Nibley Lane Iron Acton to be closed for cleaning Wed 31 May

South Glos have told us that the length of Nibley Lane from Holly Hill to Badminton Road will be closed for cleaning shortly. The notice says some time between 31 May and 4 June, but they anticipate it being 9.30am–2.30pm on Wed 31st.

Traffic delays this Sunday

If you're going to be out and about on local roads on Sunday, be aware that a slow-moving lorry carrying a 235-tonne National Grid transformer is expected to cause delays. The lorry will be travelling under police escort at approximately 10 mph from Avonmouth Port to Iron Acton between 8am and 3pm.

You can read more on the Gazette website.

Resurfacing works around the area

Last week we reported that Badminton Road would be closed overnight for resurfacing work. Other roads around our area will also be resurfaced in the coming weeks:

• 20-23 June - Tytherington Road, Tytherington
• 21-29 June - Westerleigh Road, Pucklechurch
• 24 June - 2 July - Latteridge Road, Iron Acton, between the traffic lights and the railway line.

The roads will be closed 8pm to 6am each night.These works will inevitably create a significant amount of noise. Access to properties and amenities fronting the site and whose only access is from the closed road, will be available at all times and every effort will be made to keep the disruption to local residents to a minimum. Adverse weather or other problems could change the times and dates. Throughout the work, the road must be kept clear of vehicles.

Road safety wins at Area Forum

A number of local road safety schemes got the go ahead at last night's Frome Vale Area Forum. After listening to the concerns of residents, councillors chose schemes including:

• Introducing a crossing point on Wotton Road, Iron Acton, outside the primary school
• A red surface treatment to highlight the existing crossing points in Rangeworthy
• Processing a Traffic Regulation Order to reinforce the existing `No Stopping’ marking outside Frampton Cotterell C of E Primary School

Local people also came along to talk about the schemes they would like the council to investigate in preparation for carrying them out in the future. The Forum could choose three from a long list. Two of the chosen ones were in our area - investigating a 20mph limit on Ram Hill and a 7.5T weight limit on Dodington Road. Thank you to those who came along to speak in support.

Earlier in the meeting we had heard about the work Network Rail plan to do on the bridge, which local people are concerned will reduce visibility. The forum members also asked for their concerns on this and the need for the completion of the pavement to be raised with the Chair of the Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Committee.

Good news at Frome Vale Area Forum

Last night's Frome Vale Area Forum had a packed agenda:

• Schemes to introduce 40mph limits on the B4058/B4059 Iron Acton and 20mph limits within Iron Acton and on surrounding roads including Nibley Lane were approved.
• We awarded New Homes Bonus money to Coalpit Heath Village Hall ("The Miners") to put solar panels on their roof and to Iron Acton Parish Hall for an extension to the entrance lobby
• Station Road, Coalpit Heath and Lower Chapel Lane, Frampton Cotterell were among four resurfacing schemes we chose for 2015/16.

Safer Stronger Community Group on Wednesday

If you live in Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Coalpit Heath or Iron Acton, why not come along to the next Safer Stronger Community Group meeting on Wednesday 24th September 2014 at 7.30pm in St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath (BS36 2RP)? There will be updates from Avon Fire and Rescue and the police and a chance to raise issues in your community.

May Day Fun on the Green

The sun shone, the crowds came - everyone had a great time.

Children from Iron Acton and Frampton Cotterell schools both did superb maypole dancing displays which were thoroughly enjoyed and roundly applauded. Some of the entertainment on offer was a bit scary if you didn’t like heights but the kids had a whale of a time. Many stalls were doing a roaring trade, especially the hot dog stall and the beer tent!

 

Loads of Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath residents and their children celebrated the closure of Frampton End Road and walked, cycled or scooted to Iron Acton. 

Congratulations to Iron Acton on another superb event.
 

Frampton End Road closure agreed

The long campaign to close Frampton End Road to motorised traffic ended in success last night when the Frome Vale Area Forum approved the Traffic Regulation Order to close the road to motorised traffic and introduce a 20mph speed limit.

CampaignerNick Carver said, "It has been a long journey but we have finally achieved what we set out to do. I would like to thank everyone involved for their help and support.".

