There were several requests for public toilets, especially near the play area. It was felt that if toilets were provided, the cleanliness of the bus shelter might improve. Whilst people felt that street lighting was generally good, there were certain areas they would like to see improved. Alexander Road, Meadow Lane, the community area and the road to the station were all felt to be poorly lit. Although telephone kiosk reliability is reasonable, people also felt they would like to have more phone boxes within the village. Cable or fibre optic connection for telephone and television was also suggested. People also requested more litter bins and dog fouling bins to be placed around the village. Litter bins were suggested for on the side streets and at the Dale Road bus stop. An extra Post box along the main road was also suggested. Due to the dust from the quarries and lorries, it was suggested that the houses along the A6 and Dale Road should be offered a subsidised window cleaning service. Whilst people valued the community centre, it was felt that more could be done to make this the focal point of village life. Also along this line of thinking were several people requesting a village green.

The general feeling amongst the people of Dove Holes is that they should be provided with regular, efficient services all year round and not just when royalty visits, which is what they feel happens now.

Another area which people were asked their opinions of is childcare within the village. There were a lot of requests for an after school club to be provided and a few for a breakfast club and a holiday club. People would also like to see the current playgroup expand to five sessions per week. More childminders within the village would also be welcome.

Action Points

Get bottle banks emptied more frequently

Provide better recycling facilities – cans, plastics, cardboard, clothes, shoes, books, tapes, green waste for compost
Provide skip or amenity site for the village

Provide more litter bins
Improve road maintenance/cleaning
Improve pavement maintenance/cleanliness
Improve cleanliness/appearance of village
Stop vehicle damage to verges and footpaths
Provide better lighting round community area
Educate people to pick up litter and dog waste
Resurface Alexander Road
Improve verge maintenance

Emergency Services

The questionnaire asked people for their opinions on the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Mountain Rescue services and asked for suggestions as to how they could be improved. The figures below illustrate how people rated the four services.

Police

Good – 84 Reasonable – 167 Poor – 142

Fire

Good – 116 Reasonable – 174 Poor – 47

Ambulance

Good – 132 Reasonable – 163 Poor – 53

Mountain Rescue

Good – 346 Reasonable – 26 Poor – 12

The main suggestions for improvements to the services were focused on the Police force. Whilst people indicated that a reasonable service was being provided there was a very strong feeling there should be a more visible presence by policemen on foot. The main crime concerns that people had all centre around vandalism and they felt that priority should be given to policing the areas where the youngsters congregate, such as the railway station and Meadow Lane and at the times when they congregate, therefore evening rather than in the daytime and there should be more pro-active police action against known vandals. CCTV was mentioned on numerous occasions as a possible solution as well. Several people felt that police should be stationed within the village and more should be done to build good relationships between the police and residents of all ages and that contact information be provided. It was suggested that a Neighbourhood Watch group should be set up with help from the police.

Residents were happy with the fire service and there were no suggestions for any improvements.

The feedback from the questionnaire indicated that residents felt that the ambulance service was very good but there should be more ambulances available for the area.

The Mountain Rescue service was rated very highly and the residents are proud to have it located within their village.

Action Points

Set up a Neighbourhood Watch group
Try to get foot patrol police officers for the village
Install CCTV around the Community Centre
Develop a better relationship with the Police
Lobby for more ambulances within the area
Reduce vandalism within the village

Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities

There were many sports facilities that people would like to see within the village, with some suggestions being more realistic than others. The most popular suggestions were as follows

Gym
Indoor/outdoor bowling green
Skateboard/in-line skating facility
Tennis court/tennis nets on hard court
Swimming pool
Indoor sports centre
Badminton court
Netball pitch/club
Exercise class
Squash court
Five a side football pitch

The questionnaire also asked people what playing field and playground facilities they would like to see. Many people were dissatisfied with the state of the children’s playground and the main suggestions for improvements to it were as follows:

Refurbishment or a new playground
A slide
Safe rides for the little tots
Skateboard/BMX ramps
Swings
Improved climbing frames
More benches

Again, there were comments about more people using the existing facilities and that if new facilities were provided they might be vandalised as the existing ones had been.

The sports facilities are one of the things that people like about living in Dove Holes but they would like to see the existing ones updated and some new ones provided.

Action Points

Refurbish children’s playground
Provide more benches in the playground
Improve existing sports facilities
Improve spectator facilities
Provide new sports facilities
Encourage the use of the existing facilities

Social Activities

The residents of Dove Holes enjoy attending social activities within the village. Many activities are already held and these include:

· Youth club weekly throughout the winter

· Live entertainment on an occasional basis

· Whist at the Over 60s Club

· Ballroom, Line and Disco dancing

· Bingo

· Family entertainment, eg Karaoke

· Art Club

· Yoga

There is also a large community Bonfire held on 5^th November every year. This has been held for many years and was originally started by the Football Club in response to concerns about the safety of people at small, private bonfires with fireworks. The Community Association have since taken on the activity and it is extremely well attended by people from the village and surrounding areas.

