Vince Cable opens National Composites Centre

On Thursday, Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary, opened the new multi-million pound National Composites Centre at the Science Park. The aim of the centre is to speed up new products going from the laboratory to the shop-floor.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said, “Here in the UK we are very good at invention, but we need to do more to innovate and turn our ideas into products and jobs. I don’t want the UK to miss out on any opportunities to create economic growth through manufacturing."

“This centre will work with our world class universities and international businesses based in the South West and across the UK, to develop and commercialise new technologies. Its work will strengthen our manufacturing sector, exploiting the next generation of advanced composites materials and helping maintain our global lead in this technology area. I look forward to seeing what they produce.”

Claire Young, whose ward neighbours the new centre, also attended the ceremony. "Speaking to representatives of small and medium-sized businesses at the event, it was clear how important this facility will be to them. It makes new technologies available to them and brings together research and manufacturing to the benefit of both."

"There was some fascinating technology on display, from a machine that cuts a range of materials using a jet of water to accelerate abrasive particles to scanners for identifying flaws inside composites. I hope local businesses will be able to take advantage of these new opportunities."

North Road closure

North Road is expected to be closed from its junction with Millbrook Road to its junction with Armstrong Way from 9am to 4.30pm on Sunday 27th November so that tree safety works can be carried out.

Folly Brook Road roadworks

There is expected to be a temporary ban on turning left into Folly Brook Road from the A4174 Ring Road from 28th November to 2nd December. This is so that the badly deteriorated road surface can be repaired.

Have your say on "Fairer Contributions Policy"

South Glos Council is asking you to have your say on how social care users contribute to the care they receive. Your Focus Team would also be interested to hear your views.

Bags for cardboard recycling - update

South Gloucestershire Council took down the web page we advised you to check for updates on when more bags for cardboard recycling would be available. We're now told that you can ring 01454 868000 and ask for a bag to be delivered to your home.

B4059 - speed limit change

South Glos Council are planning to reduce speed limits on the B4059 between its junction with Bristol Road and Earthcott, and the section of the B4059 called 'Yate Road' from the roundabout with Iron Acton Way to Stover Road. You can find out more and have your say on the Council's website.

More cardboard recycling bags coming!

Despite having insisted there would be no more bags for cardboard recycling, South Glos have caved in to the huge demand and ordered some more.

Over the last few months your Focus Team has been challenging the Tory Cabinet Member responsible to sort out the chaotic distribution of the first 40,000 bags and last week he admitted lessons needed to be learnt. Many people were unaware the bags were ready to collect and where from as the Council didn’t tell them. By the time they found out via the grapevine the bags were gone. Others who did strike lucky were able to walk off with dozens at a time. Trying to find out which distribution points still had bags was nigh on impossible with the website not reflecting the situation on the ground.

We’re now told the new bags will be distributed in the same way as all the other recycling bags. You will be able to call the Council Contact Centre on 01454 868000 to request one and it will be delivered to your house. The Council don’t yet know when the new bags will arrive but they promise that the latest updates will be on their website. Let’s hope this new process works much more smoothly.

Apply for grants now

If your community group would like to apply for a small revenue grant from South Gloucestershire Council, you have until December 5th to make your application. Several local groups were successful in gaining Capital Grants at the last Frome Vale Area Forum so it's well worth applying. You can find out more on the South Glos website.

More houses for our villages?

Representatives of Barratts have had a meeting with a South Gloucestershire Planning Officer as they are preparing a planning application for Woodlands in Coalpit Heath. This is the remaining fields between The Meads (the new houses currently being built next to Park Lane) and the railway line.

This area of land is over twice the size of The Meads so there could be a very large number of houses built there. Details of what is proposed are expected later this month.

Please let us know whether you are opposed to yet more houses here or whether they would be acceptable if they came with more local facilities. You can find contact details for Pat, Dave and Claire here.