All change for our website

Next year all the seats on South Gloucestershire Council will be up for election on new ward boundaries. In preparation we will be putting all our stories for Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Iron Acton, Rangeworthy, Tytherington, Westerleigh and the surrounding areas on this blog. We will no longer be updating this site.

Have your say on 30mph limit in Rangeworthy

Rangeworthy Parish Council have asked for the speed limit on Wickwar Road between New Road and Old Wood Lane to be reduced to 30mph. It is a narrow rural lane with no footway for pedestrians and is used by villagers with children and dogs to access Old Wood Lane.

You can find out more and have your say on the consultation page.

Residents gagged in planning process changes

South Gloucestershire’s Conservative administration has announced a raft of new restrictions on the rights of residents and local councillors to question and challenge planning applications in their communities. Changes include:

• Local people will no longer have the right to attend or speak at planning site inspections.
• The two area development control committees for the East and West of South Gloucestershire are to be replaced by a single Spatial Planning Committee for the whole authority. All strategic developments will be considered by one sub-committee, meeting as and when needed, while all the smaller applications will go to another sub-committee, meeting monthly. This means an end to meetings for the western half of South Glos being held in Thornbury and a loss of local knowledge.
• Councillors will no longer have the right to “refer” contentious planning decisions to a meeting of the whole Council.
• There will be restrictions on the type of applications local councillors can refer to committee and they will no longer be able to request a site visit, that will be a decision for the committee itself or the Director.
• If councillors overturn the officer recommendation, it will have to be referred up to the Spatial Planning Committee to make the actual decision, with only those members who didn’t take the original decision allowed to take part. This is apparently to give them pause to reflect on whether this is really in the public interest.

Despite what the report claims, as opposition councillors we were not consulted on these major changes. Your Focus Team believes that they will tip the balance even further in favour of powerful developers and make it harder for local people to get their voice heard.

Good turnout at housing drop-in

Despite the confusion over the format of the event, there was a good turnout at the drop-in on the 1,800 homes proposed for Coalpit Heath.

If you weren't able to get along, we have obtained copies of the FAQ document and the options from the event and made them available for you to view online. Officers stress that, "They are initial draft master planning options designed to stimulate discussion at the event about the issues and neither represent a preferred or fully considered proposal. The references to ‘higher’ and ‘lower’ density on option 1 and 2 respectively are meant relatively to one another and not as a final solution."

Comments can still be made by email until Friday 18th May.

Update on Codrington broadband delivery problems

The council have informed us:

You may be aware that the delivery of broadband to West Codrington has been delayed. We’ve come up against a number of issues in this area, which mean we can’t install fibre through underground ducting to supply this area as we normally would, so need to explore more complex, costly and time-consuming engineering solutions.

Specifically, the existing ducting in this area is blocked, preventing us from running additional cables through it and as the section of road where the ducting is blocked has recently been completely resurfaced, legislation prevents us from digging up the road to clear it. Additionally, a high pressure water main means we can’t install new ducting or poles along the edge of the road.

We continue to explore alternative engineering solutions with a specialist Openreach team, but aren’t able to provide a definitive delivery date in this area at this time.

There is rather better news for other villages in our area - for more information, see the full update here.

Ram Hill 20mph speed limit

The Ram Hill 20mph speed limit was signed off by the Exec Member in March. Officers are putting together a construction plan, which is complicated by the Esso pipeline that runs through Ram Hill. The provisional construction date is 21st May but this could change due to the need to liaise with Esso before they start.

Update following Ruffet Road/Coalsack Lane drop in

Despite the short notice, there was a huge turnout for the three hour drop-in consultation event on Wednesday to discuss the Ruffet Road/Coalsack Lane experimental closure proposals.

Most people agreed that something needed to be done to reduce the number of accidents at Kendleshire crossroads but there were many different views on the best way of doing this. Officers will be taking all the views back to the Cabinet Member responsible so that he can make a decision on what to do next. If you haven't already done so, or wish to submit a revised response, please fill in the consultation online.

One concern was whether comments made before 30th April have the same weight as those submitted since. Officers have assured me that they will take any of the responses into account, either before or after 30th April but multiple responses from the same individual must be treated as a single submission. They will take the most recent response as the relevant one.

Update on drop-in event on 1,800 homes this Thursday

We've now been told that Thursday's drop-in event on the 1,800 homes proposed for Coalpit Heath is not, as we were previously told, for invited stakeholders only. It is open to all, whether or not they have received an invitation.

The event is being held from 1:30 to 6:30pm on Thursday 10th May at Coalpit Heath Village Hall (aka "The Miners"). 

Officers say:

"The 4 West of England Authorities have now submitted the Joint Spatial Plan to the Secretary of State for an Examination in Public, which is likely to take place later this year. Therefore, due to local interest we now wish to provide an opportunity for local people, key stakeholders and local representatives to discuss site master planning options such as: The type and location of new local facilities and employment uses The location and purpose of new green space(s) The location of vehicle, foot and cycle routes into and through the site. It will NOT however consider wider strategic transport issues which will be subject of their own formal public consultation period and events later this year."

