Register to use Sort It Centres

You now need to register if you want to use the Sort It recycling centres. This has been introduced to cut the number of commercial users and those from outside South Glos using the sites.

You don't need to sign up straight away, but must do so at least 24 hours before your next visit. You can sign up at any time of year and you only need to do it once, unless you change your address or vehicle. You can register online, by calling 01454 868000 or at the One Stop Shops.

There are two types of registration:

• Standard vehicle registration for vehicles of any size (up to 3.5 tonnes) that have rear and/or side facing windows including cars of any size, campervans, people carriers etc.
• Restricted vehicle registration for:
• vans of any size without rear facing windows including minibuses, campervans and cars
• 4×4s, pick-up trucks or people carriers (MPV) without rear seats and/or windows or with an open back
• flatbed vehicles, box vans, horse boxes with integrated cab and agricultural vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.

Restricted vehicles are limited to 12 visits a year. Access times for large vehicles will continue to apply. The height and trailer restrictions at Little Stoke Sort It Recycling Centre will also remain in place.

For information about what can be accepted at the Sort It centres, where to find them and opening times visit www.southglos.gov.uk/sortit

Celebrate National Libraries Day and enjoy free half-term activities

This Saturday, 6th February, is National Libraries Day.

All libraries in South Gloucestershire will be holding free treasure hunts for children to find the famous children’s book characters that have been hidden around the library. They will also all be holding a free story time at 11am, reading family favourite ‘The Gruffalo’ by Julia Donaldson. The story time is suitable for children and families (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult).

Anyone of any age can get in touch on the day via Twitter (@LibrariesWest #librariesday) and on Facebook (/librarieswest) to share what they love most about their library. You can find your nearest library at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries and there is more info on National Libraries Day at www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk

As usual during half term there will be a range of activities for children - you can find out more here.

And of course if you value your local library, watch out for the consultation later this month on the future of our libraries. We'll keep you posted.

Police ask for witnesses to Coalpit Heath burglary

Following a burglary at the house of an elderly resident in Oldlands Avenue, Coalpit Heath on Monday, police are asking anyone with information or who saw anything suspicious in the area to call 101, quoting reference number 5216018385.

Police were called to the house on Monday 1st February at around 3.30pm. Someone had broken in through a rear door while the owner was out, searched all the rooms and stolen a Rolex watch and some antique china.

Westerleigh Neighbourhood Watch AGM

The Westerleigh Neighbourhood Watch will be holding their AGM next Tuesday, 9th February, from 7.30pm in St James Church. They suggest going early for pancakes (from 6.30pm).

Dragon Road bridge closure - drop-in event

As part of rail electrification, Network Rail will be raising the height of the sides of the Dragon Road bridge and installing anti-climb coping stones. To carry out the work the bridge will be closed to motorists from 9.30am on Monday 29 February until the end of April. Throughout this time, pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the bridge.

If you'd like to find out more about this work, Network Rail are holding a drop-in event on Tuesday 9 February from 6.30pm to 9pm at the Winterbourne Methodist Church on Down Road. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on-hand throughout to explain more about the plans and to answer any questions.

The diversionary route for motorists during the temporary closure is: Harcombe Hill – Hicks Common Road – Flaxpits Lane.

Updated 16th February: The diversion route has been revised - see here.

Could you contribute to local knowledge?

Historical maps of South Gloucestershire are now freely available online thanks to the Know Your Place West of England project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Know Your Place is a free digital mapping resource that enables you to explore your neighbourhood online through old maps, archive images and linked information. Historic Environment Record data is available alongside the maps and you will be able to upload and share your own information about the area.

Over the coming months, the project will extend to include the counties of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset. More resources will be added, including enclosure and tithe maps, drawings and photographs from archive and museum collections

To start exploring South Gloucestershire’s maps and heritage information visit www.kypwest.org.uk.

Badminton Road council offices to be extended?

South Gloucestershire Council is looking to make more savings on office space. The Conservative administration's preferred option is to extend the offices (and parking) at Badminton Road, Nibley and move staff there, so they can close Kingswood Civic Centre.

At the Policy and Resources committee meeting on Monday, local councillor Claire Young raised concern about the potential impact on people living around the council offices, where there are already concerns about parking and traffic.

Claire also sought, and was given, reassurance that any plans would not affect the ability to deliver the Nibley Park and Ride in the future. Last year we made sure plans for the solar farm would not restrict a future Park and Ride, we need to make sure the same is true of any office extension. We were told they were also looking at whether solar panels could be put over any new parking area. When more detailed plans are available we will let you know.