Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath - have your say on community facilities

Your Focus Team wants your views on improving community facilities in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath.

Some of the money left over when the council houses were transferred to Merlin has been shared among the South Glos Councillors to spend on schemes in their wards which would benefit local residents, especially the former council house tenants.

In Frampton Cotterell Parish, Cllrs Pat and Dave Hockey are considering an aerial runway at Beesmoor Road Playing Field in partnership with the Playing Field Committee. An aerial runway was the top priority identified by local young people in the recent report issued by Village Action. Pat and Dave are also considering two BBQ units at the Centenary Field in partnership with Frampton Cotterell Parish Council. This would solve the problem of bench seats being burnt when disposable BBQs are lit on them. Please contact Pat or Dave  ASAP if you would like to support or comment on these suggestions.

Claire Young (pictured above outside the Manor Hall) delivered letters and talked to people living in the
former Council houses in the part of Coalpit Heath she represents. Currently, she plans to spend just over £2000 on providing proper dropped kerbs on Rose Oak Lane near the junction with Badminton Road, so residents with mobility problems from Coalville Road and Woodside Road can get to the bus stop on Badminton Road. Claire is proposing that a similar amount of money is shared at the Manor Hall between the disabled toilets, toddler play equipment and plants for the community garden. If you have any comments, please contact Claire ASAP.

A new village hall and shop in Cromhall and new homes in Falfield

Sandra O'Neill discusses new Post Office plans with Gill White

South Gloucestershire Council has agreed to transfer the land it owns in Townwell to Western Challenge Housing Association. This will enable them to build a one bedroom flat and 2 two bedroom houses for rent along with a replacement community shop and post office. Western Challenge has agreed to relocate the portacabin so that the shop and Post Office can remain open until it is replaced by the new, larger permanent building which will be built along with the houses and flats.

Meanwhile in Falfield, South Glos Council has agreed to transfer the Orchard Garage site to Knightstone Housing Association. This will enable them to provide 2 new 2 bed houses for rent in the village. After hearing local residents’ concerns about parking the Council is proposing to provide 5 on street parking spaces for Orchard view residents as well as access to enable them to park in their gardens.

Play time for under 5s in Westerleigh

 New equipment for toddlers and pre-schoolers has been installed in the play area in Westerleigh.

Claire Young said, “Last year local parents told me the play area was lacking equipment for younger children. So I was delighted to be able to use some of the money allocated to councillors from the transfer of the council houses to Merlin to help the Parish Council buy this new equipment.”

Other contributions from Claire’s share of the money have gone towards a new bench for the playing field and a sign for the village pound, both of which have been ordered by the Parish Council, and new items for the village hall kitchen. In Dodington Parish, plans are underway for planting a new community orchard at Wapley Bushes.

Road safety improvements - Nibley Lane now included

The consultation on the planned safety improvements on the B4465 and Westerleigh Road, including lower speed limits, has been delayed until early February. The good news is that Nibley Lane will now been included in the scheme. Watch this space for more information.

If you’d like to be part of a Community Speedwatch in Codrington, please contact Claire ASAP as a training session is being arranged.

Safer Stronger Community Group - lorry update

At Wednesday's Safer Stronger Community Group, there was an update on the problems of lorries on the country roads around Yate. Following a meeting with local councillors in December, it's been agreed to alter the allowed routes for Morrisons' lorries, so rather than being forced to use Latteridge Road or the A432 out through Old Sodbury, they will now also be allowed to use Wotton Road and the A432 through Coalpit Heath. A letter will be sent to the Owner and Operator of the Depot in the next week to inform them of the change.

Schemes for two 30mph sections along the Latteridge Road (Iron Action By-Pass to Crossing Cottage, and, Latteridge Village to Earthcott) will be included as Executive Member schemes in the 2011/12 draft capital programme and subject to normal consultation.

Once the change has been made, there will be further monitoring to see if additional speed limit changes or crossing points are needed.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included parking on pavements, outside Homestead Garage in Westerleigh and in Coalpit Heath. The Safer Stronger Community Group has its own webpage where among other things you can sign up to the group to be updated with information.

Village Action launch website

Village Action, the group putting together the Parish Plan for Frampton Cotterell, has launched a new website for Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath. If there are groups or activities they've missed out, get in touch with them via email or Facebook to let them know.

Flooding updates

Earlier this month we reported on flooding problems in a number of roads around Coalpit Heath.

Following the site meeting, a new drainage pipe will be laid across Ruffet Road and along the footpath to replace the existing stone culvert. Part of the hedge has been removed to enable access and details of the utilites (gas, water, electricity etc) have been requested as these will be needed before the work can be carried out. The site is next on the list after a road closure for a culvert replacement scheduled in Yate next week.

Street Care will be jetting pipes in Serridge Lane to cleanse the drainage system and determine its route.

There were also reports of flooding in Mayshill and the Council's drainage engineer has requested more details from the Fire Brigade.