They go on to add:

"Please note that final decisions regarding the Strategic Development Locations have not yet been made, and attendance will not affect any representations you may have made to the JSP or new Local Plan objecting to the principle of development at Coalpit Heath. We consider however, that it is important to consult with the local community and key stakeholders on such planning matters as there is developer interest in the location and the Council cannot prevent new planning applications coming forward."

We hope to see as many of you there as possible on Thursday.

Latest on new housing for our area

In April, the Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) for the West of England was submitted to the Government. Now Planning Inspectors have been appointed to carry out the Examination, which will include a public hearing where they will consider arguments from all sides about whether the JSP is "sound".

You can see all the comments people made on the plan online.The precise date for the opening of any formal hearing is yet decided by the Inspectors but it is currently anticipated that the hearings will begin in autumn 2018.

Next Thursday there is a workshop for invited "stakeholders", such as the Parish Council and community groups, to discuss the proposed development east of Roundways, Coalpit Heath.

Fundraising events in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath

Churches Together are planning a series of events in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath for Christian Aid Week (May 13-19), to raise money to support the world's poorest.

• Friday 11th May, 7.30pm, Quiz Night, The British Legion, Ryecroft Road, Frampton Cotterell. Teams of 4 at £3/ person. Booking: 776618. No team? Book in and they'll make up on the night.
• Saturday 12th May, 11am-2pm, Coffee & Cake/ Soup Lunch, St Saviour’s Church Hall, Coalpit Heath. Good food & good company. 
• Sunday 13th May, 6pm, A Service of Praise to celebrate Rogationtide, Latteridge Green Farm, BS37 9TS. Everybody welcome- cheese & wine after the service & an opportunity to look first hand at modern farm vehicles. 
• Friday 18th May 7.30-10.30pm Folk@Frampton Concert, Crossbow House, School Rd, Frampton Cotterell. A great night of folk music. 
• Saturday 19th May 8.30-10.30am Big Brekkie, Zion Hall, Woodend Rd, Frampton Cotterell. Come & join in our magnificent community breakfast. 
• Saturday 19th May 10am-1pm Plant Sale & Coffee Morning, The Lilacs, Station Rd, Iron Acton, Come & buy your summer plants- loads to choose from.
• Sunday 20th May 2-4pm Train Rides & Cream Teas, Bridge House, Rectory Rd, Frampton Cotterell. A fun afternoon for all ages.

Drop-in event on experimental road closures next Wednesday

At last week's on-site meeting in Ruffet Road to discuss the experimental road closures, Claire Young asked highways officials to hold a proper consultation event in a local hall so that everyone could have their say.

A drop-in will be held from 3pm to 6pm next Wednesday (9th May) in Henfield Hall. If you live in Ruffet Road, Coalsack Lane or any of the other local roads that could be affected by the proposed closures, this is a great chance to talk to highways officials about them.

The proposals for Ruffet Road and Coalsack Lane are currently on hold so that officials can discuss the exact locations of experimental closure points with the local community. The closure of the Bromley Heath Road service road at its junction with Quakers Road is remaining in the same position as during the Bromley Heath Viaduct works at the request of residents. Further consultation will take place with regard to the form and location a permanent closure might take. The experimental closures of Bromley Heath Road north of the ring road, Bury Hill and Cuckoo Lane are continuing in the positions advertised.

For more details and to have your say, please go to the consultation web page.

Update on experimental road closures

There was a big turnout of residents in Ruffet Road yesterday at the meeting organised by Claire Young to discuss the experimental road closures.

The closures are due to start on Monday, having only been announced last Tuesday. Whether they agreed with the closure or not, people were unhappy about how this has been done. The Conservative Cabinet Member left before the end without saying whether he'd put the proposals on hold but Claire secured a promise from officers of a proper public consultation event.

This morning highways officials have confirmed that following yesterday's meeting there will be a pause to allow further consultation - details will be posted on the consultation web page today.

Cuts to winter gritting? Have your say!

Conservative-run South Glos Council is proposing to stop gritting some roads in icy weather to save money. It's yet another "saving" they have identified in the face of Government funding cuts.

The cut would reduce their fleet from 11 gritters to 9 and take 30 km of roads off the list that are salted when freezing conditions seem likely.

Affected roads include Park Lane and Perrinpit Road (Frampton Cotterell) and Claypit Hill, part of Dodington Road, Gibbs Lane and Sodbury Lane (Dodington Parish).

A consultation on these cuts is running until 18 June. If you want to find out more, there will be a drop-in event with Street Care staff in the meeting room at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC), Broad Lane, Yate, BS37 7LB from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesday 2nd May.

You can read more and have your say on the consultation website.

Campaigners welcome new cycle path link

Cllrs Claire Young (left) and Paul Hulbert (centre)

joined cyclists Kate Kelliher, Denis Butterworth 

and Bob Keen and horse rider Ann Fay on the new section

Campaigners who have been pushing for the completion of the "Yate Spur" cycle path are celebrating the opening of the latest section, which is designed for use by horse riders and walkers as well.

