Westerleigh traffic calming delayed until May

Work on the Westerleigh traffic calming scheme was due to start this week, but because Shorthill Road needs to be closed for the construction of the raised table officers have postponed it until the May school half term (week starting 26th May).

The delay is frustrating but it will allow plenty of time for the road closure to be booked, the diversion route to be confirmed and so forth. Hopefully this will mean there will be no further reasons to delay the scheme.

Sainsbury's application site visit

The site visit took place this morning for the application to build a Sainsbury's Local store in part of the Badminton Arms car park.

Claire Young spoke as local member, summarising the 200+ responses she's had to her survey. Just over 60% of those replying oppose the application. The biggest concern expressed was the impact on the existing shops and members of the committee asked for clarification on where they are. Highway safety was another worry, with reduced parking on site potentially leading to vehicles pulling up on the busy Badminton Road and concerns around the safety of the access and the location of the loading bay.

Claire asked members of the committee to look at where the neighbouring houses were in relation to the site, to consider the impact on them, and talked about the character of the village. This issue was picked up by Dave Hockey when he talked about the Village Design Statement after rain forced the meeting inside (see above). A Westerleigh Parish Councillor and two local residents also spoke about their concerns.

The meeting then moved back outside so that officers could demonstrate the footprint of the store to members. The Chair of the committee confirmed that the decision will be made at the Development Control (East) committee meeting starting at 3pm on Thursday 10th April in Kingswood Civic Centre.

Edited on 2nd April: The case officer has now informed Claire Young that the committee won't make their decision until their meeting on Thursday 8th May in Kingswood Civic Centre.

Foodbank donations at Dodington Annual Parish Meeting

Rob Vernon from the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank will be one of the speakers at the Dodington Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday (starting at 7.30pm in th Parish Hall). If you would like to take a donation with you to the meeting, you can find their current shopping list online.

Church Road bridge works - it's all happening!

Around two years ago a routine check revealed that the bridge over the Frome on Church Road was damaged. Since then a temporary 13T weight limit has been in place. Work to replace the bridge is now getting underway.

These rock-filled "gabians" being wired up by the Streetcare Team (pictured left) will form the base for the temporary pedestrian / cycle bridge. The bridge will also be used to support the services which will have to be diverted from the existing bridge. That work will start on 7 April and take up to 2 weeks. With the services diverted, the bridge will then be demolished and replaced starting 22 July for up to 6 weeks.

Signs have gone up all round warning motorists of the work. The official diversion route for motorised vehicles will be via A432 Badminton Road, B4059 Stover Road, B4059 Yate Road, B4058 Bristol Road.

Sainsbury's Local site visit details

Members of the Development Control (East) planning committee are expected to arrive at the Badminton Arms, Coalpit Heath for their site visit for the Sainsbury's Local application at about 10.50am next Friday 28th March. The time is of course only a guide, they are visiting sites in Hanham and Kingswood first. You can find the agenda and the report online. 

Supporters and objectors each have up to 3 minutes as a group to raise their issues, so it's best to choose someone to be a spokesperson. Claire Young will have a separate 3 minute slot as the local ward councillor.

Yate Safer Stronger Community Group on Monday

The Yate Safer Stronger Community Group, which includes Dodington Parish, meets on Monday 17th March at 7pm in Shireway Community Centre. The agenda is available online.

Church Road bridge replacement update

People living close to the road bridge on Church Road have been given more details on the upcoming works to replace it.

Initial work to construct a temporary pedestrian bridge downstream of the existing bridge will begin on 17 March and Church Road will remain open during this time.

From 7 April, Church Road will close for three weeks while preliminary works are carried out on the existing bridge. Diversions will be in place during this time. Church Road will reopen after this phase.

From 28 July, Church Road will close for six weeks to allow for demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the new bridge. The work has been scheduled to take place during the school summer holidays to minimise disruption to school bus service. Diversions will be in place during this time.

