Cycle routes - new proposal for Chedworth section of link to Railway Path via Westerleigh

Some months ago South Glos produced proposals for a much-needed cycle route from Yate to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path. Most of the public comments were in favour, but residents of Chedworth objected to a section of the path that would have run between their homes and the railway.

South Glos has now produced a new plan which shows the path entering the south end of Chedworth (nearest to the mini-roundabout). Cyclists would then go up the full length of Chedworth and join a new and upgraded path close to the railway side of the Common, leading to the far end of the Road to Nowhere and then on to Station Road.

This seems to be an improvement, though more detail is needed about the Nibley Lane junction. That would come a little later, as it's just a planning application at the moment.

You can see the new plan on the South Glos website - look for "Revised Plan SPUR - ROUTE 15 - SHEET 03" at the bottom of the list of documents. It's a big file, so if you have any difficulties loading it you may have to right-click and "Save As".

Then near the top of the web page, just under the heading "Summary", you can click on "Comment on Application" to make your views known. So that all points of view are represented properly, we suggest that you put in a comment whether you're for or against the new version of the scheme. Comments should ideally be submitted before mid-September to allow South Glos staff to prepare their report for a meeting about the planning application.

Local bus changes from Sunday September 5

Several changes have been announced to bus services between Yate and Bristol, via Iron Acton and Winterbourne:

• Service X27 - Wessex Connect is taking over the route - details on the South Glos Council X27 bus timetable
  
• Service 327/329 - Timetable changes, one late-night journey extended - details on the South Glos Council 327/329 bus timetable. Sunday services will be run by Wessex Connect.

Timetables for all other services are available from the main South Glos Council bus timetable page.

A Levels - well done, and ignore the cynics!

Congratulations to everyone who got the A Level results they wanted. At this time of year there's always negative press comment saying "It was harder in our day". Ignore it! It's not easier now, it's just different - and often taught better too. Enjoy your success, it's well deserved.

And if you didn't get quite what you wanted, keep an open mind - this year there are fewer universities and colleges with places still available, but maybe you could consider other opportunities such as apprenticeships.

There's an interesting article about the A Level results on the website of Stephen Williams, the MP for Bristol West. 

Involved in a local voluntary group?

The RDPE Community and Social Enterprise Funding is a possible source of funding. They warn that they expect to run out of money before the scheme ends.

If you'd like to find out about other funding possibilities and network with people from other voluntary groups, why not attend the Funders Forum from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Wednesday 15th September at Turnberries in Thornbury. You must book in advance as places are limited - ring 01454 865205 or email projectdev@cvs-sg.org.uk .

Have your say on housing strategy

South Gloucestershire Council are updating their housing strategy and would like to know what your thoughts are on the "Next steps in delivering More Housing, More Choice-Affordable, Sustainable and Better Quality". You can find out more on their website. The deadline for comments is 30th August 2010.

Waitrose plans on view again tomorrow

In case you missed the previous display, the current plans for the Waitrose supermarket and housing development in Chipping Sodbury will be on display again at the Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday 12 August) from 7pm to 9pm, at the request of Sodbury Town Council.

As we mentioned the other day, the plans are also available online here and you can make your comments on the proposal until this Friday, 13 August. On the same web page you can check out the comments other people have already made.

South Parade, Yate: restaurant planning application rejected - for now

A Planning Inspector has rejected the plan for restaurants on South Parade because of the proposed car park that would have replaced the open area around the kiosk and in front of the Post Office. The Inspector said that it would create a hazard near the busy Sundridge Park junction, and that many people would be tempted to walk through a busy car park on their way to the Post Office.

He offered to approve the restaurants without the car park, but the developers didn't accept this. The inspector said that when the new Tesco is in place, with 24-hour opening, there would already be reasonable parking nearby.

We expect to hear more about this area when Tesco is well under way.

Useful information from Trading Standards

Trading Standards have issued some very useful information sheets - click the links to see them:

• Distraction burglaries - vulnerable people can now protect themselves with a password
  
• Rogue Traders - offering to repave driveways, paint roof tiles and repair fascias
  
• Unsolicited callers - these come in many forms, but for example there's a scam offering to paint roof tiles with a special micro-porous paint, but it's often just ordinary paint.

Scott Way - zebra crossing consultation

Many children cross Scott Way on their way to and from school, Kingsgate Park and other destinations. At the moment there's just a refuge island in the middle of the road near the footpath to Merlin Way.

Raysfield Junior School's travel plan group identified the need for a zebra crossing. Investigations have show that the improvment is necessary for improved safety, especially for children (43% of people crossing there are children) and people with mobility problems.

South Glos Council has now produced plans, and the formal consultation (click here) is open until 10 September. If the scheme is then approved it is hoped to do the work by the end of March.

This is a good example of how a community-based group can influence road safety. Well done Raysfield!

Bus fare increases from today

From today (Sunday 8th August), First Bus are increasing all single and return fares in the Bristol Area by 10p for adults and 5p for children, except for longer distance peak returns (those costing over £4 for adults or £3 for children). The First Day ticket in Bristol remains unchanged at £4 for adults.

