Another chance to have your say on composting application

SITA have submitted a number of new documents in an attempt to overcome objections to their plans to build a composting facility near Tormarton. There will now be a new round of consultation, ending on 26th January.

Have your say - Gypsy and Traveller Sites consultation

South Gloucestershire Council is currently consulting on proposals for 53 permanent and 25 transit pitches for Gypsies and Travellers across South Gloucestershire, including a number in the wards covered by this blog. The "Towards Preferred Options" document sets out possible sites and asks people to comment on them. You have until Thursday 29th January 2009 to have your say.

You can view the consultation documents on the South Glos website.

You can respond in several ways:

Send a letter or response form to: Spatial Planning Team, South Gloucestershire Council, The Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury, South Glos BS35 1HF

Email comments or response forms to: planningLDF@southglos.gov.uk

Complete the electronic response form via the Council's online consultation system: consultations.southglos.gov.uk.

However you respond, it's important to state which part of the consultation document your comment relates to and what change(s) you would like to see made. As with all planning consultations, comments cannot be made confidentially.

For further information, there is a dedicated answering service on 01454 863738. If you leave your name, contact details and what information you require, someone will get back to you, usually within 24 hours. Lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday until 29 January and leaving the message will be charged at mobile rates.

Roadworks on B4058 Bristol Road

Between 12th and 23rd January 2009, the B4058 Bristol Road, Frampton Cotterell, between Perrinpit crossroads and Station Road, Iron Acton, will have the old surface planed off and a new surface laid. Temporary multi-way traffic signals will be in use at the crossroads, and two-way signals will be used as work progresses along Bristol Road.

Although these roadworks will be restricted to off-peak hours, they are expected to cause significant delays to traffic. Alternative routes will be kept clear of all but urgent other works.

B4465 roadworks suspended for bank holidays

There have been temporary traffic lights on B4465 Wapley Road "Codrington Hill", from the water bottling/ brewery works to A46 while the carraigeway is reconstructed. These works have been suspended over the bank holidays.

Bridle way closure

The bridleway between Dodington Lane and Wapley Road (B4465) is closed temporarily because of adverse ground conditions and the works needed to remedy them. The work is likely to take 3 weeks. The alternative route for walkers is Dodington Lane, footpath, Gibbs Lane, footpath,Wapley Road (B4465), and vice versa and for horse riders is Dodington Lane, Gibbs Lane, Wapley Road (B4465) and vice versa.

Energy problems - and advice on renewable energy

With the cold weather and economic problems, many people will be worried about their fuel bills this winter. Local MP Steve Webb has discovered that the vast majority of people in "fuel poverty" are missing out on the special deals for vulnerable people. You can read more on Steve's blogg and in The Times.

If your thoughts have turned to alternative forms of energy, you might be interested in SG Futurenergy, a partnership between South Gloucestershire Council and the Severn Wye Energy Agency which offers advice on renewable energy. The scheme also offers grants and low interest loans to help people install renewable energy.

Merry Christmas from your Focus Team

Merry Christmas from your Focus Team. We hope you have an enjoyable festive season.

If you're wondering about changes to Council services over Christmas, you can find information on the South Glos website. For example you can find out the changed days for bin collections and the library opening times.

Weekend flooding

Saturday's downpours left many parts of our area flooded. Newman's Close and Old Mill Close in Westerleigh suffered and the A432 Badminton Road was affected opposite St Saviours Church in Coalpit Heath. There was flooding once again at the junctions of Ram Hill and Henfield Road and Ruffet Road and Coalsack Lane. The latter three sites had only been looked at recently. On Monday Claire Young spoke to the Council's drainage engineer about the problems, which will be investigated.

One small piece of good news was that The Quadrangle, which has been affected by flooding in the past, was clear this time.

New crossing for Westerleigh

At Thursday's Frome Vale Area Forum, local Councillors voted to support the creation of a new crossing on Westerleigh Road in Westerleigh.

Local Councillor Claire Young said, “This road is used by commuters as a rat run. Some form of crossing is desperately needed to make it easier for those getting off buses at the bus stop to cross the road and to slow the traffic through the village.”

The Area Forum also highlighted the high accident rate on Church Road in Frampton Cotterell. Cllr Dave Hockey called on the Cabinet Member responsible for Transport to tackle this under the Council’s Casualty Reduction Programme and the Forum agreed that creating a pedestrian refuge on the road should be a priority.