Further information on this and other major road schemes taking place in South Gloucestershire between now and March 2015 are available at www.southglos.gov.uk/nfringeworks

Sainsbury's application to go to planning committee

Those who commented on the application for a Sainsbury's Local store in the car park of the Badminton Arms, Coalpit Heath were today sent an email in error saying that a decision has been made. It hasn't. A later email explained that revised plans have been submitted and residents have until  27th March to comment on them.

If you have already commented and the new plans don't change your view, there is no need to comment again. You can view the plans and make comments on the South Glos website. If for any reason that link doesn't work, go to http://developments.southglos.gov.uk/online-applications/ and enter the reference number PK13/4401/F.

Members of the Development Control (East) planning committee are expected to visit the site on Friday 28th March. It is not yet certain whether it will be considered at the following committee meeting starting at 3pm on Thursday 10th April in Kingswood Civic Centre. If you would like to attend the meeting, it's worth penciling it in your diary.

If you would like to receive email updates on the progress of this application, please sign up here.

Nibley Lane to close for cleaning

Nibley Lane, between Badminton Road and Westerleigh Road, is expected to be closed for cleaning from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Tuesday 18th March.

Library to celebrate local author

Residents campaigning against development on land at Woodlands Farm, Coalpit Heath, pointed out the link with children's author Dick King-Smith, whose book The Sheep Pig became the blockbuster film Babe. The late author's birthday will be celebrated at Winterbourne Library on Saturday 29th March when the "Dick King Smith Birthday Storytime " will be held from 2.30 until 3.30pm, with refreshments and cake.

Calling all runners

Following on the success of the Little Stoke Park Run, another has now started in Chipping Sodbury. You can find out more on their website.

Westerleigh resurfacing

Westerleigh village is included in Street Care's patching programme for 2014/15 and they intend to surface dress through the village in 2015/16.

Another way to get to Southmead and other hospitals

Green Community Travel now manages a dedicated Hospital Transport Scheme Monday to Friday to Southmead, Frenchay, BRI, Oncology and Bristol Eye and Dental Hospitals. You can find out more on their website and facebook page.

Henfield speeding problems to be investigated

Henfield residents were out in force at last night's Frome Vale Area Forum to voice their concerns about the speed of traffic on Henfield Road and in other parts of the Quiet Lanes Scheme. Others who were unable to be there sent in letters and emails raising their concerns. Representatives from Westerleigh Parish Council were there to support them.

Westerleigh councillor Claire Young said, "It was very clear to the Area Forum that more needs to be done to stop people speeding on Henfield Road, especially on the blind bend shortly after drivers come off Westerleigh Road. We agreed that traffic calming measures should be investigated for the rural part of Henfield Road and that the current Quiet Lanes Scheme measures should be reviewed to see if they can be improved."

The move followed a meeting between Westerleigh Parish Council, a highways officer, local beat manager Finbar Simmons and Claire to discuss the problems.

Good news on parking for North Road residents

At last night's Frome Vale Area Forum, we considered objections to the proposed waiting restriction changes on the trading estates close to the council offices. We agreed to implement the proposals as advertised, excluding the section of Waverley Road that extends beyond the adopted highway and the planned removal of the existing waiting restriction on Woodward Avenue. The latter was decided after a member of the public successfully argued that it would make the road less safe for pedestrians and not increase the available parking as people who currently have access to a car park would use it as it is closer to their workplace.

The good news for residents on the small rank of cottages on North Road is that this means they will now have parking permits to use the road outside their houses so that people from the council offices don't stop them parking there.

Success for local groups and projects at Area Forum

A number of local groups were awarded small grants at last night's Area Forum:

• Friends of Ram Hill Colliery £100
• Frampton Cotterell Male Voice Choir £1500
• Wickwar Preschool £1750

From the New Homes Bonus, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council was awarded £36,270 to install pellet burning heating systems and upgrade the lighting for greater energy efficiency in The Pavillion and The Brockeridge Centre.

