Latest on Yate Spur Cycle Path

Thank you again to everyone who signed our Yate Spur cycle path petition. Just before Christmas Claire Young had a response to the petition from a council highways officer. It confirmed that:

• The completion of the route is a priority for the council
• The new crossing point on Westerleigh Road was due to be completed before Christmas.
• Subject to final approval of the funding, the next significant section, providing an off-road cycle path from the Westerleigh Road crossing to Broad Lane and improving the existing track from Broad Lane to the Dodmoor level crossing, will be implemented in 2015/16. The funding would also cover drawing up plans for the final section.
• Subject to planning, agreements over the lease/purchase of non-Council owned land and the approval of a future funding bid, the aim would be to complete that final section in 2016/17.
• The council continue to look for further funding opportunities that might allow earlier completion of the route.

At Claire's request, the petition was passed to the Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Investment Board, which was considering funding for the 2015/16 work at its meeting on 12^th December. They approved it, but the programme has to be formally signed off by the Strategic Leaders Board at their meeting on 9th January. Hopefully this will be a formality, but the Investment Board kindly referred the petition on to them so they too would be aware of the strong support for this scheme. The Planning, Transportation and Strategic Environment Committee on South Gloucestershire Council will then have to approve the Local Transport Capital Programme, including externally funded schemes like this one, at their 25^th March meeting.

Although we are close to securing funding for the next section, we still need to get funding for the final section. We are therefore keeping the petition open and will continue to press for the path’s completion.

Westerleigh Parish Council to consider new homes questions

At their meeting starting at 7.15pm on Monday 5th January in the Manor Hall, Coalpit Heath, Westerleigh Parish Council will be considering questions posed by residents of Westerleigh about the proposals for up to 20 new homes in the village. You can find the agenda on the Parish Council's website.

It is extremely important that as many Westerleigh residents as possible respond to the consultation being run by South Gloucestershire Council on two possible sites for building up to 20 new homes. Links to information about the proposals and a response form can be found at www.southglos.gov.uk/policiessitesandplaces. Comments must be submitted to the Council by Tuesday 13 January at the very latest.

Claire has created a page giving more background information for those interested in how we got here and what the next steps are.

Recycling Christmas trees

If you have a real Christmas tree, South Glos Council say there are a number of ways you can recycle it when the festivities are over:

• If you have subscribed to the garden waste service you can put your real Christmas tree in your green bin for kerbside collection on your collection day. Please cut the tree into manageable pieces and make sure the tree is not wedged into the bin.
• You can buy a single use garden waste sack for £2 from your nearest South Gloucestershire library. Please attach the sack to the tree and leave out for collection on your bin collection day (you don’t need to worry about cutting the tree to fit it in the sack).
• You can also recycle your tree at one of South Gloucestershire’s four Sort It centres. 

Please remember to remove all decorations, pots and stands before recycling your Christmas tree. Recycled trees will be processed with the rest of South Gloucestershire’s garden waste and turned into fertiliser and mulch. To check your collection day please visit www.southglos.gov.uk/localconnection

Merry Christmas from your Focus Team

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers from your Focus Team. We hope you have an enjoyable festive season.

Planning application submitted for council office solar scheme

The planning application has now been submitted for the proposed solar scheme on land next to the Badminton Road Council Offices at Nibley.

Last week we reported on a meeting we had with officers about the proposals. You can now view the plans and make comments online.If for any reason that link doesn't work, go to the planning application search page and enter the reference number PK14/4785/R3F. You have until 6th January to make comments.

Time for young people to have their say on youth service

Are you a young person living in Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Westerleigh or Iron Acton? If so, follow this link before 21st January 2015 to tell Frampton Cotterell Parish Council what you want and need for your new youth service. And if you're not aged 11-19, please pass this link on to anyone you know locally who is.

After months of bitter arguments over the future of the Brockeridge Youth Club, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council unanimously agreed to appoint an experienced, qualified Youth Work Leader from the very successful Chipping Sodbury Youth Club to liaise with local young people and find out what they would like for the Frampton Cotterell & Coalpit Heath area.

