Thursday 8th May decision day for Sainsbury's Local application

It's been confirmed that the Development Control (East) planning committee will consider the Sainsbury's Local application at their meeting starting at 3pm on Thursday 8th May in Kingswood Civic Centre.

You can view the agenda online. As you can see from the report, the officer recommendation is approval, with a long list of conditions. This is just the officer recommendation, it will be for the committee members to make up their minds on the day.

There are 5 minute slots for supporters and objectors to give the committee their views. If you would like to speak, you don't have to give notice but it's best to contact Paul Johnson, the Democratic Services officer who supports the committee, to get yourself on the speaker list. His email is Paul.Johnson@southglos.gov.uk

Parking can be difficult on the roads around the Civic Centre, so if you are attending please allow plenty of time. Although the meeting starts at 3pm, there is another large application before this one on the agenda, the Yate cinema application, so be prepared to be at Kingswood for some time.

If you have any questions, please contact Claire Young.

Church Road finally re-opens

On Sunday afternoon Church Road finally reopened to traffic. As we previously reported, the road was closed on 7th April to move utilities (gas water, electricity and telecoms) apparatus from the existing bridge over the River Frome onto a temporary bridge over the river. The works were planned to take two weeks to complete. All the utility companies coordinated their activities on site and everything went to plan until Bristol Water found obstructions underground that were not on any records. This meant that their diversion works were more complicated than originally expected and additional specialist components had to be fabricated (see picture below). As a result the bridge had to be closed for three weeks rather than two.


The hole shown in the picture on the left will remain until Bristol Water have been able to confirm that laboratory tests show the quality of water going through the diverted water mains is up to the required standard.




This process normally takes several days to complete so temporary three way traffic lights are in operation for Church Road at the junction with Bridge Road / Park Lane (see right). These lights will remain in place until the water quality is confirmed as satisfactory and the mains water diversion is connected and in operation.

There will be another closure for six weeks from 22 July over the peak summer holiday period while the bridge is demolished and replaced and the services reconnected across it. Local Lib Dem Councillors, Dave and Pat Hockey, are keen to ensure that South Glos Highways Engineers look closely at all of the possible risks of delays. They will also make sure that the problems associated with the diversion arrangements over the last 3 weeks are carefully considered and addressed in time for the planned six week closure.

Church Road to remain closed until Sunday

Last week, we reported that the Church Road bridge works had had to be extended by a week due to unforeseen underground obstructions. These hampered work to divert cables and pipes from the existing bridge deck onto the adjacent temporary bridge. Unfortunately a further delay is needed to complete the works and make it all safe for reopening. The bridge is now due to reopen at 2pm on Sunday.

Make sure you're registered to vote!

If you want to vote in the European Parliamentary elections on 22nd May and you are not already registered to vote, the last day to register is 6th May. You can find out more about registering online.

You can find out more online about your local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson, who is standing for re-election. The national Lib Dem website explains why the Lib Dems want us to be IN Europe IN Work.

Targetting hate crime

Have you been the victim of hate crime or harassment? Do you live in fear of physical attack or damage to your property?

The "Working together to stamp out hate crime and harassment" conference aims to bring together individuals who are at risk with representatives of public bodies that can help protect them. It takes place between 9am and 1pm on Monday 12 May 2014 at BAWA, Southmead Road, Filton. You can register online or by calling 01454 868224.

Heritage trails online

Local walk booklets Hatters’ Trails in South Gloucestershire and Heritage walks in Frampton Cotterell and Coalpit Heath have now been made available on the South Glos website. Why not try out a local walk this Easter Bank Holiday weekend?

Living well with dementia

If you or someone in your family has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you can get practical, emotional and health advice at the first in a new series of ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshows takeing place at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Friday 25 April.

The roadshow is intended to provide people with the information they need to understand their diagnosis and make the most of living with dementia. There will be a welcome and overview from a local GP and you will receive a specialist's guide to medication and treatment. There will be talks on managing your legal affairs and a practical session focusing on memory techniques and tips. Experts will be on hand to answer any of your questions and there will be a range of stalls featuring information which is available from local organisations, including support aimed at carers. You will also be able to view a new DVD, featuring local people with dementia and their partners talking about their diagnosis and living well with dementia.

The free event runs from 10.30am to 1pm however places must be booked in advance by using one of the following methods:

• Book online at www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia 
• Complete the booking form found on the flyer/leaflet and return it via freepost 
• Email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk
• Phone 01454 862356 

For more information and details of future roadshows visit www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia