New bungalow on Ram Hill refused by planning committee

Last Thursday the Planning Committee voted to refuse an application for a new bungalow on Ram Hill.

The planning officer had argued that it could be considered to be "limited infilling in a village", justifying it as being within a village by asserting that residents have access to services within Coalpit Heath. Residents and local ward councillor Claire Young spoke against this. A narrow majority of members concluded that it was not "in a village" and therefore did not constitute appropriate development in the Green Belt.

30mph speed limit for Bristol Road

The proposals for a 30mph speed limit on the B4058 Bristol Road, Frampton Cotterell have now been formally advertised. More details are available here.

Local history talk - 21 March

The latest Frampton Cotterell and District Local History Society talk takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 March at Zion Church,Woodend Road , Frampton Cotterell, BS36 2HY

Alan Freke of Frenchay Museum will be doing a talk entitled ‘The GWR Badminton Line'. All welcome, entry £4 or free to members (annual subscription £15), light refreshments included.

Quiet Lanes Scheme - latest updates

Claire campaigning for safety
improvements in Ruffet Road in 2011

I recently met residents and highways officers regarding the ongoing problems with rat running through Ruffet Road/Coalsack Lane. During the Bromley Heath Viaduct Closure there have been even worse problems with traffic driving up on to the pavement where the road is narrow, including HGVs that shouldn’t be accessing the lanes as there is a weight restriction in place.

In the short term, the highways officers have got agreement from the police that they will aim to have a presence on site in the near future.

In the new financial year, a number of options are being considered to tackle this problem as well as reduce casualties at the Kendleshire Crossroads. There will be a consultation process on this in due course.

Officers also explained why the vegetation has been cut back at the Coalsack Road/Westerleigh Road junction. The barriers that run along to the M4 overbridge on Westerleigh Road have old wooden supports which do not meet current standards and need replacing. This has been scheduled for the coming financial year, but at the point the work will be done there may be nesting birds present. They have therefore carried out the vegetation clearance in advance, in line with their standard practice.

Elsewhere in the Quiet Lanes Scheme, the 20mph limit for Ram Hill/Serridge Lane/Broad Lane (Ram Hill end) is being recommended to go ahead.

M4 J18a - Cabinet set to support Western option

Following last year's consultation on a possible new junction 18a on the M4, South Gloucestershire's Conservative Cabinet looks set to support the Western option via Emersons Green as the preferred route.

This option involves re-aligning the motorway at Henfield. Residents have already contacted us to raise concerns. As yet we have seen no plan for how they intend to manage the additional traffic this will push through our villages and the residential roads in the south of Yate. Nor have we seen a plan for how, when or where a link will be provided from the new junction to Yate and how that will feed into the already congested road network in the town. If these issues are not properly addressed ahead of time, this new junction will just add to local transport problems.

After the snow - reporting potholes

A huge thank you to the emergency services, NHS staff, gritter teams and other council staff and everyone else who worked hard to keep the rest of us safe during the snowy and icy weather.

Unfortunately severe cold weather often creates more potholes on our roads. If you spot one you think could be dangerous, you can report it online.

Waste and recycling changes due to snow and ice

South Gloucestershire Council have announced the following:

Collections 

We are sorry that waste and recycling collections will not be taking place on Friday 2 March due to snow and ice, this is protect the safety of residents and staff. Please take your bins and recycling containers back on to your property until your next normal collection.  For  Recycling the next collection is Friday 9 March, please present any extra recycling. Residual and Garden bins will be collected Friday 16 March. If you have extra non-recyclable waste we will collect up to two bags left next to your black bin on Friday 16 March. 

Sites Closed 

We are sorry but due to the snow and ice we have had to shut all four Sort It Recycling Centres in South Gloucestershire. The sites will be shut from 2pm on Thursday 1 March until 8.30am Sunday 4 March.  This is to protect the safety of residents and staff and to clear the sites of snow and ice before opening on Sunday.

Don't forget you can find out more about how the weather is affecting all the council's services on their website and school closures are listed here.