Roadworks at J17 of the M5

If your commute - or leisure trips - involve the M5, you might want to allow extra time for your journey in the coming weeks.

As part of ongoing highway works to improve traffic flow at junction 17 of the M5, there will be a number of temporary lane closures through the junction, with signed diversions in place. The lane closures will start on Saturday 9th May and will last for approximately two weeks, with the road being fully operational in time for the second May Bank Holiday on 25th May. Drivers are being advised to plan ahead to avoid any unnecessary delays.

The work is being funded from a successful bid for £1.14 million "pinch point" funding and is aimed at tackling capacity issues on the local road network around the junction. Road widening has taken place to provide extra traffic lanes and now all the traffic light signal control equipment needs replacing.

Westerleigh smell - latest action

Over the last 5 years smell incidents related to the abattoir have greatly reduced but there have still been some, particularly up on Westerleigh Hill. Last week while out talking to residents there I reported an odour incident to the Environment Agency. The official working on the case says that he thinks he has identified an activity at the abattoir that may be causing the odour and will be meeting staff on site in May to look at what measures can be put in place.

Don't forget, if you think an odour is coming from the abattoir ring Dominic Sugrue of Tulip on 0117 957 6056 and if the odour persists without a satisfactory response, call the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

Station Road resurfacing update

A number of people have contacted Claire Young concerned that the workmen only tarmaced some sections of Station Road.

Claire has contacted officers and they have clarified that the work they did was just the preliminary patching work. That now has to be left for a month or two for the tarmac to oxidise before they can do the microasphalt treatment later in the summer. This is proper resurfacing, rather than just surface dressing, and uses a smaller aggregate for a quieter running surface.

Sorry for any confusion. The final result should be worth the wait.

Top Yard refused

Yesterday the planning committed voted to refuse the application for a travelling showmen site at Top Yard, Westerleigh.

In February, local residents and Westerleigh ward councillor Claire Young spoke at the DC (East) planning committee about their concerns about the application, which officers had recommended for approval. The planning committee voted by a narrow majority to approve it but, heeding the concerns raised, Cllr Alan Lawrance referred it up to full council. Given the chance to look at the application again, officers considered some recent case law and advised councillors that the application should go back to the DC (East) Planning Committee with a revised report to reflect that. Claire was pleased to propose this at the council meeting.

In the revised report, officers recommended refusal. The committee voted 9 votes to 1 with 1 abstention to refuse it on the grounds that it is inappropriate development and the "very special circumstances" given by the applicant don't outweigh the impact on the Green Belt.

Claire has asked officers what the next steps will be. As this was a retrospective application and the caravans are already there, it will be referred to the planning enforcement team.

South Glos Lib Dems launch manifesto

The South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats have  launched our manifesto for the Council elections on May 7^th. Entitled ‘Working with you and for you’ it lays out our local key priorities, in addition to those outlined in the party’s national manifesto, which was published last week. You can find out more on the South Glos Lib Dems website.

Autism awareness

South Glos Council were awarded a grant through the Autism Innovation Fund to run an Autism Awareness Project with the Mobile Library Service.

Volunteers, with a supervisor, are accompanying the Mobile Library on each of the routes in April and May to raise awareness of autism.


The dates for the visits locally are:

Fri 1 May - Coalpit Heath, Frampton Cotterell and Henfield
Tues 5 May - Westerleigh
Wed 3 June - Charfield, Cromhall, Rangeworthy, Tortworth, Tytherington and Yate (North Road)


Do drop in to find out more. You can find out more about the mobile library routes on the South Glos website.

New Youth Cafe session for LBGTQ

There's a new monthly Youth Cafe session for young people in the area aged 14-19 who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans or Questioning. It will run at the Armadillo in Yate from 7pm to 9 pm on the last Sunday of every month, starting on Sunday 26 April. To find out more ring 01454 869 441, email info@yatearmadillo.co.uk or go to www.facebook.com/groups/LGBTQYate.