Since a large part of Coalpit Heath is in Westerleigh Parish, Cllr. Eve Carey has joined the Youth Working Group representing Westerleigh Parish Council - just like Frampton Cotterell Parish Council they are  interested in ensuring that local youngsters have somewhere to go where they can enjoy themselves and get professional support when needed. The provision of 'Outreach Services' to young people who prefer not to attend a youth club will also be considered.

Dave Hockey said, "I'm delighted that we have at last managed to find a way forward that is constructive and has the full support of Frampton Cotterell Parish Council. I look forward to finding out what local young people want for their youth club and to get the advice of the appointed Youth Work Leader."

Free Christmas events for children

Our local libraries are once again running free Christmas events for children including:

Saturday 20 December

Festive fun
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Drop in to make Christmas cards and decorations.

Stories round the Christmas tree
Winterbourne Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Festive stories around the Christmas tree, crafts and refreshments. Most suitable for two to eight-year-olds accompanied by a parent or carer.

Tuesday 23 December
Help yourself crafts
Winterbourne Library, 2pm to 4pm
Help yourself crafts in the children’s library - using up materials from craft sessions from throughout 2014. Bring a parent or carer to give you a helping hand.

Tuesday 30 December
Stir your senses
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Make your own pomanders, mobiles and shakers.

Help yourself crafts
Winterbourne Library, 2pm to 4pm
Help yourself crafts in the children’s library - using up materials from craft sessions from throughout 2014. Bring a parent or carer to give you a helping hand.

Wednesday 31 December
New Year crafts
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am
Welcome in the New Year with a craft drop in - making masks, calendars and sharing good memories.

Saturday 3 January
Winter craft fun
Chipping Sodbury Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Seasonal crafts.

Winter crafts and fun
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Seasonal crafts.

Some libraries will also be holding free storytime and rhymetime sessions for babies and toddlers and their parents or carers to enjoy stories, action songs and rhymes together. These include:

Tuesday 23 December
Rhymetime fun
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive rhymetime.

Tuesday 30 December
Rhymetime fun
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive rhymetime.
For more information contact the libraries on 01454 868006 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Christmas opening times

Local MP Steve Webb has sent out the following useful round-up of local Christmas opening times:

Constituency Office of Steve Webb MP - Opening Hours

The office will be open as usual over the holiday period, with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2nd January. You can contact me on 01454 322100 or steve@stevewebb.org.uk.

Christmas Posting Dates

The last posting dates for Christmas are as follows:
Thursday 18 December    - 2nd Class and Royal Mail Signed For®
Saturday 20 December    - 1st Class and Royal Mail Signed For®
Monday 22 December - Parcelforce Worldwide 48 hours delivery
Tuesday 23 December - Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®

South Glos Council Services

One Stop Shops

One Stop Shops will be closed from Christmas eve afternoon (from 1pm) and on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January.

Recycling and waste collections

Recycling centres

All sites are open as usual, apart from 25 December to 28 December and 1 January.

Christmas collections

Bin collections will continue as normal, with the exception of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. You will still have the usual amount of collections over Christmas, but the days might change. You can also check the dates using the Council’s collection date checker.

Recycling your real Christmas tree

There are several options to dispose of your real Christmas tree.

a) Using the garden waste service

If you have subscribed to the garden waste service you can put it in your green bin, or alternatively you can purchase a garden waste sack for £2 from your nearest library or Country Stores at 48 High Street Marshfield SN14 8LP. You don’t need to worry about the cutting the tree to fit it in the sack.

b) Taking it to a recycling centre

You can recycle your tree at one of the four Sort It centres

Train times over the holiday period

Network Rail will be conducting essential engineering works over the Christmas period.  Details of changes to the usual schedule are as follows:

Christmas Eve

Timings of trains will start to change from 1700 across the network, and from 1500 in the London and Thames Valley area. The last train will leave Paddington before 2130.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day

No scheduled train services.

Saturday 27 December

Local services into London will start from around 1100 because of work in the Hayes and Harlington area, and long distance services into and out of London will be limited. We are advising customers to use other routes where possible, or to travel after 1100.  Tickets will be valid on other routes.

Saturday 27 December – Sunday 4 January

A reduced timetable will operate and diversions will be in place. Journey times may take longer than normal.

First Great Western have set out the changes in detail for each route on their website: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Christmas2014

Emergency Pharmacy Opening Times in South Gloucestershire

Pharmacy opening times for the December and January Bank Holidays 2014/15. 

