Mill Race Moto Café
Following the October meeting when some 40+ residents attended, many raising concerns about noise, traffic and general disturbance from customers using the newly opened Mill Race Moto Café, the Parish Council and owners resolved to follow up on a number of actions.
The owners have erected signage at the entrance and exit and on site to discourage anti-social behaviour and revving engines that can cause disturbance. There are now volunteer stewards helping direct traffic and encourage good behaviour at weekends when the Café is busiest. Those not complying are not welcome and will be banned via social media.
Representatives of the Parish have had a number of discussions with the owners on additional measures, including the potential for installing ANPR cameras. The Parish is also investigating the purchase/hiring of specialist equipment to measure noise.
A useful joint meeting with members of Essex Police Neighbourhood Team, led by Sgt Ben Knighton, has been held on site with the owners of Mill Race Moto and Parish Council.
Essex Police have agreed to continue monitoring behaviour with regular patrols, and will support any Community Speed Watch dates, if sufficient notice is given to enable resources to be allocated. Police would attend and issue notices if speeding takes place. The Neighbourhood Team also propose holding a ‘Let’s Talk’ session at the Café (date tbc). Notices regarding new powers to enforce against anti-social behaviour by vehicle owners have been posted on PC Notice Boards and at Mill Race Moto.
The Parish Council has also followed up contact with Ward Councillors and the City Council Planning Enforcement and Environmental Health teams regarding compliance with planning conditions and whether a noise nuisance could be substantiated. We have had confirmation that there is no evidence of a breach of any planning conditions to date and that Environmental Health cannot enforce noise on the public highway but both will continue to monitor the situation on site at Mill Race and respond to any further specific complaints.
The Parish Council is pleased to have received sufficient volunteers to reinstate Community Speed Watch. Training is due to take place over the next month and we hope to mount the first speed watch shortly thereafter. Anyone else wishing to register as a volunteer please contact the Clerk on email address below.
The Parish Council will continue to monitor the situation and liaise with the owners, Essex Police and City Council. There appears to have been a welcome reduction in problems over the last month. If residents continue to experience disturbance please provide details by email to the Parish Council: clerk [at] aldhamparishcouncil.gov.uk