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"

Latest section of Yate Spur cycle path open

We are delighted that the latest section of the Yate Spur cycle path, from Westerleigh Road to Broad Lane, Westerleigh, is now open.

Good news on mud and rocks on Westerleigh Road

Good news for anyone driving on Westerleigh Road or walking along the pavements - the mud and stones are being cleared and tipping stopped until further notice.

Local people were horrified when tipping started at Beech Hill Farm three weeks ago, leaving the roads strewn with mud and debris. I raised it with the council's planning enforcement team and since then have been continuing to share residents' complaints with them and Street Care, the team that looks after our roads. I also wrote directly to Keyway, the firm carrying out the tipping.

When I spoke to the Head of Street Care yesterday he told me that Keyway had been told to get a sweeper and team of workers with shovels out that day to clear the roads, otherwise the council would do the job and charge them for it. Even by the time this picture was taken at lunchtime yesterday the situation was much improved and as you can see a sweeper was in action.

Now someone is out with a pressure washer hosing down the pavements and a sweeper is cleaning all the roads around and leading to the land fill. Keyway have confirmed to me that they have closed the tip until further notice.

Mud on road near Beech Hill

Thank you to those who have raised concerns that tipping has started at Beech Hill Farm and there is mud on the road. Claire Young raised this with the relevant officers at South Gloucestershire Council, who have promised to investigate.

How to complain to Tulip about smell in Westerleigh

Following the drop-in earlier this month at Westerleigh Village Hall, the owners of the abattoir, Tulip Ltd, have issued a complaints process to use whenever there is a smell that you suspect may be coming from the abattoir. You can read it here.

Wessex Water unveil new sewer plans

There was a good turn out at the drop-in at Westerleigh Village Hall on Monday, where Wessex Water unveiled their plans to build a sewer bypassing the village for the abattoir waste. It is hoped this will address both flooding and odour issues in the village.

The new 1.6km pipe will be exclusively for Tulip trade effluent and will join the main Yate 600mm sewer north of the Nibley Lane junction. The work will cost £1 million and start in September 2018, taking an estimated 5-6 months.

There were also representatives from Tulip and the Environment Agency on hand to answer questions. Tulip will be putting in place a dedicated phone number to report any further issues.

Let's hope the new sewer will put an end to the bad odours affecting the village.

Reminder - Westerleigh smell drop-in on Monday

Before Monday's Westerleigh Parish Council meeting in Westerleigh Village Hall, there will be a drop-in from 5.30-7pm where local people can talk to Wessex Water, Tulip (abattoir owners) and the Environment Agency about the smell problem in the village. This follows the good news that Wessex Water plan to start on a Flood Alleviation Scheme in the autumn, which will introduce a new section of sewer that will take the discharge from the abattoir and bypass the village.

Westerleigh lights raise money for stroke charity

Once again the people of Mill Crescent, Westerleigh have put on a Christmas light display to raise money for charity. This year they've chosen Different Strokes, a charity run by younger stroke survivors for younger stroke survivors. 

The Mill Crescent lights have become a local Christmas tradition. Why not pop along and see for yourself? You can find out more about the light display, including some of the special visitors they've had this year, on their Facebook page.

Westerleigh smell drop-in event

Following the recent good news that Wessex Water will be taking action next year to address the smell issues, they have agreed to attend a drop-in before the next Westerleigh Parish Council meeting.

The event will run from 5.30pm to 7pm on Monday 8th January in Westerleigh Village Hall. Representatives from Tulip (the owners of the abattoir) and the Environment Agency will also be on hand to answer questions and listen to any issues you might want to raise.

Good news on Westerleigh smell

Wessex Water have written to Claire Young to say they have planned a Flood Alleviation Scheme to address the flooding and odour issues in Westerleigh. This will introduce a new section of sewer that will take the discharge from the abattoir and bypass the village. The design has been signed off and works are scheduled to commence in September 2018.

They have also agreed to attend a meeting. Claire will be liaising with them and the Parish Council to make arrangements.

Yate Spur cycle route - latest update

Here's the latest update about the long-awaited cycle track between Yate and the Railway Path, the cycling "superhighway" between Bristol and Bath. At the moment the Yate Spur only comes out as far as the T junction on Westerleigh Road south of Westerleigh.

• Westerleigh Road T junction to Broad Lane (Cornerways) - inside the farmer's field up to the former Cornerways Nursery - You will probably have seen the fencing and the signs, with not much work going on lately. They struck a sewage pipe that wasn't on ANYBODY'S maps, and they've had to do some redesign. Work should start again shortly for completion in the Spring, together with appropriate direction signs. 
• Broad Lane - has already been upgraded. 
• Broad Lane to Nibley Lane Corner - the "Westerleigh bypass" - being designed, awaiting funding. This will probably be the last stretch of the whole project. 
• Nibley Lane Corner improvements - recently consulted about - on hold until Spring 2018 because of extra traffic during the Bromley Heath Viaduct work. 
• Section under railway viaduct to Westerleigh Rd mini-roundabout - detailed design nearly complete, awaiting funding 
• Westerleigh Rd mini-roundabout to Yate Common - on hold until January 2018 because of railway embankment work near Chedworth 

Once the section alongside Westerleigh Road to Cornerways is done, there will be a continuous link from the Railway Path to opposite Wot Not at the north end of Westerleigh. We are pressing for any outstanding maintenance to be carried out between Broad Lane and Wot Not - it tends to get overgrown from time to time.

