Shire Way and Heron Way won't be left in the dark

After comments from local councillors, South Glos has decided to keep the lights on all night on these roads.

Shire Way will not be converted to part night street lighting because of the pedestrian crossing and traffic calming features - it would be dangerous.

The whole of Heron Way will be kept lit overnight to avoid confusing motorists by lighting going on-off. The subways will also be lit throughout the night.

Good news on energy

Energy prices are soaring hitting everyone, especially the vulnerable. Your Focus Team has won cross-party backing on South Glos Council for two energy initiatives:

• At Dave Hockey’s suggestion, officers are investigating a council-run collective energy switching scheme. £5000 has been identified to piggy back on the Bristol "Switch and Save" scheme (www.bristolswitchandsave.org.uk) which would allow local residents to gain discounts on their power bills of between £60 and £250 pounds per year.
• Claire Young successfully proposed setting aside £15,000 of Invest to Save money to help kick-start a Community Energy Co-op in South Glos. These organisations support communities to develop renewable energy projects, including on community buildings and schools, and offer people a share in the profits of local installations. Bath and West Community Energy (www.bwce.coop) and Bristol Energy Co-op (www.bristolenergy.coop) are both running successfully in neighbouring authorities.

Community Music Festival 2013 in Kingsgate Park 22-23 June

• Sat 22 June 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm - Live music from bands, dance groups and a wide range of entertainment
• Sun 23 June 10.30 am - Praise in the Park with local churches
• Sun 23 June 3.00 pm to 5.00 - Picnic in the Park with live music from Westerly Show Band, Ben Burrows and others

Wet and dry at Chipping Sodbury Festival!

The rain absolutely poured down at lunchtime, but Dodington Parish Band played nevertheless!

Fortunately the weather cleared in time for the Carnival procession (click arrow for slide show):

Chipping Sodbury Festival's Big Weekend

Chipping Sodbury Festival goes out with a real bang this weekend with a whole host of events:

Sat 15 June - All Day Street Fayre and Carnival

1.00 pm Dodington Parish Band
2.00 - 4.30 pm Tower visits at St John's Church
3.00 pm Carnival procession with Avon Glen Pipes and Drums and Panache Steel Band
8.00 pm Last Night of the Proms - Flowers Band  (tickets from the Town Hall, if they've got any left)

Sun 16 June - Winding down!

11.30 am and 12.30 pm Cycle Rides
25 mile ride starting at 11.30, 12 mile family ride starting at 12.30
Meet at the Clock Tower, High Street
Finishing in Jubilee Park by about 2.00 pm

2.00 pm Grand Duck Race on the River Frrome, Jubilee Park organised by Wildlife Trust - refreshemenst available. Sponsoor a duck for £1.00 (adults) or 50p (children) per race. Fun for all!

6.30 pm Festival Songs of Praise in Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church

More details of events from http://www.chippingsodburyfestival.co.uk

Chipping Sodbury Festival gets feet tapping tonight

Chipping Sodbury Festival is well under way, and it's Music in the Street tonight from 7.30 pm - all free!

• Opening with winners of School Battle of the Bands
• Pure Dance Crew
• Main act - Vegas performing Beatles music and other songs from the period

Broad Street will be closed to traffic during the evening.

More Festival details here
Day-By-Day events listings

South Glos consultation on switching Yate street lights off after midnight

During 2013 the council is extending its ‘part-night’ lighting scheme throughout South Gloucestershire. A fifth of South Glos street lights successfully converted to part-night operation so that they are switched off between midnight and 5:00 am GMT in order to reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy.

There is a rolling programme to convert the lights - Yate will be converted during August, and other local areas are also being converted. All street lights will be switched to part-night operation except:

• Places where South Glos consider they help mitigate crime and anti-social behaviour, or improve road safety and reduce accidents
• Lights that are important for the operation of council or police CCTV surveillance cameras
• Lights that are close to 24-hour emergency services such as hospitals
• Lights next to pedestrian crossings and controlled junctions
• Lights next to sheltered housing premises

Lights that meet these criteria will stay on throughout the night.

To see maps of the areas where lights will remain on or be switched off, and to comment on the proposals, please visit this South Glos web page and clcik through to view the plans:
Yate street lighting

South Glos are asking for comments on specific lights that should not be switched off because they fall into the categories above. They are NOT inviting comments on the council's part-night lighting policy overall - the decision to move has already been taken to move to part-night street lighting.

The comments period will run until 15th July.

Update on planning blueprint for South Glos

There is still uncertainty about how many dwellings will have to be accommodated in South Gloucestershire in the next five years and where they should go.

 Local residents were delighted when the Engine Common appeal was dismissed but there was a sting in the tail. The Inspector dealing with it accepted the developer’s evidence that South Gloucestershire Council has not identified enough housing sites that are available during the next five years to meet Government requirements.

The Core Strategy Inspector has recognised that this means that he has to give further consideration to the housing figures. South Gloucestershire Planning Officers need to let him have any comments on the issue by 7th June.

A question mark still hangs over developer-proposed sites which so far the Inspector has not identified for development. 

Chipping Sodbury Youth Club to reopen this Thursday

Chipping Sodbury Youth Club will reopen this Thursday 6th June from 7.00 pm. Then:

• Wednesday 12th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 13th June 7.00pm

• Wednesday 19th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 20th June 7.00pm

• Monday 24th June
• Wednesday 25th June 7.00pm (Music Night)
• Thursday 26th June 7.00pm

The Club will be closing for a week at August Bank Holiday, 2 weeks at Christmas and a week at Easter.