Lords Walk Housing town hall meeting

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ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The following are questions and answers from a town hall meeting addressing concerns of Lords Walk base housing residents March 26. Questions were answered by Col. John Clarke, 48th Mission Support Group commander.

Q1. I already received move-in housing allowance once when I lived on the economy will I still be authorized MIHA if I elect to move to off-base economy housing? 

A1. Colonel Clarke - Yes, you receive MIHA because this is a government directed move. 

Q2. I live in Phase I and will be deploying; if I have to move what happens? 

A2. Colonel Clarke - The housing office will work with you to try and get you moved and settled prior to your deployment if possible. Please make sure you put all pertinent information on the survey form concerning deployments, etc. 

Q3. If I elect to remain in leased government housing when I move, will I be responsible for rent, utilities, etc.? 

A3. Colonel Clarke - No, you will still be living in government controlled housing. 

Q4. There is currently a fence up around Lords Walk and we have had seven burglaries in the last year; if someone dials 911 will Security Forces Squadron respond? 

A4. Colonel Clarke - No, the British police have jurisdiction. 

Q5. If there is an emergency or life/death situation, will we go off-base or on-base? 

A5. Colonel Clarke - Urgent care will be on base. 

Q6. Will the bus-stop for the Middle School still be at the same location? 

A6. Colonel Clarke - Yes, it will be at the same location. 

Q7. With all the children in the Lords Walk area that will be walking to school, can we arrange to bus them to school? 

A7. Colonel Clarke - No. The rule to authorize a bus is that the housing must be 11/2 miles from the school. 

Q8. If we have maintenance issues, who do we call? 

A8. Colonel Clarke - You will call the same number you currently call. 

Q9. I am in Phase I, how soon will we have notice before we need to move? 

A9. Colonel Clarke - I will give you as much notice as possible. As soon as I know for certain whether the lease will be extended or not, the notice will be sent to all residents. 

Q10. Can we move out of housing now without staying the required one year even if we are not in Phase I. I do not feel safe once the road opens to the general public. 

A10. Colonel Clarke - No, currently you are not required to move. If you wish to vacate prior to your one year you must submit a letter to Housing explaining why you desire to move. 

Q11. If we have a DEROS that is coming soon can we move into TLF sooner? 

A11. Colonel Clarke - No, if your DEROS is before July you are not required to move. 

Q12. Why is the base installing the fence on Radcliffe Road? 

A12. Colonel Clarke - After Sept. 11, 2001 the base worked with the MOD and local council to temporarily close public access to the Lords Walk Housing area, Lords Walk and Radcliffe Roads, and establish the entry control point where the current Gate 2 is located. At that time it was understood public access to Radcliffe Road and Lords Walk Housing would be re-granted after five years. During the last year, we have been in negotiations with the MOD and agree it is time to reopen the Lords Walk Housing area, open Radcliffe Road and relocate entry control to the new Gate 2 location. We plan to open Gate 2 no later than May 31. 

Q13. Will we still have to use Radcliffe Road to exit the Lords Walk Housing area? 

A13. Colonel Clarke - No, you will have additional access routes via the round-about near the existing Gate 2. By reopening these roads, travel in and out of Lords Walk Housing should flow much easier. Additionally, the No-Right Turn sign from Radcliffe Road to Lords Walk will be removed. 

Q14. Can you explain how pedestrians from Lords Walk Housing will access the youth center and elementary school when the fence on Radcliff Road is complete? 

A14. Colonel Clarke - Pedestrians will use the sidewalks to Lords Walk and will cross Lords Walk at the cross-walk just north of Exeter Crescent. They will then proceed north to the new Gate 2. After providing proper identification, they will follow the sidewalk onto Norwich Road. They will then use the cross-walk across Norwich Road and turn west toward Lords Walk. They will use the cross-walk to cross Lords Walk to continue on to the elementary school. If they want to go to the youth center, they will use the cross-walk across Norwich Road and continue on through Liberty Village. The safety of our children is paramount. We will be installing an additional speed bump on Lords Walk near the cross-walk at the intersection of Exeter Crescent. We will also be installing a pedestrian fence from just north of the new Gate 2 ID check area along Norwich to the cross walk just past the "old Gate House." This fence is designed to prevent pedestrians from jay walking across Norwich and Lords Walk intersection. Lastly, we will be planting shrubs in order to discourage pedestrians that have been using the south side of Lords Walk, the dirt path, as a short cut. We have also started a campaign to seek volunteers for cross-walk guards. These volunteers will help the children safely cross the streets. We will provide the proper training and equipment to perform this cross guard function. 

Q15. Why can't we have a pedestrian entrance gate by the youth center? 

A15. Colonel Clarke- Anytime there is an opening in the perimeter fence an armed guard is required to meet Antiterrorism/Force Protection requirements. We don't have the manpower to man the additional gate. We are looking into the possibility of having "exit-only" turnstiles near the AYA and intersection of Lords Walk and Exeter Crescent. We have several issues to work through this including funding, but we would like to provide if possible. I have also directed the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron to paint cross-walks on Radcliff Road to further the safety of our children. 

Q16. Can you install a turnstile with some type of coding or ID requirement so we can enter the base behind the AYA? 

A16. Colonel Clarke - No. Every entry point into the base requires an armed guard and we don't have the SFS manpower to support it. 

Q17. Can volunteers or augmentees man this gate? 

A17. Colonel Clarke - No, the gate must be manned by an armed guard. 

Q18. Will children have to be escorted on base? 

A18. Colonel Clarke - Children without an ID, under 10 years old, will require an adult to escort them on base. This is the same policy in use today at all gates. 

Q19. What happens if my 10 year old forgets his ID? 

A19. Colonel Clarke - They will have to get their ID or be escorted on base.