Good news for users of the Railway Path

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path between Teewell Hill and west of Staple Hill tunnel will reopen on Friday 1 May, just in time for the first May Bank Holiday weekend.

This section of the path had to be closed so a bridge could be widened. This provides new footways for pedestrians and improved cycle facilities. The council has also used the closure to carry out essential maintenance work to the Staple Hill tunnel.

There is still some additional work to carry out over the new three months that will require short term closures from time to time. Any such closures will be clearly signposted in advance and the council will keep residents notified via their website and social media.

Bollard on pinch point damaged in Westerleigh

Over the weekend one of the bollards on the pinch point on Shorthill Road was damaged when a car hit it. The council is aware and Claire has raised it with the Head of Street Care. At the March Area Forum your local councillors agreed there should be an investigation into further traffic calming measures as residents were concerned about the existing ones.

Top Yard now recommended for refusal

In February, Westerleigh ward councillor Claire Young and local residents spoke at the DC (East) planning committee about their concerns about the application for a travelling showman site at Top Yard, Westerleigh. Officers had recommended it for approval.

The planning committee voted by a narrow majority to approve it but, heeding the concerns raised, Cllr Alan Lawrance referred it up to full council.

Given the chance to look at the application again, officers considered some recent case law and advised councillors that the application should go back to the DC (East) Planning Committee with a revised report to reflect that. Claire Young was pleased to propose this at the council meeting.

The application will be considered again next Thursday, 23rd April at a meeting starting at 3pm in Kingswood. Officers are now recommending that the application should be refused  on the grounds that it is inappropriate development and the "very special circumstances" given by the applicant don't outweigh the impact on the Green Belt.

As you can see from the agenda, this is the only application the committee will be considering. You can read the very detailed 17 page report here. Please contact Claire Young if you would like more information.

Application for caravan storage at Beech Hill

In February we reported that caravan owners had protested against the council's planning enforcement team taking action to stop caravans being stored at Beech Hill, Westerleigh. The owners of the site have now made an application for a change of use of the land to caravan storage, reference number PK15/1339/F , which can be found on the South Glos website. Local people have until Thursday 7th May to comment.

Station Road being resurfaced

It was good to see work underway today to resurface Station Road, Coalpit Heath. Claire Young won funding for this at the November Area Forum - as the picture below shows, it was much needed. The work is scheduled to finish by Monday 20th April - in the meantime, avoid the area if you can.

Edited on 27/4/2015: Officers have clarified this was just the preliminary patching work. That now has to be left for a month or two for the tarmac to oxidise before they can do the microasphalt treatment later in the summer. This is proper resurfacing, rather than just surface dressing, and uses a smaller aggregate for a quieter running surface.

Good news on rural transport

South Glos Council has successfully bid for £150,000 to fund a feasibility study into the potential for more integration between Community Transport (CT) Operators and NHS appointment processes, in order to increase accessibility to health services from our rural areas.

You can read more here.

Never mind the TV debates...

... what happened when the candidates for Thornbury and Yate went head-to-head for the first time?

At the start of the General Election campaign the five candidates for this constituency took part in their first ‘hustings’ meeting. Young people attending sixth forms across Yate and Chipping Sodbury, and voting for the first time at this General Election, organised a meeting at Yate International Academy, attended by over 100 sixth formers. What was THEIR verdict on all the candidates for this seat after quizzing them?

Before the hustings, in a secret ballot the Tories were neck and neck with Steve Webb, with the other parties trailing.

But after a two hour head-to-head grilling of all the candidates things changed.

In an exit poll at the end of the event the Tory vote halved from 25% to 12%, while Steve Webb's vote surged from 25% to 43%.

After testing the candidates on all sorts of issues, the young people's verdict was clear. THEY want Steve Webb to win - they see him as the best person to help deliver the future they want for themselves and their world.