The lanes will now be closed near The Barn, Iron Acton, near Chestnut Farm, Mayshill and near the sharp bends at the Frampton Cotterell end. Details of how the closure points will be secured and access given to those who need it, such as the emergency services and utilities, will be finalised by officers.

Have your say at Safer Stronger Commuity Groups

The Yate Safer Stronger Community Group (which covers the rural part of Dodington Parish) starts at 7pm on Monday 23rd September in Shireway Community Centre. The Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Coalpit Heath and Iron Acton SSCG (try saying that in a hurry!) is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th September in Iron Acton Village Hall.

STOP PRESS - Engine Common appeal dismissed

A Planning Inspector has dismissed the Engine Common appeal and has refused permission for 210 new homes plus employment uses and a new club house and car park for Yate Town Football Club.

Campaigners win funding for Frampton End Road scheme

At the recent Frome Vale Area Forum councillors awarded funding for a scheme to close Frampton End Road/Mayshill at three points and introduce a 20mph speed limit on the lanes.

Lead petitioner Nick Carver said, "After many years of campaigning for the closure of Frampton End Road by a dedicated team of people, it was fantastic that the members of the Frome Vale Area Committee approved the funding for the closure of the road to motor vehicles. This will now enable many local people to more safely enjoy the area for recreational purposes".

Marilyn Wright from Algars Mill on the Frome Valley Walkway at Frampton End Road, Iron Acton said, “So many users of this road have supported it's closure for many years and I'm delighted that the Frome Vale Area Committee gave their full backing for completion of the scheme. Algars Mill, a Grade II listed building, has been damaged by a heavy goods vehicle and many residents of the road have endured continual damage to their properties and dry-stone walls. Several users of the road have reported terrifying 'near misses' and there have been many accidents and numerous deaths of pets, including a horse. The road will be able to be used much more safely for the benefit of walkers, horse-riders and cyclists.”

Gary Weeks, Frampton Cotterell, said, "I am delighted and relieved that this project is now coming to a successful conclusion after seeing an increase in traffic and lorries using this lane due to sat-nav directions. I was pleased to discover that after personally consulting with local residents at the Frampton Cotterell end of Frampton End Road, 74% were in favor of the road closure. We will all be able to enjoy this rural area whilst the traffic remains on the main roads."

Alan Bracey from Coalpit Heath, representing the cycling fraternity said, “This is a huge step forward in making these roads very much safer to cycle. Over the years it has become increasingly dangerous while riding a bike only to be met by large and sometimes speeding vehicles whose only thought has been to get to their destination as quickly as possible with little regard for other road users. I particularly pay tribute to Nick Carver, Marylin Wright and Gary Weeks for their efforts in organising the 760 name petition to begin the process of closing these roads to motorised traffic. This is an example of well organised local people striving to improve their local area.”

Putting the necessary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in place involves a fairly lengthy formal process. Work will start on this in the new financial year. We'll keep you informed on progress.

Safer Stronger Community Group tomorrow night

The latest Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Coalpit Heath and Iron Acton Safer Stronger Community Group meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 13th March in St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath. Items on the agenda include a presentation on the First Contact Scheme and a chance to discuss local community issues.

Reminder - extra Core Strategy hearing day tomorrow

Tomorrow(Thursday 7th March) is the additional hearing day of the Examination in Public for South Gloucestershire Council's Core Strategy. It starts at 10.00 am and will be held in the Kingswood Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood.

Although South Glos Council has accepted the Inspector's requirement for 28,355 homes by 2027 it has objected strongly to his request for at least 8,493 of these to be available in the first 5 years. The council has, however, reluctantly put forward extra sites. The session will allow public discussion as the Inspector considers whether, if he insists on his requirement, these sites are better than the others considered at the inquiry last summer.

Members of the public can attend the hearing. You won't be able to join in the discussions but when you sign in you can say what your interest is on the form.

You can find out more about the Examination in Public at the Council's website. You can read the Council's full response to question 1 and question 2 and view the maps of the sites online. You can also view the submission on behalf of Barratt Homes about Woodlands Farm, a submission on behalf of Bloor Homes including Engine Common and a combined submission which includes Woodlands Farm and Engine Common.

Frampton End Road & Mayshill road closure supported

This afternoon the Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment committee gave cross-party support to the option of closing the roads at three points and introducing a 20mph speed limit, as recommended by officers and supported by a majority of the people who responded to last autumn's consultation.