However, people still wanted to see other social activities. The most popular suggestions were:

Brownies
Cubs
Scouts
Junior/youth discos
Dances
Over 16s disco
An improved youth club
Live entertainment
Activities for older children and teenagers
Whist drive
Family entertainment/disco
Guides

Many people wanted village sports activities that everyone could take part in. Village sheep roasts was a popular suggestion, as was having a carnival or May Day parade. People valued the sense of community within the village and wanted more events where people could come together. However, there were also comments that the current events could be better attended. People were also asked if they would be willing to help organise some activities and, encouragingly, several people put their names forward.

Action Points

· Organise more village social events for all age groups

· Encourage more people to attend events

Transport and Highways

The questionnaire asked people for their opinions about various transport and highways issues. The responses were as follows

(a) Relief road

Very Important 373 Worth Doing 36 Not Necessary 21

(b) Speed reduction

Very Important 306 Worth Doing 57 Not Necessary 43

(c) Road/pedestrian safety

Very Important 329 Worth Doing 51 Not Necessary 16

(d) Parking provision

Very Important 200 Worth Doing 107 Not Necessary 45

This section of the questionnaire was the one which people felt most strongly about with almost everyone completing the section. A large majority of the residents felt that a relief road for the village was very important. People were asked for their suggestions for a relief road and many suggestions were put forward which were mainly based around building a road from the quarry to join the roundabout at Barmoor Clough to link up with the Chapel by-pass in one direction and Dale Road at Buxton in the other direction.

Speed reduction measures were also regarded as being a very important issue. A lot of residents would like to see speed cameras installed in the village or flashing speed restrictions signs as a nearby village has. There was a lot of concern about the back road to Chapel-en-le-Frith being used as a rat run and there were many suggestions for either a reduced speed limit or speed humps to be installed along Meadow Lane and Station Road.

Road and pedestrian safety was another area which residents felt extremely strongly about. There is currently one pelican crossing within the village, near to the school but people feel that at least one more crossing is urgently needed. There were various suggestions for the locations but it was generally felt that one for each end of the village is necessary. It was also felt that the pavements along the main road are not very safe for pedestrians and that railings on the footpath near the crossing and the school would help on school mornings. People felt the roads would be safer if traffic lights or a roundabout were installed at the Dale Road crossroads. Again, concerns were raised about the speed of traffic along the back roads and suggestions were put forward to make Station Road one way with the exit at the new road end.

The residents of Dove Holes felt that parking was an issue within the village and that something needed to be done about it. There were mainly two areas of concern. One was with regard to car parking places and the other was a concern about vehicles parking on pavements. The main demand for parking was for the residents along the main road. It was also felt that improved car parking for the churches was necessary and parking bays near the shops would encourage business and deter cars from stopping on the pavements. There was a lot of concern about the dangers caused by vehicles blocking the pavements which then forced pedestrians to walk in the road to get around them. Many people felt that the parking problems would be relieved if the village had a by-pass.

Public transport was also included in this section of the questionnaire and people were asked how they rated the services. Dove Holes has its own railway station and there are 8 bus stops along the main road of the village and Trent buses have their depot in the centre of the village so there is fairly good provision. People rated the services as follows:

Bus

Good 226 Reasonable 138 Poor 26

Train

Good 106 Reasonable 170 Poor 117

When asked how the services could be improved, the main response was that all the trains should stop at Dove Holes station. Currently, although the service from Buxton is hourly, only every other train stops at Dove Holes which causes difficulties for people returning home from school or work. A lot of people felt the station was dark and would like better lighting to be provided both at the station and on the approach road. People would like buses to a wider variety of destinations to be available and for them to run for later in the evenings. The bus stop near the bus depot does not have a shelter which makes waiting for buses in winter a cold and wet experience. There were also suggestions that a mini-bus could provide a service around the houses away from the main road to take the elderly to and from the bus stops.

Action Points

Provide more off-road parking
Have speed cameras installed
Sleeping policeman on Meadow Lane

Improve the upkeep of bus shelters
Extra crossing on the main road
Better parking and access to church yards to allow easier access into churchyard and stop cars parking on road during funerals and weddings
Prevent cars parking on footpaths
Provide bus service round Station Road and Meadow Lane
More regular bus/train service to Buxton at night
A walk-thru bus shelter on the Buxton/chapel route opposite the bus garage to prevent being sprayed by vehicles
Parking/pull-in for the Post Office
Better off road parking for shops (with car park signs)

Traffic calming to prevent people speeding along the back road to Chapel to miss the traffic
Get all trains to stop at the station
Enforce speed limits
Traffic calming along A6
Relief road/by-pass
Provide flashing speed restriction signs
Later bus from Buxton
Install pedestrian safety barriers near school and crossing
Road bumps/traffic calming on Meadow Lane/Station Road
One way system round Station Road