The off-road cycle path will eventually link Yate to the Bristol Bath Railway Path, opening up the cycle network to many more people. The latest section links Broad Lane, Westerleigh with the cycle crossing point on Westerleigh Road.

Paul Hulbert and Claire Young with 

 the cycle path petition in 2014

Cllr Claire Young, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Thornbury and Yate, started a petition in 2014 calling for the completion of the cycle path. She said:

"It is fantastic to see another important link in this route open. Hundreds of people showed their support for completing the path by signing our petition. When finished it will make commuting to work by bike an option for more people as well as being a great way for families to get out into the countryside."

"We will keep pushing for the final sections to be completed. The link from Dodmoor Crossing to the Nibley Lane junction and the section under the railway bridge by the Shire Way roundabout will bring some of the biggest safety improvements. I look forward to celebrating the opening of the finished path."

But there's disappointing news too. Paul Hulbert, chairman of the Joint Cycleway Group, said:

"The JCG has just been told that the next leg - from Broad Lane to Nibley Lane Corner - will cost more than is available in the current spending round because of drainage and access problems. We've asked South Glos to look at alternative ideas and funding sources. However we have been told that some small improvements we requested on the A432 Kennedy Way will be done this financial year"

Reminder - have your say on Local Plan

Don't forget you only have until 30th April to have your say on South Gloucestershire Council's new Local Plan at www.southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplanfeb2018.

This is your chance to have your say on how up to 1,800 extra homes can be delivered in smaller developments in our rural areas. This is in addition to the thousands of new homes already proposed in large developments at Coalpit Heath, west and north west of Yate in Westerleigh and Iron Acton Parishes, Charfield, Thornbury and Buckover.

A46 traffic lights update

At a meeting of the Council's Cabinet on Monday, I raised the issue of finding a permanent replacement for the temporary A46 traffic lights with the Cabinet Member responsible for transport.

He said that Highways England, who look after motorways and other major roads, were not happy for the temporary lights to stay in place but are happy for the council to investigate a permanent solution.

The next step will be for South Glos to ask the West of England Combined Authority for funding. Don't forget you can sign our petition to show your support.

Good news on 82 bus

Thank you once again to everyone who signed our 82 bus service petition. The great news is that both the 82 and X49 bus services will be extended to Chipping Sodbury from 27th May.

Our petition in autumn 2016 showed that hundreds of people wanted the 82 service to run to and from Chipping Sodbury again, so they wouldn't have to change buses in Yate. At the time we were told that wasn't possible, but we have kept up the fight. We are delighted that First Bus has finally listened.

Not all of the changes being made by First Bus are good news though. On Sundays, the 82 service drops to 2 hourly. We will continue to campaign for better bus services for local people every day of the week.

You can check out the new timetables on the Traveline South West site.

Concerns raised about experimental road closures

Tuesday's announcement of experimental road closures in the Kendleshire area has provoked a strong reaction from local residents and businesses.

The Experimental Traffic Order will close roads to motor vehicle through traffic on Bromley Heath Road at Moorend, access road at Bromley Heath Road near Bromley Drive, Bury Hill, Coalsack Lane, Cuckoo Lane and Ruffet Road from 30th April 2018.

Many of the closures have been in place during the Bromley Heath Viaduct work under a temporary Traffic Regulation Order, but those in Coalsack Lane and Ruffet Road are new. They would turn the cluster of houses at the Badminton Road end of Ruffet Road into a cul-de-sac, with their only route out being straight on to Badminton Road. You can see the details in this plan.

This is not what the residents requested at our meeting back in February They suggested that if any roads were to be closed, it should be the short section between the Coalsack Lane/The Hollows junction and Westerleigh Road. They felt this would stop rat running, while still allowing all parts of Henfield and Kendleshire to remain connected. Highways officials say the closures would improve safety at the notorious Kendleshire crossroads.

When the consultation started on Tuesday, Claire Young alerted the Kendleshire Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator and a representative of the Golf Club. Since then she and residents have been lobbying officers to put this aspect of the proposals on hold so the concerns can be investigated. Claire has arranged a site meeting next week with highways officials for people who live in the roads and representatives of the Golf Club.

You can have your say on the council's consultation site.

Viaduct re-opening and A46 traffic lights going

The good news is that the council is planning to re-open the Bromley Heath Viaduct over the weekend of 27th April.

The bad news is that this coming weekend they will be removing the temporary traffic lights on the A46 near Tormarton, at the junction with the B4465 Westerleigh Road, which were installed to manage traffic diverted by the viaduct works. To carry out the removal there will be four-way lights in operation from 8am on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday.

Many local people believe these lights have made the junction safer. With the help of all of you that have shared your views with us, we've already convinced the council to start looking into a permanent solution. If it's to happen though we need to make sure this is a high priority for funding. If you would like to see permanent traffic lights installed and you haven't already signed our petition, please do it today.

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.