Members of the committee heard from both supporters and objectors, as well as local members Claire Young and Pat & Dave Hockey.

This is an important stage in the process but not the final one. The closure scheme will now go on to the list of road schemes for the Frome Vale Area Forum to consider for funding at their meeting on 7th March. If it gets funding, there would then have to be another formal consultation as part of the legal process of closing the roads and changing the speed limits.

Decision day for Frampton End Road and Mayshill

Tomorrow (Wednesday 30th January) is decision day for Frampton End Road and Mayshill.

Following consultation with local residents and road users last autumn, South Gloucestershire Council's Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Committee will decide whether and how to make Frampton End Road, Mayshill and Station Road safer for all road users, including walkers, cyclists and horse riders. On the basis of the comments received, the officers are recommending Option 1 to the committee (closure with three closure points). You can read the officer’s report here:

http://council.southglos.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?XXR=0&Year=2013&CId=399&

If the committee decides the road should be closed, it will be added to the list of schemes to be considered for funding at the Frome Vale Area Forum. Closing a road requires a Traffic Regulation Order, so if the scheme did get funding there would be a formal legal process to go through including a further consultation.

Committee to decide on Engine Common application

The Development Control (East) planning committee will consider the Bloor Homes application for Engine Common as an urgent item at their meeting tomorrow, Thursday 20th December.

The meeting starts at 3pm in the Civic Centre, Kingswood and you can find the agenda online. You can read the report here.

The application is being considered because Bloor Homes has appealed against non-determination, and the Council is required by the Planning Inspectorate to state the reasons for refusal had the Council had the power to determine the application.

Have your say at Safer Stronger Community Group

The latest Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Coalpit Heath and Iron Acton Safer Stronger Community Group is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18th December 2012 in Iron Acton Village Hall (postcode BS37 9UH if you are using a Sat Nav for directions). Come along and have your say on how we can improve our local communities. Topics on the agenda include an update on youth services and road safety issues.

Have your say on Frampton End Road

Over 750 local people signed a petition to improve the safety of Frampton End Road, especially for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. You can now have your say on options for closing Frampton End Road to through traffic and a 20mph speed limit. You can view the details and make comments on the South Glos consultation website.

Letters about the consultation have been sent to everyone living on Frampton End Road, Mays Hill and Station Road, Iron Acton. Black/yellow information signs have been put up at the junctions of Church Road/Frampton End Road, Badminton Road/Mays Hill (on both spurs) and Station Road/Bristol Road to notify people who use the roads but don't live on them. The feedback from the consultation will be considered by the council's Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Committee at its meeting at 3pm on 30th January in Kingswood Civic Centre. Members of the public can attend and speak.

Consultation on plans for 20mph speed limits on other roads in the area (including Nibley Lane) will now take place separately at a later date so that officers can discuss the proposals with the Parish Councils first.

Have your say on Parish boundaries

South Glos Council is asking people in some parts of our area for their views on possible changes to Parish boundaries.

The proposals in our area are:

• Changing the parish boundaries between Westerleigh, Iron Acton and Yate parishes in the Stover Road area  so that this area (including the three industrial/business estates) become part of the Yate parish. The proposed boundary would divide the hamlet of Nibley between three parishes, rather than the current two. Read more and comment here. Please also let Claire Young, Howard Gawler, Dave Hockey or Pat Hockey know your views.
• Changing the boundary between Iron Acton and Rangeworthy parishes so that all properties in Patch Elm Lane are in Rangeworthy parish. Read more and comment here. Please also let Howard Gawler know your views.

You have until 12th November to have your say. In some cases, local people might support the idea of a change being made but think that the change should be made differently. If necessary, a further consultation will be carried out.

Have your say on conservation area changes

In order to protect Iron Acton village most of it has been designated as a Conservation Area. This means it needs its own planning guidance which will identify its special characteristics and features which need to be protected.

You have the opportunity until October 18th to comment on South Gloucestershire Council’s proposals for this. The new PTSE Committee will then decide whether any changes should be made.

You can view the document at www.southglos.gov.uk/ironactonSPD. Hard copy is available at libraries and One Stop Shops and Iron Acton Parish Council has a copy.

If you do comment on it, please let Pat Hockey have a copy as she is a member of the Committee.