Joint Waste Core Strategy - the next stage

The four authorities that used to be Avon have been developing a Joint Waste Core Strategy (JWCS) setting out where new waste processing sites should go. On 30th July 2010 they submitted the JWCS Submission Document to the Secretary of State for independent examination. The Secretary of State will appoint a Planning Inspector to examine the ‘soundness’ of the Core Strategy, considering the representations received.

As part of the examination, the Inspector is likely to hold a public hearing. This is currently expected to take place in November 2010, but will be subject to confirmation from the Planning Inspectorate.

The Joint Waste Core Strategy and other supporting documents are available to view on the West of England Partnership’s website.

There have previously been suggestions of a major waste facility being built on the Stover Road estate or the Great Western Business Park.

Are you 14 to 18 years old and a bus user?

Have you got your Youth Unltd discounted bus pass?

If you are a young person in full-time education living in South Gloucestsrshire, the Youth Unltd card gives you half price adult fares on single and return journeys. It is not valid for day/weekly/monthly/annual tickets. You can find out more on the South Glos website.

What next for Rileys in Yate?

Rileys snooker club in Yate, which closed in February, has been offered to Yate Town Council for community use.

It's not yet clear how much it might cost, and what conditions there might be.

The Town Council has asked for more details of the offer.

Yate International Academy building project to go ahead

Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced that Yate International Academy is among the building projects that will go ahead after all, despite a delay while government cuts were being decided.

Steve Webb MP said "I am delighted that the building project at Yate International Academy has been given the go-ahead today"

Meanwhile the Winterbourne International Academy building scheme will have to wait a while for a decision - the government list describes the situation as "capital allocation for notification after spending review", presumably the the Comprehensive Spending Review in October.

Click here for full official list of projects.

Reminder - just a week left to comment on the Chipping Sodbury Waitrose and housing proposal

The plans are online here and you can make your comments on the proposal until 13 August.

On the same webpage you can check out the comments other people have already made.

Flashing blue light and siren behind you - what do you do?

Strangely there's not much in the Highway Code about this, but a new activity on the Avon Fire and Rescue website will get you really thinking about it.

This isn't your usual boring survey - it's really thought-provoking, and the results will help design a public education and awareness campaign about what you should do to help emergency vehicles get through. Please give it a go!

Chinese lanterns causing risk to crops, livestock, property, wildlife

You may have seen some strange "UFO" lights drifting above our area recently. These are Chinese lanterns, wire-framed miniature hot air balloons with a candle inside them.

These can be hazardous for various reasons. In dry weather, when they land they can set fire to crops or even damage conservatories with plastic frames or roofing. If the wire frames get into animal feed they can cause serious injury or death, and if they drop into lakes they can injure wildfowl such as swans.

If you're going to use Chinese lanterns, we suggest that you don't launch them when the ground is dry, and that you only buy versions with a biodegradable alternative to wire.

There's a good video about the dangers on the Direct.Gov website.

Last chance to comment on the Core Strategy (housing) document is Friday!

Don't forget to send your comments in to South Glos by Friday. See our previous post for ideas about what you might say.

Steve Webb explains the issues at the recent

public meeting in the Sports Centre

Speed checks on Church Rd, Frampton Cotterell

A lot of people in our area use Church Road in Frampton Cotterell when they are driving to work. Local people there have been concerned about speeding traffic.

The Camera Safety Partnership have now found a suitable site to park their mobile speed camera and the speed data shows that enforcement is justified, so this month they will be starting to operate this as a "Community Concern" site.

Kingsgate Park assault - did YOU see anything?

Police investigating an allegation of sexual assault in Kingsgate Park, Yate, want to hear from anyone who saw two teenage girls sitting on a pink blanket on Monday July 26th.

On the Avon and Somerset Police website, DI Jill Kells said: "It seems the girls were drinking alcohol and although they have been interviewed by specially-trained officers we don't currently have a clear picture of what has happened.

"One of the girls went home, while the other was found in the park by her parents.

"We believe they had been speaking with four boys aged 16 or 17 during the day and I would ask those boys or anyone else who was in the park on Monday to contact detectives at Staple Hill police station on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively call the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call."

Officers carried out a thorough search of the park and surrounding area, and house-to-house and other enquiries continue.

Ideas for your comments on the Core Strategy (housing) document

The Core Strategy document is very complicated, but that means that there's lots you can say about it.

If you would prefer to have a starting point for your comments, please feel free to copy and modify the text from this page - it's the text from the leaflet that was handed out at the Steve Webb meeting.

Please remember that you need to get your comments in before 6th August - that's Friday!

• There's no need to use the official forms – you can write a letter or email
• Write to Spatial Planning Team, SGC, PO Box 2081 BS35 9BP
• Email planningLDF@southglos.gov.uk
• Send it to Steve Webb at Poole Court to pass on
• Please send a copy of anything to steve@stevewebb.org.uk – or drop it in to Poole Court

Copying Steve in on your comments will help us to keep up the pressure.

Thank you to everyone who has already commented or is about to.