Asda Pharmacy, Craven Way, Longwell Green, BS30 7DY
Tel: 0117 3012810
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 1st January: 10:00 - 16:00

*Asda Pharmacy, Highwood Lane, Patchway, BS34 5TL
Tel: 0117 3172410
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 1st January: 10:00 - 16:00

Boots Pharmacy, Unit 1, Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke Way, Bradley Stoke,  BS32 8EF
Tel: 01454 202327
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 1st January: closed

Boots Pharmacy, 116, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Patchway, BS34 5UP
Tel: 0117 9509744
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 08:30 - 18:00
Thursday 1st January: closed

Boots Pharmacy, Unit 1a, Emersons Green Retail Centre, Emerson’s Green, BS16 7AE
Tel: 0117 9575893
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 1st January: 10:00 - 17:00

*Boots Pharmacy, Unit D, Gallagher Retail Park, Longwell Green, BS30 7DY
Tel: 0117 9678963
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 07:30 - 11:30 and 12:00 - 00:00
Thursday 1st January: 07:30 - 11:30 and 12:00 - 00:00

Boots Pharmacy, 15-17, North Walk, Yate, BS37 4AP
Tel: 01454 312589
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 08:30 - 17:30
Thursday 1st January: closed

Bradley Stoke Pharmacy, Brook Way,  Bradley Stoke,  BS32 9DS
Tel: 01454 612855
Thursday 25th December: 10:00 - 12:00
Friday 26th December: closed
Thursday 1st January: closed

Frome Valley Pharmacy, Frome Valley Medical Centre, 2 Court Road, Frampton Cotterell BS36 2DE
Tel: 01454 773755
Thursday 25th December: 12:00 - 14:00
Friday 26th December: closed
Thursday 1st January: 12:00 - 14:00

Sainsbury's Pharmacy, Emersons Way, Emerson’s Green, BS16 7AE
Tel: 0117 9569849
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 1st January: 10:00 - 17:00

Sainsbury's Pharmacy, Fox Den Road, Filton, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8SS
Tel: 0117 9793412
Thursday 25th December: closed
Friday 26th December: 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 1st January: 10:00 - 15:00

Westbourne Road Pharmacy, 26, Westbourne Road, Downend, BS16 6RX
Tel: 0117 9565836
Thursday 25th December: 14:00 - 16:00
Friday 26th December: closed
Thursday 1st January: closed
*These pharmacies have a specialist medicines service.

Christmas lights in Westerleigh

Once again Mill Crescent is lit up for Christmas to raise money for charity. This year the collection will go to St Peter's Hospice.

Latest on collection of unused green bins

On Friday, we reported on plans to collect unused green bins locally. Unfortunately the leaflet company let down the council and didn't deliver the leaflets telling people about the collection dates. This means that some of those included in the Frampton Cotterell pick-ups (parts of Coalpit Heath as well as Frampton Cotterell) missed out. Claire Young has taken this up with council officials and has been promised there will be another collection in the new year. Bin tags will be used instead of leaflets through doors to deliver the information. You can also request a collection or take your bin to the Sort It centre.

A large part of Westerleigh ward is due to have their unused green bins collected on Friday 19th September. You need to put it out by 7am and it must be empty. If you currently receive help putting out your bins and require assistance to put your unwanted green bin out, please contact 01454 868000. This is also the number to call if you have any other queries.

Don't forget that if you've found another use for your green bin you can keep it. And if you do subscribe to garden waste collections, don't leave it out empty when the unused bins are being picked up to avoid any confusion.

All Westerleigh housing documents now online

The technical issues that affected the South Glos website last week have been sorted and you can now view all the information from the exhibition on the options for up to 20 new homes in Westerleigh.

As we explained on Friday, the council has agreed to extend the deadline for comments because of this delay. So now you have until 13th January 2015 to respond - even if some of the documents still say 9th January.

It's very important that whether you support housing on one of the two sites, both or neither, that you respond to the consultation to let the council know your views. Please let Claire know what you think too.

Westerleigh housing options consultation documents now online

The information from last week's well-attended exhibition on the options for up to 20 new homes in Westerleigh was due to be made available on South Glos Council's website this week.