You can hear the candidates at the following public hustings meetings:

Tues 14th April – 7pm
Armadillo, Station Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 4FW
(organised by Federation of Small Business)

Thurs 16th April – 7.30pmZion United Church, Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2HY

Tues 21st April – 7.30pm
Thornbury Baptist Church, Gillingstool, Thornbury, BS35 2EG

Thurs 23rd April – 7.30pm
Cranleigh Court Chapel, Cranleigh Court Road, Yate, BS37 5DQ

When people hear Steve and what he has been able to achieve with residents locally and nationally it strikes a chord.

Have your say on support for fostered young people

South Glos is asking for your views on a new policy to enable young people who have been fostered to continue to get support once they turn 18.

The policy will set out how to extend the fostering arrangements, what it means financially for the former foster carer and the regulations and support required. Several different options are proposed and the council would like to hear your views.

Further information is available on the consultation website: https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/consult.ti/stayingput2015/consultationHome - you have until 15th May to respond.

Volunteer to tackle speeding

At Monday's Safer Stronger Community Group meeting, PC Finbar Simmons made a plea for more volunteers to join our local Community Speedwatch teams. If you are interested, contact John Pearce of the speedwatch steering group on 07843 871387 and he will put you in touch with your local co-ordinator.

Now the election campaign really begins

Parliament was dissolved on Monday and the election campaign is well under way. Steve Webb was unanimously adopted as the Liberal Democrat parlaimentary candidate for the Thornbury and Yate constituency at a meeting of Lib Dem members in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall this week. Steve will be very busy for the next few weeks because quite apart from campaigning he's still the Minister of State for Pensions - the government doesn't finish until the election result is known.

Meanwhile local Lib Dems have been out on the streets talking to as many voters as possible, though you may well have seen us at other times - we make a real effort to keep in contact between elections, either on the doorstep or via our regular Focus and other leaflets.

If you would like to help Steve's campaign in a practical way you can email Steve on steve@stevewebb.org.uk or click here if you would like to make a financial donation to our campaign.

Easter bus services

First Bus have made the following announcement regarding their Easter services (for other operators, please check individual websites):

Easter services for the West of England - over Easter, we will be running the following services:

Good Friday (Friday 3 April)
- Buses will operate Sunday/Public Holiday timetables. This includes Bath Park & Ride services (21, 31 & 41).
- The Bristol Airport Flyer (Service A1) will operate a normal Monday to Friday service.

Saturday 4 April
- Services will operate normal Saturday service.

Easter Sunday (Sunday 5 April)
- Buses will operate Sunday/Public Holiday timetables.
- No Park & Ride will operate in Bath (Services 21, 31 & 41).

Bank Holiday Monday (6 April)
- Buses will operate Sunday/Public Holiday timetables. This includes Bath Park & Ride services (21, 31 & 41).
- The Bristol Airport Flyer (Service A1) will operate a normal Monday to Friday service.

Please note: If it says Sunday/Public Holiday timetable and your bus service does not normally run on a Sunday/Public Holiday it will not run on this day.

Church Road bridge latest

Unfortunately the council is still waiting for BT to remove their last cables from the temporary bridge. Once they have done that council workers can take that structure down and tidy up the verges and the river bank. At that time they will also sort out the copings and a couple of other minor snagging items like the mastic seals in the parapet walls. Officers will continue to push BT for a date for them to complete.

Tonight (Thursday 2nd April) officers are due to carry out a load test on the bridge, starting at 10pm to minimise traffic disruption. The purpose of the load test is to gather performance data to compare with predicted structural performance. The University of Bristol want the information for their academic research which will then eventually feedback in to the industry and help promote the use of these Fibre Reinforced Polymer structures.

The test is not being carried out because officers have any concerns over the bridge.

The test will be carried out under traffic signals but there may be some delays to motorists for a few minutes while lorries run slowly across the bridge and the strain gauges, accelerometers and deflection sensors collect the data.