The funding was agreed last week at the Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, where Councillor Jane Carr, Leader of Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats directly voted for funding for the city.

The £150,000 will pay for a detailed feasibility study to assess existing lakes across Milton Keynes, measure how much water they can safely hold and identify potential locations for a new balancing lake to better manage heavy rainfall and surface water.

This investment marks a major breakthrough on an issue the Lib Dems have campaigned on for many years and is a key manifesto commitment for this year.

Councillor Jane Carr, said:

“This is a significant moment for Milton Keynes. For the past 5 years we’ve consistently campaigned for more balancing lakes and flooding solutions, and I’m pleased that this year we had a vote at the table to secure the funding we need to get this work moving. This is the first step towards a long-term solution to flooding and it’s a huge win for local residents.”

She added:

“Flooding can have a devastating impact on families and communities. We only need to think back to the heavy downpours in 2020 which caused flooding and widespread disruption across the city. With climate change increasing the risk of extreme weather, we can’t afford to stand still. That’s why Lib Dem councillors have pushed so hard for a further balancing lake and why securing this funding means so much.”  

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats have consistently led the way on flood prevention. Just last year, Lib Dem councillors secured £10,000 to support community flood-planning training, helping local groups to prepare for and respond to flooding events.

Balancing lakes are a proven way to reduce flood risk. This new feasibility study is a major step forward in protecting homes, communities and infrastructure as Milton Keynes continues to grow.

A resident had been struggling to park because the disabled bays were often taken by drivers without Blue Badges, making everyday shopping extremely difficult. After raising the issue with the local Liberal Democrat councillors, prompt action was taken to resolve the situation.

Councillor Jenni Ferrans and Councillor Duncan Banks contacted the site owners, British Land, who are responsible for enforcing the carparking restrictions outside Tesco, to ensure proper enforcement was put in place. Thanks to the swift action of the Monkston councillors, parking rules are now being enforced properly.

Drivers who now misuse disabled parking bays are being fined, and the bays are staying free for people who need them. The resident expressed their thanks to the councillors in a Facebook post.

Councillor Jenni Ferrans, said:

“Disabled bays are not a convenience; they are a necessity. We’re delighted the owners of the site acted quickly and we were able to help to resolve this issue.”

Councillor Duncan Banks, added:

“Everyone deserves equal access to essential services. We were glad to help and proud to have delivered this positive change.”

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats remain committed to working with residents and local businesses to make Milton Keynes a fairer and more accessible city for everyone.

Until they are "adopted" they remain the sole responsibility of the developer.  The developer is responsible for ensuring that there is a safe, lighted route in to all occupied homes, and that any roads or footpaths already adopted are clear of vegetation and obstruction - but that's it.

You can find out whether an area has been or is intended to be adopted by MK City Council using the online interactive city map on the council's website, or by asking the councillors for that area.

The Adoption  Process
Status of Far Holme, Middleton
Status of Ashland
Status of Oakgrove

Other areas
In many wards in Milton Keynes there remain a very few other small areas marked as to be adopted eventually but not adopted yet - and some that have technically been adopted but the service department doesn't know!  This may be because the paperwork was not completed properly, or because the developer went bankrupt and the case is still being settled, or the area is still technically under development currently or reserved for development in future.  if there's an area not being maintained near you, and it's causing a problem, please contact the Focus team for help.  We'll try to identify the owner and the level of maintenance that should occur, and to chase them if it's not being done. Please note that until sites are developed, the open space is maintained simply as a field.

Lib Dem candidate for the Ouzel Valley Ward, Cllr Jenni Ferrans visited a bin store at flats which had cleaned before by our hard working teams, only to find it in a very bad state again. Watch her video below as she explains the problem and how she will fix it. Our councillors are working hard to find a solution to help keep our city clean.

Milton Keynes Lib Dems are putting pressure on the government, Environment Agency and Anglian Water to establish a new balancing lake in the north of the city to allow flood water to drain into the Rivers Ouzel and Ouse.

Jenni says “Too often, surface flood water can't drain away because the river gates are closed to protect homes in other towns down-stream.  Milton Keynes needs to be able to store more water locally and let it drain when the river level is lower.  We need a new balancing lake.”

Cllr Jenni Ferrans and Macsene Isles-Ahite measure the level flood water reached on a property in Simpson as water poured through the village last year.

In Ouzel Valley ward the northern loop runs through Oakgrove, past Middleton and Monkston to Kingston, while the southern loop runs up the V8 past Tinkers Bridge and Passmore improving services to communities who have lost bus services since COVID.  And residents say it's proving reliable too!
Find details here of stops, a map of the route, and the timetable.