Rangeworthy Village Hall was given £3,700 to install double glazing and new fire doors. Iron Acton Parish Council received £13,000 to install recreational equipment for teenagers, while Iron Acton Community Cinema got £2680 to buy a projector and other equipment. Tytherington Parish Council was awarded £4110 for Jubilee Field repairs.

Help to quit smoking

Next Wednesday, 12th March, is No Smoking Day.

Smokefree South Gloucestershire offer free support to stop smoking through local GP surgeries, pharmacies and specialist appointments and groups in the community. From 11am to 4pm there will be an event at Yate leisure centre to promote a healthy, smokefree lifestyle. There will be carbon monoxide breath testing, blood pressure checks and fitness challenges throughout the event. For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/smokefree

Safety improvements for Dodington Road

There was good news at last night's Frome Vale Area Forum for residents campaigning for safety improvements around the railway bridge on Dodington Road, Chipping Sodbury.

Local resident Stephen Gregson, pictured left with ward councillor Claire Young, spoke about the most recent accident and urged members to take action. Members agreed funding to create a 70m hard surfaced pavement from the access to the school playing field to a safer crossing point, where dropped kerbs will be installed. Currently pedestrians have to cross on the bridge where visibility is poor.

40th celebrations for Yate Leisure Centre

On Sunday 9th March, it will be exactly 40 years since Yate Leisure Centre opened.

From 12 noon onwards there will be a free programme of fun events for all the family and you will be able to swim for just 20p, the price in 1974. Funds raised will go to the British Heart Foundation.

To find out more call 0300 333 0300.

Bus service changes

Changes are in the pipeline for our local bus services.

Getting to Southmead hospital

Last week we told you there was good news on buses to Southmead hospital from our villages. Starting 13th April, First will be running service 82 hourly to Southmead via Cribbs and Parkway, leaving Yate at 6.20am until 7pm, with the last return from Southmead at 8pm. The 581 will be replaced by the 81, giving the option of a half hourly service to Southmead changing at Parkway or the longer hourly direct service.

First Bus changes

First are also renumbering other services and changing their timetables:

• The 689 becomes the X49 (see more below)
• The 342/X42 becomes the 47/X47.
• First will be running a commercial service, the X46, to replace the subsidised X27 that Wessex currently run. It will only go as far as Bristol bus station, not on to Anchor Road as the current service does, but it will extend beyond Yate to Chipping Sodbury. Wessex are looking to continue to run the X27 as a commercial service, but with reduced frequency.

Consultation on changes to subsidised services

South Glos Council is asking for your views on planned changes to some of the services it subsidises.

• The 689 Yate to Bristol service will be replaced by a new commercial service, X49, run by First, saving the council £40,000 in subsidy. It is good news for passengers as it will run earlier in the morning and later in the evening than the current service and will be extended to run on Sundays.
• The council plans to stop the experimental 222 Longwell Green-Chipping Sodbury service, which goes via Yate, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath and Kendleshire, to save £150,000.
• The 622 Cribbs Causeway to Chipping Sodbury service, which goes via the Stover Road area, Rangeworthy and Tytherington, would no longer run before 9am.

The council is also proposing to save £110,000 by no longer subsidising supported school services where the services are not readily available to the public and there are no pupils entitled to free transport using the routes. Instead they will support schools and parent groups to arrange their own transport.

Those that affect pupils in our area are:

• 680 – Frampton Cotterell – UWE – SGS Filton College (but the 81 offers an alternative service)
• 967 – South Yate – Chipping Sodbury Secondary School – Brimsham Green School (for which there is currently no alternative – one pupil has been using the service from Westerleigh village)

You can find out more and make comments on the South Glos website before the end of March.

Temporary road closure

Westerleigh Road is expected to close between its junctions with Coalsack Lane and Cookes Lane for one week from the 11th April. The closure is to allow drainage repair works to be carried out.