Unfortunately this has been delayed due to technical issues with the website. The council has therefore agreed to a request from Claire Young and the Parish Council for that deadline to be extended from 9th January until 13th January. The consultation form can be accessed here.

It's important that whether you support housing on one of the two sites, both or neither, that you respond to the consultation to let the council know your views. Please let Claire know what you think too.

Campaigners call for cycle path to be finished

Paul Hulbert and Claire Young launching the petition in August

Westerleigh Councillor Claire Young delivered a petition to a meeting of South Gloucestershire Council on Wednesday as part of an ongoing campaign for the completion of the ‘Yate Spur’ cycle path. The petition has so far been signed by over 300 residents from Yate, Westerleigh and further afield.

Claire said: “This petition shows there is strong support for completing the “Yate Spur” cycle path, which currently stops just south of Westerleigh but is planned to link up the village and Yate with the Bristol-Bath railway path and the wider cycle network. When it’s finished, it will provide a safe, off-road route for travelling to the Science Park at Emerson’s Green, Bristol city centre, Bath and beyond. Families will be able to enjoy leisure rides and it will make commuting to work by bike a realistic option for many more people.”

Local resident Rob Bushill spoke at the meeting in support of the petition.“There are just two ways in and out of Yate towards Bristol. Via Badminton Road, which has a lot of heavy traffic, or via Westerleigh, a narrow rat run of twisting bumpy country lanes that is so off putting and dangerous that even experienced cyclists avoid it. Yate has become an island to anyone bar the car driver, which is incredible considering that 30 plus miles of great cycleway is available just 2 miles away."

“By constructing this small but complex stretch of pathway, it will open up the shops of Emerson’s Green, the things for the family in Bath and Bristol, even provide a safer but longer route to the offices of Emerald Park and the Science Park. It’s 50 minutes to Bristol by bike, it’s a viable means of transport in the week and a source of family enjoyment at the weekends. It’s definitely not just for lycra-clad cyclists. By building these last few miles of cycleway, a huge barrier to people making those trips would be taken away.”

The Local Economic Partnership (LEP) Investment Board are due to consider further funding for the scheme at a meeting today. Claire called upon the Council to present the petition to them and lobby for the extra funding. We will continue campaigning until we have secured this vital sustainable transport link You can add your support here.

Unwanted green bin collection

If you live in Frampton Cotterell or Westerleigh ward and don't want to keep your green bin, you can put it out next week for it to be taken away.

Whether you do that on Monday 15th December or Friday 19th December depends on which road you live in and doesn't exactly follow either the ward boundaries or the postal addresses. It depends on which bin round you're on. You should get a leaflet through your door telling you which day it is - if your bin is being collected on Monday, you should have received the leaflet today or will get it tomorrow. It is being delivered by a delivery company so may come mixed in with advertising flyers - check carefully and don't just stick it in the recycling with everything else!

You need to put it out by 7am and it must be empty. If you currently receive help putting out your bins and require assistance to put your unwanted green bin out, please contact 01454 868000.

(Edited on Friday evening as updated information provided by the council).

Park Lane speeding

At the recent Safer Stronger Community Group, Claire Young raised the issue of speeding on Park Lane on behalf of residents.

In the year to the end of October 2014 the camera van visited Park Lane (outside number 66) 21 times for an hour each and 223 tickets were issued. Beat manager PC Simmons also carries out checks on foot and he suggested co-ordinating those with the camera van, the mobile Vehicle Activated Sign and the Community Speedwatch teams.

If you are concerned about speeding on Park Lane between Badminton Road and the village boundary and would like to help, please contact speedwatch co-ordinator John Pearce on 07843 871387.

Westerleigh Road resurfacing

Claire Young was pleased when the council responded to her repeated requests on behalf of residents for Westerleigh Road to be resurfaced through Westerleigh. The prepatory patching work was carried out recently, ready for the resurfacing to be done in the spring/summer next year. Unfortunately at this site and others where patching has been carried out, there has been what officers believe is a problem with the material used. They are awaiting the results of formal independent tests before taking further action.

Solar scheme at Badminton Road

Earlier this year, we reported that the council was proposing to put solar panels on land next to the council offices at Nibley. This morning Claire Young and fellow councillors met officers to discuss the plans before an application is submitted.This would be a very small scheme compared to the commercial solar farms that have sprung up in the area recently, the aim being to provide electricity for the council offices.