When the rest of the path is approaching completion there will need to be proper direction signs for the full length. We are also asking for the narrow part of the path across Yate Common to be reviewed. This will help disabled users too - there are now "Radar" key gates at both ends, but parts of the path are too narrow for two motorised scooters to pass each other. The details of the widening will of course be discussed with the Friends of Yate Common and Yate Town Council because of the enviromental sensitivity of the area.

We'll keep you posted on Yate Spur progress every few months.

Westerleigh odour - keep reporting

Unfortunately there have been more odour problems in Westerleigh village this week. It's vital that people continue to report these to abattoir owners Tulip, even if you've previously had an unsatisfactory response to a complaint. You can call them on 0117 957 1919. Out of hours you will get the security staff but they are still supposed to take the details of your complaint and pass it on to the appropriate member of staff.

If the problem persists or you get an unsatisfactory response, please then ring the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060. Remember to say you are calling about an abattoir smell because different odour problems are regulated by different public bodies.

Claire Young has written again to the Environment Agency this week urging them to take action and has spoken to the official in charge of the investigation.

Reporting smell complaints in Westerleigh

Last week there were more odour complaints in Westerleigh village. The Environment Agency have asked the abattoir to investigate. They also stress that when there is an odour, please ring the abattoir first on 0117 957 1919 . It is much easier for staff to investigate the problem when it is happening. A new manager is dealing with the complaints.

If the problem persists, please then ring the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060. It is really helpful for them to be able to speak to complainants directly.

Yate Spur cycle route progress (and delays)

There's good news and bad news about the long-awaited cycle track between Yate and the Railway Path, the cycling "superhighway" between Bristol and Bath. At the moment the Yate Spur only comes out as far as the T junction on Westerleigh Road south of Westerleigh.

• Westerleigh Road T junction to Broad Lane (Cornerways) - inside the farmer's field up to the former Cornerways Nursery - Construction starts this month, taking 4 months 
• Broad Lane - has already been upgraded 
• Broad Lane to Nibley Lane Corner - the "Westerleigh bypass" - being designed, awaiting funding 
• Nibley Lane Corner improvements - recently consulted about - on hold until Spring 2018 because of expected heavy traffic during the Bromley Heath Viaduct work 
• Section under railway viaduct to Westerleigh Rd mini-roundabout - being designed, awaiting funding 
• Westerleigh Rd mini-roundabout to Yate Common - on hold until January 2018 because of railway embankment work near Chedworth

Once the section from Westerleigh Road to Cornerways is done, there will be a continuous link from the Railway Path to opposite Wot Not at the north end of Westerleigh. We are pressing for any outstanding maintenance to be carried out between Broad Lane and Wot Not - it tends to get overgrown from time to time.

Latest on Westerleigh smell

Following recent odour complaints, the Environment Agency have visited Westerleigh abattoir to carry out a compliance assessment. They have asked the owners, Tulip, to make a number of improvements and will take further steps if these are not completed by the deadline given.

If you experience an odour that you think may be caused by the abattoir, please call them on 0117 9571919. If the odour persists, please also contact the Environment Agency’s hotline (0800 807060).

Yate Spur cycle path - Westerleigh Road to Broad Lane

Work on the Westerleigh Road to Broad Lane section of the Yate Spur cycle path has now been scheduled to start on 3 July 2017. It's expected to last for four months.

Litter picking in Westerleigh village

Volunteers are need for a community spring clean in Westerleigh village. Litter pickers should meet outside Ye Olde Inne at 10am on Sunday 2nd April. Equipment will be provided.

Yate Spur cycle consultation - still time to make comments

Cllrs Paul Hulbert and Claire Young at the exhibition

It was good to see so many people at last week's Yate Spur cycle path drop-in session at Shireway Community Centre. You only have until Sunday 15 January to have your say. Full details of the scheme and how to comment are on the South Glos website.

Drop-in exhibition for Yate Spur cycle path

As we told you before Christmas, South Gloucestershire Council is consulting on plans for the next stage of the Yate Spur cycle path to link our area to the Ring Road cycle path and the Bristol and Bath railway path.

The plans propose changes to the Westerleigh Road / Nibley Lane junction and creating a joint pedestrian / cycle path alongside the length of Westerleigh Road between the mini-roundabout and the big Rodford Way roundabout.

South Glos has arranged a drop-in at Shire Way Community Centre on Thursday 5 January from 4pm to 8pm to give an opportunity to see a display of the plans and to discuss them with the StreetCare Team.

You can also click this link to see the plans and comment online

When you’re reading the plans, please bear in mind that they’ve mislabelled the section between the roundabouts as part of “Shire Way”, when it’s actually Westerleigh Road.

The consultation closes on Sunday 15th January.

Westerleigh lights raising money for charity again

Father Christmas last year

Once again people in Westerleigh are raising money for charity with their Christmas lights - and not just in Mill Crescent. This year they are supporting Southmead Intensive Care Unit and Cystic Fibrosis. Don't forget to drop something in the donation bucket at the end of Mill Crescent.