Have your say on housing for older people

With life expectancy increasing and people from the post-war "baby boom" reaching old age, the number of older people in South Gloucestershire is increasing. To help them plan for older people's housing needs, the council are carrying out a survey.

You can find out more and complete the survey via the consultation web page. The survey will run until the 27th April.

Latest section of Yate Spur cycle path open

We are delighted that the latest section of the Yate Spur cycle path, from Westerleigh Road to Broad Lane, Westerleigh, is now open.

Temporary closure of North Road and Nibley Lane

These roads are expected to be closed for cleansing work to be carried out:

• North Road,between Armstrong Way and the bridge over the River Frome, will be closed from 6.00am – 9.00am on 19th April 
• Nibley Lane between Badminton Road and the Holly Hill junction is expected to be closed from 11.30am - 2.30pm on 20th April

Broadband delays

South Gloucestershire Council have informed us that work to install fibre to a number of cabinets/structures is currently on hold whilst they work with Openreach to identify solutions to problems including severely blocked ducting, land subsidence and wayleave issues.

The list of affected cabinets can be found here. We will update you once we have further information.

Good news on mud and rocks on Westerleigh Road

Good news for anyone driving on Westerleigh Road or walking along the pavements - the mud and stones are being cleared and tipping stopped until further notice.

Local people were horrified when tipping started at Beech Hill Farm three weeks ago, leaving the roads strewn with mud and debris. I raised it with the council's planning enforcement team and since then have been continuing to share residents' complaints with them and Street Care, the team that looks after our roads. I also wrote directly to Keyway, the firm carrying out the tipping.

When I spoke to the Head of Street Care yesterday he told me that Keyway had been told to get a sweeper and team of workers with shovels out that day to clear the roads, otherwise the council would do the job and charge them for it. Even by the time this picture was taken at lunchtime yesterday the situation was much improved and as you can see a sweeper was in action.

Now someone is out with a pressure washer hosing down the pavements and a sweeper is cleaning all the roads around and leading to the land fill. Keyway have confirmed to me that they have closed the tip until further notice.

Could you be a foster carer?

There are more than 160 children in care in South Gloucestershire who need a stable home. South Glos Council want to hear from anyone who has ever considered fostering and would like to know more about this rewarding role.

They are holding a series of information sessions during April and anyone who is interested can come along to get information and talk to professionals about what’s involved.

Drop-in sessions are being held throughout South Gloucestershire where the fostering team will be available to answer any questions:

• Saturday 7 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm, at South Gloucestershire Council Offices, Badminton Road, Yate BS37 5AF 
• Wednesday 11 April, 1pm to 3pm, at Emersons Green Village Hall, Emerson Way, Emersons Green BS16 7AP 
• Thursday 19 April, 7pm to 9pm, at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS 
• Friday 27 April, 12 midday to 7pm, at Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood BS15 9TR.

Mud on road near Beech Hill

Thank you to those who have raised concerns that tipping has started at Beech Hill Farm and there is mud on the road. Claire Young raised this with the relevant officers at South Gloucestershire Council, who have promised to investigate.