A bus ride in the right direction

Your local Focus Team has cautiously welcomed the new Yate-Southmead bus service.

It's good news for people living in Yate and villages like Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell as the new service will mean seven day a week access to Southmead hospital. But it will not extend to Chipping Sodbury, and some passengers will need to change at Bristol Parkway station.

Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Cllr Pat Hockey said: “The service First has registered is a mixed bag - we’re pleased that local residents will be able to get to Southmead all days of the week, but we always wanted it to go as far as Sodbury. Patients or visitors from Sodbury will have to change in Yate, and sometimes then change again at Parkway - or go all around the houses. That is not good enough.

“This is a step in the right direction, but our campaign for good bus links between the Yate-Sodbury area and Southmead will go on.”

Local MP Steve Webb said: “I was disappointed to learn that Sodbury constituents have been left out. The new service meets a lot of what we've been campaigning for, but it's sadly short.”

Unemployed? Need help with transport to work or training?

Wheels to Work West offers three schemes to help people get transport to work or training - a Bike Loan Scheme, a Bus Ticket Scheme and a Loan to Buy Scooter Scheme. More information is available on the South Glos website.

Have your say on Flood Risk Management Strategy

If news of the flooding elsewhere this winter has left you wondering how flood risks are managed in our area, why not take part in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy consultation?

Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 South Gloucestershire Council has a duty to co-ordinate flood risk management within the council boundary to ensure that flood risks from surface water runoff, groundwater, smaller watercourses and ditches are identified and managed. The council has to produce a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to set out how this will be achieved and they would like you to help them develop it by giving your thoughts and experiences. Your comments, as well as the council's own records and other data, will be used to develop a draft strategy that will then be consulted upon in the summer.

You can find out more and have your say on the council's website.

Wapley Bushes - footpath closure

The footpath on Wapley Bushes from Shire Way south westwards for 172 metres will be closed from 7th March so that a railway bridge can be demolished and replaced. Although the notice allows for up to 6 months closure it is anticipated the work will take about 3 months. A temporary footpath will be provided to the east.

Pothole problems?

South Glos Street Care promised to fix the damage around the gulley pictured left within 1 working day after Dave Hockey raised it with them on behalf of a resident.

The pothole was at least 7cm deep around the gulley. After the frequent spells of heavy rain, it filled with water and was then very difficult to see, especially after dark.

Cyclists and pedestrians were especially at risk as the exposed metal gulley plate is a real hazard.

Your Focus Team is always pleased to pass on concerns like this or you can report them directly. South Glos has recently introduced new web forms for reporting problems. You can find them on their website.

Area Forums - your chance to get involved

At the latest round of Area Forums there will be updates on the Local Transport Capital Programme, Small Grant awards, the New Homes Bonus grants scheme and funding for youth activities. As always, there will be an open session where you can put any questions to councillors and officers. Why not come along, join in the debate and have a say where local funding is spent:

• Frome Vale (including Frampton Cotterell, Laddenbrook and Westerleigh wards) - Thursday 6 March, 7pm, Shireway Community Association, Yate. 
• Severn Vale (including Charfield Ward) - Wednesday 5 March, 7pm, Turnberries Community Centre, Thornbury

Church Road bridge repair closures

We've previously reported that highways engineers have decided that the bridge over the Frome on Church Road, Frampton Cotterell needs replacing for safety reasons. There is currently a 13-tonne weight limit in place to stop heavy vehicles being driven over it.

We can now report that the work is expected to be done in two phases. Subject to confirmation from the utility companies and the Environment Agency, the section of road including the bridge will be shut to motorised vehicles for three weeks in April, so utilities can be diverted on to a temporary bridge. This is planned to include the Easter school holidays.

South Glos Council will inform properties within 250m of the bridge directly, temporary signs will be erected by the bridge with the closure dates and large electronic signs will be set up at either end of Church Road two weeks before the closure. Drivers will be diverted via Yate and Iron Acton. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be allowed through.

Businesses on Church Road are keen to let people know that they will still be trading.

The section of road will then be shut in July and August for six weeks, again timed to coincide with school holidays.   The demolition of the bridge will inevitably create noise, with impact hammers and diamond saws being used. Work will only take place between 7.30am and 6pm to minimise the impact on residents.

When the work is completed the 13 tonne weak bridge restriction will be lifted, but the 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction will remain in place.

Frampton Cotterell councillor Dave Hockey said, "The bridge is falling to bits. The weight limit was put on it because it is vulnerable but repair work has to be done. The safety of the bridge and that of the people crossing it is paramount."