While keen for the council to save money in a positive way and use greener energy, your Focus Team was concerned that enough space should be left for the long-planned park and ride.This now needs to be bigger than originally planned due to all the new homes being built in Yate. The good news is that the latest plans allow for a 236 space car park, with the possibility of further spaces behind the offices. The solar panels would go on the slightly higher ground towards the back of the site in the top picture, which isn't suitable for car parking.

Your Focus Team is campaigning to get the park and ride built, along with other transport schemes in the Yate area. Go to http://letsgetyatemoving-ldthornburyandyate.nationbuilder.com  to back the campaign and share your experiences and ideas about local transport.

Frampton End Road to be deep cleaned

Next Wednesday (10th December) Frampton End Road is scheduled to get a "deep clean". A digger will be used to get mud off the road, the vegetation will be cut back with a flail and there will be highways and cleansing teams on hand to do other tasks.

Don't forget that local resident Alan Bracey is looking for volunteers to help keep the road clean and tidy for all to enjoy. If you can help, please contact Alan on 01454 772837 or email him at: aljenbracey@blueyonder.co.uk

Shop locally this Saturday

This Saturday (6th December) is Small Business Saturday UK. In South Gloucestershire, participating traders and independent shops will be getting involved, including in Yate, and you can win £100 to spend at one of the businesses.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply tweet the South Gloucestershire Council Twitter account @sgloscouncil on Saturday 6 December and tell the council why you like to shop locally and/or suggest your favourite independent shop in South Gloucestershire. All tweets must include the hashtag #southglos and the best tweet will win the voucher.

For more info about Small Business Saturday events and offers in South Gloucestershire visit www.southglos.gov.uk/smallbusinesssaturday

South Glos Council to start collecting unwanted green bins

If you don't use your green bin, South Glos will be collecting them shortly. Obviously they won't collect it if you use it for green waste, and you can keep it if you use it for anything else (for example, some people have found that they're handy for garden tools)

Details of the green bin removal day will be provided on a leaflet that will be delivered to your address one week before the collection. This is a one off service and if you no longer want your green bin it must be put out for removal on the date on the leaflet you receive.

All green bins for removal must be outside by 7 am on the appropriate day and must be empty. They will not take any bins that contain waste, including garden waste.

If you currently receive help putting out your bins and require assistance to put your unwanted green bin out, please contact 01454 868000 or e-mail sortitteam@sita.co.uk prior to your removal day.

Warning - if you subscribe to the green bin collection service, please make sure that your bin is not outside on "removal day" or it will disappear!

Full details are on the South Glos website here.

Could you be a school crossing patrol person?

The Manor School is currently looking for a new school crossing patrol person. Parents feel much happier walking children to school, or allowing older children to walk by themselves, if there is someone to help them across the road at the school. Contact Claire Young to find out more.

Latest on parking problems

As we reported last month, parking continues to be a problem on some of our local roads.

School run parking

Although the 3 strikes scheme recently introduced by PCSO Andy Pound has been positive, some residents expressed concern that there wasn’t sufficient police presence to support it fully, as only the police can issue tickets. On Friday local councillor Claire Young attended a meeting at the school with the headteacher, governors, residents and PC Finbar Simmons. During the meeting, PC Simmons committed to giving the issue extra attention, and at last night's Safer Stronger Community Group meeting it was selected as a priority, which will help him argue for prioritising it over other work.

South Gloucestershire Council now has a parking enforcement camera car and while Claire was presenting the results of her survey to the committee on 12th November she also asked for the necessary steps to be taken to enable it to be used at the Manor School. At Friday’s meeting, she agreed to arrange an on-site meeting with the police and a highways officer to discuss this further and that is being done.

As well as enforcement, it’s also important to try to reduce the number of people driving to school. Claire has spoken to the Road Safety Officer at South Glos and she has now sent the headteacher details of a new scheme, "Five Minute Walking Zones", to promote children walking at least part of the way to school.

Other parking concerns

School run parking isn't the only concern for local residents, something Claire raised at last night's Safer Stronger Group meeting. Following concerns from residents, Claire wrote to both the football club and Fitquest asking them to remind their members to park considerately. Both responded positively - the football club are putting it on their next agenda and Fitquest have assured her that they remind their users every session and do spot checks.

