Olympic flame coming to South Glos

The Olympic flame will be coming to South Glos on Tuesday 22 May and then again briefly on the morning of Wednesday 23 May.

Full details of the route and a detailed map are available online www.southglos.gov.uk/2012olympictorch along with a listed of frequently asked questions.

South Gloucestershire Council has created a £5,000  one-off Challenge Fund to maximise the 2012 Olympic legacy potential. There are 25 grants of £201.20 available for groups registered with the Community Games programme, which aims to bring communities together to take part in sporting and cultural activities inspired by, and in celebration of, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
You can find out more on the South Glos website - but hurry, you only have until 8th June to apply.

Down Road closed on Monday

Down Road, Winterbourne Down will be closed between the A432 Badminton Road and the Harcombe Hill junction on Monday 21st May.

Rockside Gardens resurfacing

Today and tomorrow South Glos will be resurfacing Rockside Gardens. The work will be carried out between 7am and 5pm and every effort will be made to keep disruption to local residents to a minimum.

Action group leaders to give evidence

Leaders of the Save Woodlands Farm and Save Engine Common action groups have been invited by South Gloucestershire Council to speak as part of its evidence at the Examination in Public (EiP) for the Council's Core Strategy (planning blueprint for the next 15 years). The EiP is for the inspector to hear challenges to the Core Strategy, so residents who support the Council in not allocating Woodlands Farm, Coalpit Heath and Engine Common for housing will not be able to join the discussions. Members of the public are, however, able to attend any of the sessions and sign the attendance register where they can show why they are there. A good attendance from the Action Groups may help the Inspector realise that the development of these areas is not wanted locally. Also, at the pre-hearing meeting the Inspector said that the Council could ask third parties to speak as part of its own evidence. The Council has therefore asked Richard Merrick (Save Woodlands Farm) and Mike Keenan (Save Engine Common) to help them defend the Council's position.

Site visit for stadium proposals

Members of South Gloucestershire Council’s Planning Committee, chaired by Dave Hockey, visited the site of the proposed new stadium for Bristol Rovers last Friday. This is on land now owned by UWE close to Cheswick Village housing development off Cold Harbour Lane. The car access for the stadium would be from the MOD Roundabout on the Ring Road. With a bus only road currently under construction alongside the proposed site and good walking routes from both Parkway and Abbey Wood Stations many of the spectators would be expected to use public transport. Objectors to the proposal had the opportunity to draw the Councillors’ attention to the issues worrying them. These include noise, traffic and ant-social behaviour. The Planning Committee is expecting to be making a decision at their meeting on either June 21st or July 19th, depending on how long it takes to get the further information they asked for.

Recycling update

Since late March, SITA have been distributing bags for cardboard recycling to all those on the waiting list. If you asked for one and haven't got it or would like to ask for one for the first time, please ring 01454 868000 or request one online.

Residents raised a number of concerns when we carried out surveys earlier this year. Officers have investigated complaints of boxes and bags not being put back properly and have answered some of your recycling questions:

• All food waste can be accepted except larged uncooked bones, as these don't break down well in the anaerobic digester.
• Envelopes can go in the paper recycling as long as you remove the plastic windows.
• Pieces of wood of no more than 4" diameter can go in the green waste bin - larger pieces can be recycled at the Sort IT centre.
• Old clothes and shoes can be put out in a carrier bag with the green box.

Save money on heating

In our surveys you told us domestic heating costs are a big concern. Free loft and cavity wall insulation is now available to everyone, subject to survey. For free and impartial advice contact the Severn Wye Energy Agency on Freephone 0800 500 30 76, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm.