West Lynn Action Group looking to improve riverside footpath and ferry accessibility
Residents are pushing ahead with plans to improve their area as part of a new group to make up for their lack of a parish council.
The West Lynn Action Group was set up last year, with members looking to tackle issues in their area of town. Similarly to the likes of North and South Lynn, it has a considerable population but does not benefit from its own authority.
Helen Mead chairs the group, with Alison Fletcher serving as secretary and Karen Champion its press officer.
Its main aims so far include improving accessibility on the ferry which travels between West Lynn and the town centre, as well as enhancing the public footpath between Willow Tree Close and Clockcase Road.
The action group feels that South Lynn benefits from funding more often than their area, and has therefore achieved an official status which will allow them to apply for grants of its own.
“West Lynn does have deprived areas, but it can’t get ahead of South Lynn in that regard,” Ms Champion said.
“We were a bit shocked there wasn’t a parish council to lodge thoughts and ideas with.”
She and Ms Fletcher therefore came up with the idea of hosting meetings last year, with their next gathering planned for February 20 at West Lynn Sports and Social Club, starting at 6.30pm.
The group has received the support of Cllr Alex Kemp, who represents the area on the borough and county councils.
Speaking to the Lynn News, Cllr Kemp said: “It is a very important group, because there is no parish council in West Lynn to apply for funds.
“I spoke to residents last year and said we had to set up a group, and this is what happened.”
Cllr Kemp says she has allocated £5,000 from her county councillor highways budget to the group, and is looking for others to provide match funding.
She and members are also seeking to acquire £260,000 to resurface the riverside footpath in West Lynn, with Cllr Kemp saying that residents “deserve better”.
It is part of the proposed King Charles III England Coast Path section from Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge, which could be approved in the coming months.
“It is really, really important for residents and tourists as well. The path isn’t disability-compliant, so there are a lot of residents who can’t use it in the wet and muddy weather,” Cllr Kemp said.
“We need something done about this.”
The first West Lynn Action Group meeting saw just under 20 people turn up, with similar numbers attending since. Members hope to attract some new faces this month.