In Claire's survey, people also expressed concern about people parking too close to certain junctions and Claire took this up with officers. White lines were introduced at the junctions off Roundways following a previous meeting she had on-site with highways officers. They are now proposing similar advisory keep clear lines at the junctions of Heath Gardens/Henfield Road and Station Road/The Brake. Although they are only advisory, the fact that someone is parked on them does help the police build a case for issuing a ticket for obstruction.

At last night's meeting, PC Finbar Simmons explained how the police approach parking problems. They need to be able to build a case that will stand up in court if the ticket is challenged. An obstruction has to be more than an inconvenience and courts will take into account how long it lasts, its nature, extent and purpose. Being prevented from leaving your driveway is an obstruction, but being temporarily blocked from entering isn't because you could park your vehicle elsewhere. With pavement parking, he will look to see if you can get a double buggy through. If there is an element of danger officers are more likely to be successful at court. If you are in any doubt, he advised you to call the police using the 101 number.

Have your say on Sort It! Centre changes

South Glos Council is consulting about possible changes to the Sort It Centres (recyling centres) to save money by limiting the amount of commercial waste and material brought in by people who don't live in South Glos. This could affect the way YOU use the Sort It Centres - options include:

• Limiting business use by clarifying the definition of a van, introducing van permits and limiting the number of times a van can visit in a year
• Asking local residents to pre-register for permits before visiting to reduce the number of non-residents using the sites
• Introducing a charge for the collection and disposal of some non-household waste items
• Changes to opening hours and the days sites are open

You can download the consultation document here. The consultation is open until 14 February,

You can find out more and let South Glos know your views by:

• Completing the consultation feedback survey (you can fill it in online or download and print it)
• Email: consultation@southglos.gov.uk          
• Write to: FREEPOST RTCT-JXLE-EET, South Gloucestershire Council, Corporate Research & Consultation Team, Sort It Centre   Changes Consultation, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BRISTOL, BS15 9TR
• Phone: 01454 868154

If you would like someone to talk to your group or organisation about these proposals, please contact South Glos using the details above to arrange.

Update on Westerleigh cycle path "missing link"

Work is currently under way to widen the carriageway on the northern side of Westerleigh Road near on the the Kidney Hill junction to accommodate a new refuge for the cycle route crossing. If you've driven out of Westerleigh towards Bristol recently you will have encountered the temporary traffic lights we warned you about in October.

The funds currently available for cycling schemes won't cover much more work, however. The major part of the scheme will be to bypass Westerleigh on a largely off-road track that will emerge under an unused arch of the railway bridge near the Shire Way mini-roundabout. We talked about the reasons for this strategic scheme in our blog post back in August when we launched our petition to get the final section of the route done as soon as possible.

Two lots of money will be needed - one lot for the detailed design work, consultations with residents and legal work, and one lot to carry out the actual construction. Probably the trickiest part of the design will be the last leg through to Shire Way, but it also brings opportunities to sort out the notorious Nibley Lane / Westerleigh Road junction, which will benefit motorists, and to get better pedestrian facilities too.

We think South Glos are now well aware of the need to carry out proper consultations for schemes like these, but we'll keep on their case to make sure that they do.

So whether you're a cyclist, a motorist or a pedestrian - and lots of people are all three - please sign our online petition here: http://tinyurl.com/cyclelink to make sure that the "missing link" is completed soon as possible.

Let's Get Yate Moving!

Local MP Steve Webb and Lib Dem Focus Team councillors have launched a campaign to improve public transport in and around Yate.

The campaign comes as thousands more houses are set to be built in and around Yate over the coming years, on top of hundreds already built in the last few years.   Campaigners are calling on South Gloucestershire Council to plan ahead for the new housing and make sure that there are proper public transport options for new and existing residents.

In particular, the Lib Dem team are calling for:

• A Park and Ride for Yate and the surrounding area, next to the Council offices at Badminton Road;
• For the Yate-Bristol rail route to be included in the electrification project for the Great Western mainline;
• For improved bus services in residential areas, especially for North and South Yate and Dodington, not just services from Yate town centre.

Go to http://letsgetyatemoving-ldthornburyandyate.nationbuilder.com  to back the campaign and share your experiences and ideas about local transport.